Hibiscus cannabinus Kenaf (Malvaceae)

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Hibiscus cannabinus
Kenaf
(1 Page of 5)

The Hibiscus cannabinus plant species is found in Original habitat is obscure, it probably arose in the tropics of Asia or America. It is a member of the Malvaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Kenaf.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Hibiscus cannabinus
Common Name:  Kenaf
Family:  Malvaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  1.8   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Not known in the wild.

General Uses: Yields a fibre from the stem[1, 123], a very good jute substitute though it is a bit coarser[61]. Used for making string, nets, table cloths etc74, 123]. The stems should be harvested shortly after the flowers open[171]. Yields of about 1.25 tonnes of fibre per hectare have been obtained[74]. The seed contains between 18 and 35% of an edible semi-drying oil[61, 74]. It is rather similar to groundnut oil, obtained from Arachis hypogaea[240]. The oil is also used for burning and in industry[46, 61, 74]. The seed yield varies from 2 to 10 tonnes per acre[74] (or is it per hectare?).

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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