Kenaf - Gongura
Stems with Leaves [Kenaf (Persia, US); Gongura, Ambary, Deccan Hemp (India); Teel (Africa); Java jute (Indonesia); Hibiscus cannabinus]

This is a plant of many uses: rope fiber, paper, edible leaves, oil, animal feed and bedding, fiberboard, engineered wood and thread for fabrics. Currently small crops are grown in California, Texas and Louisiana, mostly for animal feed and bedding, but you can expect it to expand as more of its uses are exploited, particularly since hemp remains illegal in the US (hemp has similar fibrous properties but is not related.

There are two varieties grown in India, the red stemmed as shown in the photo, and a green stemmed which is much less tart. The green stemmed is preferred for culinary and medicinal purposes, but I haven't seen it around here. This is a very important herb or vegetable in a good part of India (Andhra, Karala, Karnataka) and valued for its iron content. Red stemmed Kenaf now appears in our Indian groceries in California, but is quite seasonal.


Only the leaves are used, even the leaf stems are too fibrous for culinary use.

Should your leaves be a bit wilted, completely submerge them in a bowl of cold water for about 1/2 hour, then spin them in your salad spinner and pack loosely in a plastic bag.

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