Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus
young leaves are edible raw or cooked. A very mild flavour, though slightly on the tough side, they make an acceptable addition to the salad bowl.
A tea is made from the leaves or the flowers.
The flowers can be eaten raw or cooked. A mild flavour and mucilaginous texture, they are delightful in salads, both for looking at and for eating.
The root is edible but very fibrous. Mucilaginous, without very much flavour.
A low quality fibre is obtained from the stems. It is used for making cordage and paper.
The seed contains about 25% oil. No further details are given, but it is likely to be edible.
A hair shampoo is made from the leaves. A blue dye is obtained from the flowers.
A decoction of the flowers is used in the treatment of itch and other skin diseases, dizziness and bloody stools accompanied by much gas.
A decoction of the root bark is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery and abdominal pain.