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Ultra-Niche Crops Series: Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Production and Marketing in New Jersey

Albert Ayeni, Meredith Melendez, Andrew Rysanek and, Mara Sanders (November, 2018)

Summary

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is an annual or perennial shrub in the Malvaceae (cotton or okra) family. It is a major cash crop in China, Sudan, and Thailand and a minor vegetable crop in several other tropical and subtropical countries around the world. The origin of roselle is unclear. Some ethnobotanists identify Sudan in North Africa as the center of origin (Mohamed et al. 2012) while others suggest India to Malaysia (Morton 1987). There are two major strains: Hibiscus sabdariffa var. altissima Wester which is important for the high quality fiber, and H. sabdariffa var. sabdariffa which is important for food uses. All roselle types have traditional medicinal values; and applications vary widely among cultures all around the world. This fact sheet focuses on three broad roselle types that are particularly suitable for New Jersey: H. sabdariffa var. sabdariffa: ruber with red or variegated edible calyx, and albus with green edible calyx; and Indian Green (Hibiscus cannabinus), a kenaf that is more important for the high quality fiber.