Japanese name: アカバナトゲアオイ（赤花刺葵） Scientific name:Hibiscus radiatus
[Overview]
A perennial 1.2–2 m tall.
The stem branches freely and has sharp thorns.
The leaves are alternate, 4.5–15 cm long and 6–17 cm wide, deeply palmately divided into 5–7 lobes.
The leaflets are lanceolate, with coarse teeth on the margin that end in needle-like tips.
The petiole is 10–17 cm long, reddish, densely covered with curly hairs, and sparsely armed with sharp thorns.
The flowers are borne singly in the leaf axils and have 5 petals, about 5–10 cm across.
The flower color ranges from pale pink to deep reddish purple, with a darker eye at the center.
The staminal column does not protrude beyond the flower.
The fruit is a capsule.
[History]
Plants introduced to Okinawa in the 1990s have escaped and become naturalized.
[Uses]
The leaves are eaten, and the fiber from the stem bark is made into rope and similar items.
It is also used medicinally.
