Abelmoschus manihot ‘Kiko’s Crump’ – South Sea Salad Bele Tree – Malvaceae (The Mallow Family)

Description Abelmoschus manihot ‘Kiko’s Crump’ is a south sea salad bele tree cultivar that has long been used as a leafy vegetable in the subtropics and tropics. This intriguing subtropical hibiscus relative has large, spinach-like leaves supported by red stems that bleed up into the foliage’s sunken veins. Plants can reach 6-8 feet tall but usually less our northern climates. When your spinach and lettuce plants bolt in early summer, this heat-tolerant subtropical takes over with its edible pale yellow flowers and large, buttery-tender leaves. May be consumed fresh or cooked. A very prolific producer with leaves as large as a slice of bread. Said to be high in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, iron and protein. Use the leaves and flowers raw in salads or cook the leaves like spinach. Enjoy in outdoor containers in part to full sun during the growing season and then bring indoors to overwinter as a houseplant. This species is considered zone 8 hardy so it could overwinter outdoors in protected microclimates with a deep mulch.