Jane Grows Garden Rooms

Australian Bush Tucker Bites presents Sunset Muskmallow (Abelmoschus manihot).

Also known as Queensland Greens, this plant is found in Australia’s tropics, though it covers a number of climate zones across the Asia-Pacific. At the limits of its distribution, it is annual, but it is perennial in some areas; preferring a climate that is humid with average temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius (77F).

This healthy source of greens can yield a whopping 65 tonnes per year!

At 29% protein and full of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids; it’s a wonder that this hasn’t been declared a superfood.

It can be eaten raw or cooked (steamed/stewed) and some claim that its high mucilage can help thicken sauces. Like many green leafy vegetables, the young leaves are more palatable than the mature ones.

If nothing else, beautiful flowers are a feature for any garden!

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This post was originally published on Medium as a part of the “Australian Bush Tucker Bites” series which is also available as an eBook introducing 52 bush food plants from around Australia.