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News: On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) highlights Indigenous food biodiversity and climate resilience.
About Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
- Roselle is scientifically known as Hibiscus sabdariffa and belongs to the Malvaceae family.
- Local Name: It is locally known as Bhenda Dal in Odisha’s Malkangiri district.
- It is also called Mesta in the Indian subcontinent.
- Distribution: It is indigenous to India and Malaysia.
- It is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, including China, Thailand, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Sudan, Egypt, Nigeria and Mexico.
- Key Features
- Climate Resilience: It grows on uplands and hill slopes with minimal external inputs and can grow on marginal land with relatively little water.
- Food Uses: Its tender leaves are cooked as saag or combined with pulses and vegetables.
- Its red flower cups are used for pickles, chutneys and refreshing drinks.
- Nutritional Value: It contains vitamin C, anthocyanins, flavonoids, polyphenols, iron, calcium and dietary fibre.
- Multiple Uses: Its dried calyces are used to prepare tea, syrup, jams and jellies, while different plant parts are used for food, fibre, cosmetics and medicines.
