Angolans use the mucilaginous leaves as an emollient and as a soothing cough remedy. Central Africans poultice the leaves on abscesses. Seed has properties similar to those of cotton seed oil, and is used as a substitute for crude castor oil. Flowers contain phytosterols. Root contains saponins and tartaric acid.
Aspartic acid is the most common amino acid.
Germplasm Reported from the Indochina-Indonesia to African Centers of Diversity, roselle, or cvs thereof, is reported to tolerate high pH, laterite, low pH, nematodes, and virus. Webster is grown for its fiber, but has inedible calyces. Tolerates a warmer and more humid climate than kenaf, but is more susceptible to damage from frost and fog. Plant exhibits marked photoperiodism, not flowering at shortening days of 13.5 hours, but flowering at 11 hours. In United States plants do not flower until short days of late fall or early winter.