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Monday, 14 January 2019

Kimberley flowers - the Rosella

I was going back through my Kimberley photos the other day from our trip in 2016, and was reminded about the amazing edible Rosella plant - Hibiscus Sabdariffa.  This delicious bush tucker plant is thought to have been brought to Australian from Sri Lanka by Indonesian fishermen, thousands of years ago. Since then the Australian Rosella has developed its own unique characteristics and thrives in the northern parts of Australia.


 At first we thought it was a weed, as it looked out of place and very weed like (ie more succulent than an native Australian plant in the Kimberley), but then we discovered it was the Rosella plant. No wonder it looks out of place as, even though it had been here for thousands of years, it is not strictly a native of Australia. But obviously it does very well in the north.




However the flowers of the Rosella are delicious, and whenever we saw one on our walks I couldn't resist plucking off a couple of flowers to nibble on.


The red edible calyxes are high in vitamin C with a tart-sweet flavour which goes well in salads, jellies, red sauces, jams, cordials, syrups, fruit teas and wine. I tasted jam made by a friend in the Kimberley, but have never made it myself as it requires a great number of calyxes, but I can guarantee it is absolutely delicious. I purchased a couple of jars in Broome and brought them back home with me. You can also buy Rosella flowers in syrup, which I haven't tried myself, but I'm told are also delicious. Here is a recipe from Tucker Bush.com - Rosella Jam



So there you have it - the Rosella plant. You can find out more information here - Rosella - Tucker Bush.com
ps - I am not promoting any particular product or company.

You might also like:
The wildflowers are blooming in the Kimberley 
On the road through the Kimberley 
The Kimberley Boab Tree 

 Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. I hope your 2019 has started well. My January seems to be very busy! Have a wonderful week. 

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15 comments:

  1. Angie14 January 2019 at 12:10

    Jill - if I encountered this plant in the wild, I would not have imagined eating the flowers. But then I consider the rose hip, which is made into tea … Nature can provide if we open our minds to it! Thanks for linking to MM with this "jammy" treat!

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  2. riitta k14 January 2019 at 14:14

    I knew nothing about this Rosella plant, thank you for the info. Happy MM.

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  3. Su-sieee! Mac14 January 2019 at 16:09

    It is a pretty plant. Being a hibiscus, I wonder if the flower is larger in its native land. I read that it's drought tolerant, be interesting to grow it here in California.

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    1. Jill Harrison14 January 2019 at 19:48

      I bought one in a garden centre here, but unfortunately it died. Too cold probably. The northern part of Australia is VERY hot and wet in summer, and warm and dry in winter.

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  4. Jesh - All Seasons15 January 2019 at 09:47

    Jello Jill,
    So pretty - these Kimberly flowers! Love the shape of the Rosella.
    From my mother I remember from my childhood the Rose-syrup, to make
    rose-lemonade. Always assumed that it came from the common )tea) roses, but now I wonder if was the Rosella, since they lived in Indonesia and Australia is not far from there - thinking about plants in you area of the world).
    Wishing you and your family a belated New Year -
    mine started much busier than I expected
    Your post is a great start of 2019 for All Seasons!
    Junieper/Jesh StG

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    Replies
    1. Jill Harrison15 January 2019 at 09:54

      I am fairly sure that rose hip jam syrup etc is made from traditional roses - I just found this - https://www.eatweeds.co.uk/rosehip-syrup-recipe

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    2. Jesh - All Seasons15 January 2019 at 11:26

      thanks so much for the link! Also a memory from childhood was a rosehip jam on the table (store bought)! And I loved it:) Jesh StG

      Delete
  5. italiafinlandia15 January 2019 at 15:24

    This is totally new to me. Nice to know it!

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  6. Tamar SB16 January 2019 at 21:48

    Such pretty colors!

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  7. Catherine Goron17 January 2019 at 22:10

    Beautiful Jill! ...the color is so vibrant! I’m learning lots of fascinating things about your country and Sri Lanka these day

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  8. Pieni Lintu18 January 2019 at 03:50

    Thanks for sharing :)

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  9. Sharon19 January 2019 at 02:14

    This is a new one to me -- related to the larger hibiscus. It's lovely, as well as edible.

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  10. Unknown19 January 2019 at 13:31

    I have made a few batches of rosella jam over the years, it is a favourite in our house. It is a bit annoying to make as you need to take out the middles. I need to get some bushes going again, one or two is all you need. What a great find.

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  11. Anne@gritandgiggles19 January 2019 at 13:32

    I have made a few batches of rosella jam over the years, it is a favourite in our house. It is a bit annoying to make as you need to take out the middles. I need to get some bushes going again, one or two is all you need. What a great find.

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  12. Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit21 January 2019 at 06:09

    Rosella Jam! Now that's something I'd love to try

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