Aibika hibiscus (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. Under favorable conditions, aibika can grow over three meters in height. 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.
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. 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.
