Flor de Jamaica, Sorrell

This is technically not a Central American rain forest plant since it’s from tropical Africa. But it is a favorite drink of Belizeans (and BIBers), so it deserves an entry.  Flor de Jamaica (that’s FLOR dey hah-MY-ka) flowers can be boiled to make a delicious red tea, hot or cold. The dried flowers may be found in Belizean markets as dry black clumps in plastic bags. 

Here’s a fancy recipe, or you can just boil up a handful of dried flowers in some water (it turns a brilliant garnet red), simmer it for half an hour or more, dilute and sugar to taste.

Flor de Jamaica is actually a hibiscus, and makes great landscaping plant screen, with flowers you can pick and dry in the sun for tea later.  This plant is also harvested for food coloring, flavoring in fish and rice dishes in some countries, and the green leaves are used as a spicy sort of spinach. The bitter roots have medicinal properties, and the stems are used to make twine. Talk about an all-purpose plant! More can be found here.