Malvaceae, Hibiscus manihot, vauvau, Hibiscus spinach, bele
Hibiscus manihot, or Bele, (syn. Abelmoschus manihot), is a tropical perennial that can grow to over 3 metres high under good conditions. In the Pacific Islands Bele is one of the most utilized green vegetables, along with taro-leaf, spinach, and wild ferns, which are found throughout homegardens and fallow areas. It is reportedly one of the most nutritious green vegetables, being very high in vitamins A and C and in iron, and having 12 per cent protein by dry weight (Standal et al. 1974), which makes it a valuable food in interior villages where animal protein is scarce. The large leaves are very mucilaginous and have demulcent properties.
Bele is easily propagated from cuttings, requires little cultivation, is relatively disease-resistant and drought tolerant. Aside from its use as a vegetable it is also considered to have medicinal value. Planted along borders of gardens or as an intercrop throughout gardens, it will yield for a long time. See below for more info in the comment forum. One commenter, Amy, claims that there are more then 70 varieties of bele in PNG… Not sure if all of these are edible.
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Hey Spencer,
It’s Henry from Bahia Honda. Have you found a scientific name for this bele? If you look on google you’ll see that what is called Bele in Polynesia is in fact Abelmoschus manihot (formerly Hibiscus manihot) and although it looks similar to our bele it appears to be a different plant. I’ve never seen our bele flower–have you? In any case, we’re thinking of feeding it to our 7-month old baby and wanted to make sure it was safe.
When are you coming back around these parts.
Take care,
Henry
I am looking for this Bele leaves in Loma Linda or in California…. Can someone tell me where I can find its seeds or where they are sold….. we have an abundance of this leave in the Pacific Islands and Im trying to locate areas or supermarkets where I can buy this from…..
If you have any information please let me know….
Thanks
Hi did you have any luck ? i have been trying to find so i can grow here in New Zealand !I would appreciate knowing if you found any.
cheers
Craig
you can buy it in any polynesian market. they come frozen in bags.
Very interesting. How is it used in cooking? Thanks for the comment.
Question for Craig. Did you find a source in N.Z. I am also keen to grow bele here if possible. My Tongan family don’t know of any supplies here.
hi craig i have bele plants in manukau had 5 plants for sale which has all gone will plant some cuttings in nov this year n put on trade me,bob
It’s very delicious kind of slimy if you stir it too much….First cut your meat in cubes i.e pork, chicken, or lamp cook them till a little tender in coconut milk with your spices then add your chopped up pele leaves let it cook for 15 mins or more then enjoy it with plantain, taro, yam, sweet potato, or tapioca.
Greetings!
I am interested ingrowing this “bele” green leafy plant.
Helen Nicole – about 20 years ago i was trying to grow vegetables via the Jacob Mittleider system of “box gardening”. I think that he was a “professor” at Loma Linda and had done some assignments in the Pacific for the SDA mission. He would know this plant and availability. You may be able to trace him mor quickly. Cheers for now. Nik
I’ve grown this plant for years. It is very easy to propagate from large cuttings and grows fast with minimal care. It seems to do well in both dry and wet conditions. Makes for a fantastic tropical climate edible leafy green.
I am in N.Z. and would like to grow bele here. Unfortunately the days of being able to put a cutting in your pocket are well gone and it is difficult to get some of the traditional plants from other countries. My Tongan family don’t know of any supplies here.
I would try to check with some of the local permaculture/sustainable ag people in NZ. Maybe you already have…. Alternatively, bele seeds are small and easier to accidentally be in the pocket of a pair of pants you pack in your suitcase.
HEAPS of Bele here in Fiji, just poke a cut stem into ground you can eat leaves within weeks, grows pretty fast. I don’t know how you can take it out of Fiji given strict border control of plant products.
Thanks for the comment. Is Bele commonly eaten raw in Fiji or cooked/steamed?
hi Anthrome,
we boil, steam or cook Bele in coconut milk with fish. It’s never eaten raw(unpalatable ). One of main green leafy veggies of our diet, also belief there are more then 70 species in PNG.
Most of indigenous Fijians would prepare it for infants that have started solids and gives beautiful texture when blended with babies food..
A lawyer I once knew told me of a strange case, a suffragette who had never married. After her death, he opened her trunk and discovered 50 wedding gowns.Marguerite Young
How peculiar.
Thank you for your response.
Our sniffer dogs here have amazing noses so I wouldn’t try bringing them that way.
Ah, yes, I’ve heard its next to impossible. Well, good luck with your search. I’ll let you know if I ever come across any sources over that way.
I grow the large leafed variety here in Brisbane and yes very easy to grow. I wonder if anyone knows where I can get/purchase/acquire the thin leafed variety as it does not have that slime associated with bele when being washed.
Yes hi there if you go to northey st farm in brisbane they may have some I got mine there and in fact is not slimey and can be eaten raw sorry though I only know it as tree spinach and not the particular variety name good luck
hi i got some some bele plants but have sold it to few friends will sell some in nov or u can call me 02102714197 bob chandra