White Hibiscus Tree

The Famine Relief Herbaloriginal: "救荒本草" (Jiu Huang Ben Cao). A seminal 15th-century botanical work by Zhu Xiao, a Ming Dynasty prince, created to help people identify wild plants that could be eaten during crop failures. states: The White Hibiscus Tree grows in the mountain valleys of Liangjiachong in Mi CountyModern-day Xinmi in Henan Province, China..

The tree grows to a height of five to seven feet. The leaves resemble tea leaves, but they are broader, larger, and more glossy. They also resemble the leaves of a newly sprouted Qinggangoriginal: "青岡". A common name for species of evergreen oaks, typically Cyclobalanopsis. but without flowers. Additionally, it resembles the Shangela Treeoriginal: "山格刺樹". Likely a local name for a wild, possibly thorny, mountain shrub.. Its leaves are also large, and it produces white flowers.

The flavor of the leaves is bitter. To prepare them, pick the leaves and scaldoriginal: "煠" (zhá/yè). A traditional culinary technique of quickly boiling or blanching greens to soften them and remove bitter or mildly toxic compounds. them until cooked. Soak them in water and rinse them clean, then season with oil and salt to eat.