Hibiscus sabdariffa (Jamaica, roselle, sorrel): tea.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: Sorell(not sure of spelling!)
From: klr.shirenet.com (Karen)
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 17:45:11 GMT

The sorrel that the Jamaican drink is made from is Hibiscus sabdariffa also known as Roselle. Seeds are avilable from Richters Seed - They are on the web, though I can't find their URL right off, they should be easy to find through a search. They are in Canada but ship to the US, and probably other countries.

I haven't grown it yet, but will be trying the plants this year in our herb garden and hope that they will produce flowers in one season. I garden at Brookside Gardens,Wheaton MD, Z6b where it is not hardy. At least it's tropical here in the summer. :> I would love to here from anyone who has grown it outside the tropics on culture and results.

The part of the plant that is used is the fleshy calex left after the bloom is finished. This is the hibiscus that is the basis for many herb teas like red zinger. It is not Wood Sorrel - Oxalis sp. or the sorrel used as a pot herb - Rumex acetosella, but an entirely different and unrelated plant. Witness the difficulties with common names -- Really NASTY drinks!

Also if anyone knows where I could obtain already started plants
please let me know.

Karen Russ