Singapore Government Logo

A Singapore Government Agency Website

Hibiscus sabdariffa 'Alba'

Back

Hibiscus sabdariffa 'Alba'

Family Name: Malvaceae

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form A woody shrub with an erect growth habit, and able to grow up to 2 m tall.
Foliage Dark green leaves, lanceolate or tri-lobed shaped with serrated margins (toothed). The tri-lobed leaves are deeply lobed. These two types of leaves may appear on the same plant.
Stems Stem is woody and reddish purple.
Flowers Flower is creamy white with a bright red spot in the centre with white fleshy calyx enclosing the flower base.
Cultivation Plant in a well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Shrub can be pruned to promote branching. Plants are susceptible to attacks by white flies.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Green
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Serrate / Toothed

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Cream / Off-White
Flower Grouping Solitary
Flower Symmetry Radial
Flowering Period Free-Flowering

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 33721
Species ID 8135
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 09 September 2023.
Share