Family: Malvaceae

Hibiscus acetosella (African rosemallow, cranberry hibiscus) is a perennial subshrub native to Africa. It is valued for its ornamental foliage and fruits. This plant is sometimes confused with the roselle plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa) thus it also has the nickname false roselle. The fruits and leaves of this plant are both edible. The leaves are slightly sour and sometimes presented as a side dish with rice or added in small quantities to other dishes. The plant is rich in bioactive compounds. It has been used in Angola as a medicine post fever and to treat anemia. In East Africa, children are washed with cold water mixed with mashed leaves of the plant to treat body aches. This plant has not been documented as naturalized in any Hawaiian Islands to date.

High Risk Traits:

• Grows, and capable of spreading in regions with tropical climates
  
• Naturalized or escaped from cultivation in SE Asia (no evidence in Hawaiian Islands to date)
  
• Other species have become invasive
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds and cuttings
  
• Self-fertile
  
• Capable of reaching maturity in one year or more
  
• Seeds dispersed by humans (intentionally and possibly unintentionally)
  
• Seeds able to be stored for extended periods; May form a persistent seed bank
  
• Tolerates and resprouts after heavy pruning

Low Risk Traits:

• Despite some references of weediness, no negative impacts have been documented where cultivated
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Foliage palatable to animals and people
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Herbicides provide effective control of Hibiscus if needed