What is Luo Shen Flower?
Among numerous plants with both ornamental and medicinal values, Luo Shen Flower stands out for its unique purple-red calyces and versatile uses. This plant, native to tropical regions, not only has a brilliant appearance but also carries rich cultural connotations and practical value.
Botanical Characteristics and Geographical Distribution
Morphological Characteristics Analysis
As a perennial shrub of the Malvaceae family, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Luo Shen Flower can grow up to 2.5 meters tall. Its distinctive feature is the purple-red to purplish-black fleshy calyces, enveloping the yellow-brown striped corolla. The leaves are palmately lobed, and the stems exhibit a unique dark purplish-red color.
Global Cultivation Status
Originating from the tropical regions of Africa, Luo Shen Flower is now widely distributed in areas between 30°N and 30°S latitudes. In China, it is mainly cultivated in regions with an average annual temperature of 22°C or higher, such as Yuanmou in Yunnan and Zhanjiang in Guangdong, with the Jin Fengxiang in Taitung County developing a distinctive deep processing industry.
Ecological Habits and Planting Management
Growth Environment Requirements
The plant grows best in an environment of 25-30°C, with seedlings requiring shading treatment and mature plants needing full sunlight. It has a wide adaptability to soil pH (4.5-8.0), but grows most vigorously in well-drained sandy loam soil.
Field Management Points
About 6 months after sowing, the plant enters the harvesting period, and attention should be paid to controlling the plant spacing (80×60cm) to ensure ventilation. During the rainy season, drainage ditches should be dug to prevent waterlogging, and in the dry season, a drip irrigation system should be used to maintain soil moisture at around 60%.
Economic Value and Health Application
Food Processing Application
The calyces are rich in Vitamin C (180mg/100g), anthocyanins, and organic acids, which can be made into jam, preserves, and natural pigments. Recent studies have shown that its extract has an inhibitory rate of 72% on α-glucosidase, indicating potential for auxiliary blood sugar control.
Traditional Health Wisdom
A tea drink made by brewing 5-8g of dried calyces in boiling water contains polyphenols (about 2.3g/100g) and is recommended to be paired with wolfberry to adjust its cooling nature. It should be noted that women during their period and those with a cold stomach should control their intake, with a single-day consumption not exceeding 1500ml.
From tropical rainforests to养生 tea cups, Luo Shen Flower has undergone a value transformation across time and space. This plant, which combines ornamental, edible, and medicinal uses, is continuously revealing its deep value through modern technology, showing broad prospects in ecological agriculture and the health industry.