Hibiscus cannabinus

Wild stockrose, Deccan hemp, kenaf, ambari hemp

Erect shrub 1-1.5 m high, with many branches and leaves covered with hair. Leaves palmately cut, 10-15 cm long. Flowers 5-8 cm in diameter, light yellow with dark-purple centre. Fruit conical, 1-2 cm long containing numerous hairy seeds. Sometimes cultivated for fibre, which is used in bag manufacturing. New varieties used as a raw material in the paper industry may become important as cattle feeds. The stem is largely cellulose which can be digested by ruminants and contains relatively large amounts of ether extract which can serve as a source of energy. The leafy parts of the new varieties often contain as much as 30% protein. Young plants ensile easily.

					As % of dry matter
				DM	CP	CF	Ash	EE	NFE	Ca	P	Ref
Fresh stem, India					15.0	19.9	8.2	5.8	51.1	2.08	0.50	379
Leaves, dried,
India					13.1	11.6	11.8	2.1	61.4	3.31	0.35	359
Seeds, South
Africa				91.5	27.2	25.1	6.1	15.4	26.2	0.60	0.63	193