Kenaf

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Abelmoschus congener
• Hibiscus cannabinus var. punctatus
• Hibiscus cannabinus var. tripartitus
• Hibiscus sabdariffa subsp. cannabinus
• Hibiscus cannabinus var. simplex
• Hibiscus cannabinus var. viridis
• Hibiscus verrucosus
• Hibiscus cordofanus
• Furcaria cannabina
• Ketmia glandulosa
• Hibiscus congener
• Hibiscus cannabinus var. chevalieri
• Hibiscus malangensis
• Hibiscus henriquesii
• Hibiscus verrucosus var. punctatus
• Hibiscus asper
• Hibiscus obtusatus
• Abelmoschus verrucosus
• Furcaria cavanillesii
• Hibiscus vanderystii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malvales, it is classified under the family Malvaceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement is completed within the genus Hibiscus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across the globe. In Middle Europe, it can be found growing within the borders of Hungary. Moving toward the Mediterranean, it is located in the Southeastern European region of Kriti. Its presence extends through Eastern Europe, specifically throughout Ukraine and South European Russia. Finally, the species reaches the Atlantic reaches of Macaronesia in Cape Verde.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hibiscus cannabinus is characterized by its adaptability to various terrain types within a specific altitudinal gradient. This species typically thrives at elevations ranging from a minimum of 15 m AMSL to a maximum of 1250 m AMSL. In terms of environmental preferences, it is most frequently found colonizing dense secondary shrub and rudeeral vegetation, where it can compete effectively within disturbed or developing plant communities.

Elevational range max:

1250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

15 m AMSL

Habitat :

dense secondary shrub and ruderal vegetation

Life history

The life history of Hibiscus cannabinus is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological process of germination, growth, flowering, and seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its botanical life form, it is classified as a therophyte, a strategy where the plant survives unfavorable environmental conditions primarily through highly resistant seeds, with the vegetative body dying off completely at the end of the season. This therophytic nature is consistent across its structural classifications, defining its growth habit as a seasonal entity that relies on rapid development to reach maturity before the onset of senescence.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Hibiscus cannabinus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, exhibiting a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a liana or vine. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any epiphytic tendencies. The plant displays significant variability in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.69 m to a maximum of approximately 4.57 m, maintaining an average height of 2.06 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4.572055596 m

Plant height mean:

2.06 m

Plant height min:

0.69 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hibiscus cannabinus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic carbon fixation processes and environmental adaptations. The morphological development of its foliage exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 11 cm, maintaining a mean length of approximately 6.5 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.6 cm and a maximum of 2 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external nitrogen sources within the soil rather than symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation to support its growth and nutritional requirements.

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.6 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hibiscus cannabinus is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and specialized pollination mechanisms. The plant typically enters its flowering stage in July and continues its blooming period through September. Its reproductive success relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically driven by insects, with bees identified as a key pollinator. In terms of genetic strategy, self-fertilization is present within the species. The resulting seeds exhibit varying physical dimensions, with a minimum seed mass of 0.00551 g, a mean seed mass of approximately 0.017685266 g, and a maximum seed mass reaching up to 0.058 g.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.058 g

Seed mass mean:

0.017685266 g

Seed mass min:

0.00551 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hibiscus cannabinus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Hibiscus cannabinus has 29 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, 1-Octadecanesulphonyl chloride, 1-ethyl-2,4-dimethyl-Benzene, 9-Oximino-2,7-diethoxyfluorene, CA.

Flavonoids

1. Plant cell reports
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

1-Octadecanesulphonyl chloride

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

1-ethyl-2,4-dimethyl-Benzene

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

9-Oximino-2,7-diethoxyfluorene

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

CA

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

CHLOROFORM

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cianidanol

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

HEPTACOSANE

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Hibiscetin

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Activities

Hibiscus cannabinus has 8 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiapoptotic, Antidepressant, Antimalarial, Antioxidant, Antiplasmodial.

Antiapoptotic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidepressant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anxiolytic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Sedative

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tonic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Hibiscus cannabinus has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, Salt Stress, malaria, salt stress.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations