Turk's cap (malvaviscus)

Malvaviscus arboreus

flower · fruit

Red flowers that never open, mild and mucilaginous, raw in salads or as tea, and small red fruits tasting of apple.

Origin

Mexico and Central America

Where to find it

Planted everywhere as a hedge in gardens in warm countries, from Texas to Brazil.

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

The flowers are picked fresh, without their green base, and eaten raw; the small ripe fruits are eaten too.

Molecules

In small amounts, not counted Mucilages · Anthocyanins

Did you know?

It is called “sleeping hibiscus”: its flower stays furled like a turban.