Definition

Noun: 1. A tropical plant: "Jamaica sorrel" refers to a plant species, specifically Hibiscus sabdariffa, native to parts of Africa and Asia but widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, including the Caribbean. 2. Source of edible parts and fiber: The plant is cultivated primarily for its fleshy, red calyxes (the outer part of the flower) which are used in food and drinks, and for its bast fiber (used for making rope or cordage).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The gardener planted Jamaica sorrel to make homemade sorrel drink.
  • Jamaica sorrel is also known as roselle in many countries.
  • The fibers from the stem of the Jamaica sorrel plant are quite strong.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical Context: In botanical or agricultural texts, "Jamaica sorrel" is used to specify the cultivar or common name for , distinguishing it from other sorrel plants (e.g., common sorrel, ).
  • The study compared the anthocyanin content in the calyces of Jamaica sorrel to other hibiscus varieties.

Variants and Related Words

• Roselle (n): The most common alternative name for the same plant ().
• Hibiscus sabdariffa (n): The formal botanical Latin name for the species.
• Sorrel (n): A general term for several sour-leaved plants; when used in Caribbean or specific culinary contexts, it often refers to Jamaica sorrel/roselle.
• Florida cranberry (n): Another regional name for the same plant, used in the southeastern United States.

Synonyms

• Roselle
• Red sorrel
• Indian sorrel (in some contexts)

Notes on Meaning

• The term "Jamaica" in "Jamaica sorrel" refers to its common association with and use in the Caribbean, particularly Jamaica, not necessarily its origin. The plant itself is not native to Jamaica.
• It is important to distinguish this from "sorrel" alone, which can refer to different, unrelated plants with a sour taste (like ). "Jamaica sorrel" is specific.

Noun

1. East Indian sparsely prickly annual herb or perennial subshrub widely cultivated for its fleshy calyxes used in tarts and jelly and for its bast fiber