Japanese name: トロロアオイ Scientific name:Abelmoschus manihot
[Overview]
A perennial 1–2 m tall, treated as an annual in Japan.
It has thick roots.
The stem is erect and, like the leaves, covered with stiff hairs.
The leaves are alternate and large, about 15–30 cm across, palmately divided into 5–9 lobes.
The lobes are lanceolate, about 8–18 cm long and 1–6 cm wide, often further pinnately divided, with toothed margins.
The petiole is 6–18 cm long.
A raceme at the stem tip bears flowers about 10–20 cm across.
The flowers resemble hibiscus; they are yellow with a dark crimson base.
The flowers open in the morning and wilt by evening.
The fruit is a capsule, ovoid-oblong, 4–5 cm long and 2.5–3 cm across, with 5 ridges and covered with stiff hairs.
[Uses]
The root is used medicinally, and the mucilage obtained from the root is used as neri (a binder) in papermaking.
The flowers are also edible.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It is easy to grow, and in warm regions it can overwinter if cut back close to the ground and protected from the cold.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained site.
The plants grow large, so space them at least 50 cm apart.
Rainfall is sufficient for watering.
If basal fertilizer is applied, no further fertilizing is particularly necessary.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
