Edible greens: 'Hibiscus spinach' or 'Sunset hibiscus' Hisbiscus manihot or Abelmoschus
manihot
This needs sorting out. The best reference is Preston, S. R. 1991. Aibika/Bele. Abelmoschus
manihot (L.) Medik. Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected
crops. 24. Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gaterleben/International
Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Italy
The centre of origin is Sulawesi-New Guinea. North Asia is a mistaken reading for China,
meaning south China, where the plant is thought to be native. But this does not mean it
originated there (Preston 1991:26). The best guess is that the smooth-leafed cultivated
forms were brought into cultivation somewhere within the Sulawesi-Maluku-New Guinea area.
According to Preston, aibika is from Kuanua. ailan cabis in bislama. Sunset hibiscus in
Hawaii.