Hibiscus tiliaceus L.

Waru (Hibiscus tiliaceus) is a tree 5-10 meters tall of the Malvaceae family that grows along the coasts of the Indian Ocean, from East Africa to Australia. This tree has long been known as a shade plant along roadsides and beaches, while its young leaves are commonly used as a tempeh wrapper. Waru is also traditionally believed to help hair growth and relieve fever.

A tropical plant commonly found along beaches at elevations up to 800 m above sea level. Grows well with annual rainfall of 900-2,500 mm/year, average temperature 24-41°C. Prefers full sunlight intensity, fertile soil pH 5-8.5 with high humidity.

• Stem up to 15 m tall, stem diameter 40-50 cm, branching brown in color.
• Leaves single, stalked, heart-shaped, not lobed, diameter less than 19 cm, palmate, hairy underside.
• Flowers single, 8-11 lobed, yellow in color. Calyx length 2.5 cm. Petals fan-shaped, 5-7 cm long, yellow with a spot at the base, yellow anthers.
• Fruit ovary 5-chambered, each chamber divided in two by a false septum, egg-shaped with a short beak with 5 valves, containing many seeds

• Propagated by seed and stem cuttings.
• Stem cuttings are done by selecting young twigs, cutting 10-15 cm below the bud eye then planting in a polybag.

Flavonoids, tannins, vanillin, syriacusin A, hibiscolactone, fumaric acid, azelaic acid, succinic acid, rutin, stigmasterol, friedelin, pachysandiol, glutinol, lupeol, β-sitosterol.

Fever remedy, cough, diarrhea, tonsils, trachoma, eye inflammation, boils, colds, helps hair growth, addresses delayed menstruation.

• Wash waru flowers thoroughly of attached dirt with running water.
• Place in a clean flat container, space the flowers apart so they don't pile up.
• Dry in the sun covered with a thin black cloth until completely dry.
• Store the dried waru flowers in a clean glass bottle then close tightly and place away from heat.

Siron, Buluh, Bou, Tob, Melanding (Sumatra), Dadap laut (Pontianak), Waru laut, Waru lot, Waru lenga (Java), Wau, Kabaru, Fau (Nusa Tenggara), Papatale, Haru, Balo (Maluku), Lamogu, Molowagu (Sulawesi), Kasyanaf, Wakati (Papua).