Hibiscus sabdariffa roselle Hibiscus sabdariffa L. The roselle (*Hibiscus sabdariffa*) is a species of Hibiscus native to the Old World tropics, used for the production of bast fibre and as an infusion. It is an annual or perennial herb or woody-based subshrub, growing to 2-2.5 m (7-8 ft) tall. The leaves are deeply three- to five-lobed, 8-15 cm (3-6 in) long, arranged alternately on the stems. The flowers are 8-10 cm (3-4 in) in diameter, white to pale yellow with a dark red spot at the base of each petal, and have a stout fleshy calyx at the base, 1-2 cm (0.39-0.79 in) wide, enlarging to 3-3.5 cm (1.2-1.4 in), fleshy and bright red as the fruit matures. It takes about six months to mature. [Wikipedia] red-sorrel Hibiscus