Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex Ficalho

Subshrubs, 1–2(–4) m, herbage usually dark red throughout, glabrous, rarely sparsely hairy. Stems with line of fine, curved hairs. Leaves: stipules linear-lanceolate, (8–)10–15 mm; petiole 1/2 to ± equaling blade, with fine, curved hairs adaxially; blade usually dark red, broadly to transversely ovate, usually deeply 3–5-lobed, 4–10 × 3.5–10 cm, base broadly cuneate to truncate, margins crenate or crenate-serrate, apex acute to acuminate, lobes narrowly elliptic or narrowly obovate, surfaces glabrate, prominent slitlike nectary present abaxially on midvein near base. Inflorescences solitary flowers in axils of distal leaves, sometimes together appearing racemose by reduction of subtending leaves. Pedicels jointed near middle, to 1.2 cm; involucellar bractlets 8–10, terete, 0.6–1.6 cm, margins setose, apices 2-fid or appendaged. Flowers horizontal; calyx divided nearly 2/3 length, funnelform-campanulate, 1.2–2 cm, lobes triangular, with 3 prominent ribs, 2 marginal, 1 medial, medial bearing nectary, apices acuminate, veins setose with pustular-based, simple hairs; corolla funnelform-rotate, petals cream, yellow, or dull pink to dull red with veins usually darker pink, maroon basally, asymmetrically obovate, 3–5.5 × 2.5–4.5 cm, margins repand, finely hairy abaxially where exposed in bud; staminal column straight, maroon, 1.5–2.5 cm, bearing filaments nearly throughout, free portion of filaments not secund, 1.5–2.5 mm; pollen yellow; styles maroon, to 1 mm; stigmas maroon. Capsules reddish brown, ovoid, 1.6–2.5 cm, apex acute or short-acuminate, weakly antrorsely hispid with simple, scattered, loose hairs. Seeds olivaceous brown, angulately reniform-ovoid, 3.5–4 mm, papillose-scaly, scales pectinate. 2n = 72.

Not known in the wild in a truly wild situation, but naturalized on the edge of forests; savannah; fallow land; forest clearings; indigenous cultivations; humid places.

The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. They can be steamed or put into soups and stews. They are often wilted in the sun. The young pods can also be used. The seeds can be roasted and used as a coffee drink. The flower petals are eaten as a drink. The root can be eaten but has little taste and is fibrous.

Plants are grown from seeds. Seed are planted about 1 cm deep and 1 m apart. It can also be grown by cuttings. It can be grown as a hedge.