Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Griffin, Georgia » Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #248742
Title: Evaluation for morphological, reproductive, anthocyanin index, and flavonol traits in ornamental and nutraceutical producing Hibiscus species

Author
item Morris, John - Brad
item Wang, Ming

Submitted to: Ornamental Plants: Types, Cultivation and Nutrition
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2010
Publication Date: 4/28/2011
Citation: Morris, J.B., Wang, M.L. 2011. Evaluation for morphological, reproductive, anthocyanin index, and flavonol traits in ornamental and nutraceutical producing Hibiscus species. Ornamental Plants: Types, Cultivation and Nutrition. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Publishers. p.111-127.

Interpretive Summary: Leaves of Hibiscus species contain many useful chemicals for use as nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. Little information for chemcial trait variability and growth of Hibiscus species in Georgia is known. Hibiscus species produced quality plants and up to 8,801 seeds at Griffin, GA. In addition, Hibiscus leaves produced anthocyanin indexes and flavonols in variable amounts. Quality production and healthy chemicals exists in Hibiscus species for use in the southern U.S.A.

Technical Abstract: A collection of twenty accessions representing 11 diverse Hibiscus species were evaluated for morphological, anthocyanin index, flavonol variability, and association correlations for these traits. While considerable variation in all morphological traits were found, H. radiatus produced the tallest plants with the greatest amoung of branching and foliage, and highest seed numbers during 2006. Both H. calyphyllus and H. sabdariffa produced more seed in the filed during 2007 than they did in a greenhouse during 2006. Hibiscus mutabilis produced the most seed during 2008. Field grown Hibiscus produced higher anthocyanin indexes than either polyhouse or greenhouse grown plants. Plants producing red leaves had the highest anthocyanin indexes as well with H. cannabinus significantly exceeding all other species. Overall, anthocyanin indexes produced from field grown plants peaked during September, 2007 and August, 2008. Hibiscus brackenridgei leaves produced the most quercetin and H. diversifolius produced the most kaempferol. However, both H. radiatus and H. cannabinus (PI343137) produced significantly more kaempferol than all other accessions. Significant correlations occurred for most of the morphological traits tested. Based on morphological traits, anthocyanin indexes, and flavonol content, sufficient variability exists in these Hibiscus species for breeding projects and for use as nutraceutical or medicinal plants.