Abelmoschus manihot, commonly known as aibika, is a flowering plant in the family Malvaceae. It is a tropical subshrub or shrub native to the Indian subcontinent, Indochina, central and southern China, Malesia, New Guinea, and Queensland. It is cultivated and eaten as a leaf vegetable, among other uses. It was previously classified as a species of Hibiscus but is now categorized under the genus Abelmoschus. This plant is also referred to as the sunset muskmallow, sunset hibiscus, or hibiscus manihot.

Growth Habit

Under favorable conditions, aibika can grow over three meters in height. It is easily propagated through cuttings and relatively disease-resistant. As a result, it is widely cultivated and often found along garden borders or as an intercrop in traditional tropical gardens. Its growth habit, along with its nutritional value, contributes to its popularity in home gardening and horticulture.

Nutrition and food use

Aibika is renowned for its highly nutritious properties. Its leaves are rich in essential vitamins, including a high content of vitamins A and C, as well as iron. Moreover, they contain approximately 12% protein by dry weight, making aibika a valuable dietary source. In the Philippines, where it is known as lagikwayamong other names, the leaves are commonly incorporated into various dishes such as tinola, sinigang, pinangat, or used in salads. In Indonesia, where it is known as daun gedi (gedi leaf), it is used in various dishes, most famously bubur Manado. Aibika is the most popular and commonly-consumed indigenous green leafy vegetable in Papua New Guinea.

Other uses

Apart from its culinary uses, aibika has additional applications in different cultures. Its mucilage is used in traditional papermaking. In Japan, it is known as tororo aoi and is utilized to produce neri, a starchy substance used in traditional Japanese papermaking (washi). Similarly, in Korea it is referred to as hwang chok kyu and plays a role in making dak pul, an ingredient used in the production of hanji, Korean paper.

Chemical constituents

A chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis published in China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica revealed the presence of thirteen compounds in aibika. These compounds include myricetin, cannabiscitrin, myricetin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, glycerolmonopalmitate, 2, 4-dihydroxy benzoic acid, guanosine, adenosine, maleic acid, heptatriacontanoic acid, 1-triacontanol, tetracosane, β-Sitosterol, and beta-sitosterol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside.