Chief Kubo’s South Sea Salad Tree

A very decorative and delicious relative of hibiscus, okra, and cacao, Chief Kubo’s™ South Sea Salad Tree is another subtropical edible and perennial green that makes an excellent windowsill plant and a fine addition to any salad or stir-fry! Chief Kubo’s deeply palmate leaves and bright red petioles will brighten up any dish.

*These plants currently have pearl bodies, sometimes known as pearl glands, along their stems and leaves. Pearl bodies are very small, clear balls containing lipids, sugars, proteins and carboydrates. Though they look like insect eggs, these are actually exudates from the stomata that function much like extra-floral nectaries on Passiflora species by feeding ant species in exchange for protection from herbivory from other insects. Yet another case of plant-ant mutualism and further evidence that plants and ants just might rule the world. These pearl bodies are completely non-toxic to us and likely provide small amounts of nutrients when we consume them.

Latin Name: Abelmoschus manihot
Site and Soil: Chief Kubo’s South Salad Sea Tree grows well in sun or shade but semi-shade is preferred outdoors
Hardiness: This plant can tolerate a light frost and grow back from the roots but should be grown indoors in areas that receive freezing temperatures
Bearing Age: Immediately
Size at Maturity: 3 foot tall x 2-4 feet wide
Pests & Diseases: Does not appear to be susceptible to any pests or diseases in our climate, possibly aphids indoors
USDA Zone: 9-11