The Confederate Rose (Hibiscus mutabilis) is also known as Dixie Rosemallow, or the Cotton Rosemallow, or in China as Mu Rong Hua and is highly prized for its blousy and showy flowers.

It grows to be shrubby or tree like and the flowers can be double or single which tend to bloom into the autumn. They are between 4–6 in in diameter and they open white or pink, and change to deep red by evening and all three colours of the flowers can occasionally be seen at the same juncture on the same plant, This is considered, although not entirely understood, to be the result of temperature changes throughout the day although some posit it may have more to do with changing light levels. Whatever the reason – its a charming effect.

The ‘Rubra’ variety has red flowers. Single blooming flowers are generally cup-shaped.

The Confederate rose can reach heights of 12–15 ft and has a woody trunk and a very fast growing. It prefers a well drained but rich and fertile soil and judicious pruning will encourage the plant to bush out and produce more flowering heads than if left alone to grow.

Medicinal Uses for the Confederate Rose as a Herb:-

In traditional Chinese Medicine the herb is used in decoction to treat coughs, menorrhagia, leukorrhea and a blood coolant and detoxification herb, Some practitioners use it for oedema. It is an expectorant and and good demulcent and is often used with cleansing and protecting minor wounds, paricularly scalding or burns.

Constituents of the Confederate Rose as a Herb:-

flavonoid glycosides, Phenols, Animo acids, Tannins, flavonoids, Isoquercitri, Cyanidin 3, 5-diglucoside,  Hyperoside, Rutin,  Quercetin-4,  Quercimeritrin,  Anthocyanin,  betulinic acid,  β-Sitosterol