Hibiscus tiliaceus L.

Agriculture - Forestry

Common Name

Sea Hibiscus, Beach Hibiscus, Linden Hibiscus, Cotton Tree, Baru Baru, Bebaru, Mahoe, 黄槿

Cultivation

Fast-growng, requiring little maintenance, tolerates poor soils. Prune away suckers from base of trunk, if single or double trunk is desired. Easily propagated by seeds, stem cuttings and basal suckers. Roots easily, large branches can be cut and rooted in polybags to form 'instant trees'.

Culture/Religious

Desirable Plant Features

Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage

Diseases

Edible Parts

Edible Leaves

Family Name

Malvaceae

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna

Flower & Plant Sexuality 1

Flower Colour(s)

Flowering Period

Food: Fruit & Vegetable

Fruit & Vegetable

Food: Fruit & Vegetable Description

Growth Characteristics

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Bee-Attracting Plant

Growth Form

Small shrubby tree, up to 15m height in rich soils. Crown spreading to rounded, with many branches.

Herb and Spice Description

Lifespan (in Singapore)

Perennial

Light Preference

Maintenance Requirements

Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms

Maximum Height

15 m

Medicinal

Native Distribution

Pantropic - Tropical Africa, Americas, Pacific, Indian Ocean, Southern China, Malesia, Northern Australia

Others

Medicinal: Mature leaves used to treat fevers and coughs, leaf sap used as laxative or a lubricant for childbirth. Flowers used to treat ear infections and abscesses. Bark mucilage prescribed for dysentry in Philippines. Food: Young leaves eaten as vegetable. Products: Lightweight wood made into planks, outrigger canoes and household implements. Fibre from inner bark used to make ropes, fishing nets and hammocks. Wood can be rubbed vigorously with another piece of hardwood to start a fire. Seeds used in oinments, perfumes and oils for hair.

Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance

Saline Soils / Salt Spray

Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site)

Easy to Grow

Plant Characteristics

Fruit or Vegetable

Tree

Ornamental Flowers

Coastal Plant

Herb or Spice

Plant Growth

Tree (Small (6m-15m), Shrubby (1m-5m))

Plant Growth Rate

Planting Distance From

Pollination Method(s)

Potential Problems

Preferred Climate Zone

Tropical

Propagation Method

Seed or Spore Germination Duration From

Specialised Storage Organ(s)

Timber & Products

Water Preference