Hibiscus vs. Sorrel — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 20, 2024
Hibiscus refers to a variety of flowering plants in the mallow family, known for their large, colorful blooms, while sorrel refers to plants in the Rumex genus, valued for their edible, tangy leaves.
Difference Between Hibiscus and Sorrel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hibiscus plants are primarily recognized for their decorative purposes in gardens and landscapes due to their vibrant, often large flowers that come in a range of colors including red, pink, and yellow. Whereas, sorrel is cultivated for its leaves, which are used in culinary dishes for their sharp, lemony flavor.
While hibiscus is often used in teas, syrups, and culinary dishes in parts of Asia and the Caribbean, highlighting the versatility of its flowers and sometimes leaves, sorrel leaves are a staple in European and African cooking, particularly appreciated in soups and sauces for their acidity.
Hibiscus grows best in tropical and subtropical climates, thriving in sunny, warm environments. On the other hand, sorrel prefers cooler conditions and can often be found growing wild in grasslands and fields in temperate regions.
The cultivation of hibiscus involves managing pests and ensuring enough sunlight and moisture for optimal growth, focusing on ornamental value. Conversely, growing sorrel requires minimal maintenance, often thriving in poor soil and less ideal conditions, focusing on leaf production.
Hibiscus is also noted for its health benefits, including blood pressure management and antioxidant properties. In contrast, sorrel is valued for its vitamins and minerals, particularly Vitamin C and iron, contributing to its healthful qualities.
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Comparison Chart
Type
Flowering plant
Leafy vegetable
Uses
Ornamental, teas, culinary
Culinary, particularly soups and sauces
Climate
Tropical and subtropical
Temperate
Growth Conditions
Requires full sun and moist soil
Tolerates poor soil and lower light conditions
Health Benefits
Antioxidants, blood pressure management
High in Vitamin C, supports immune system
Compare with Definitions
Hibiscus
Medicinal benefits.
Hibiscus tea is often recommended for its health benefits.
Sorrel
Easy to grow.
Sorrel thrives even in her shady garden.
Hibiscus
Tropical plant.
The hibiscus in her garden blooms brightly each summer.
Sorrel
Leafy vegetable.
Sorrel adds a sharp, tangy flavor to the salad.
Hibiscus
Decorative uses.
They decorated the hall with hibiscus for the tropical theme.
Sorrel
Edible leaves.
She harvested sorrel from the garden for her soup.
Hibiscus
Edible flowers.
Hibiscus flowers are used to make a refreshing tea.
Sorrel
Culinary uses.
Sorrel sauce is a traditional accompaniment to fish.
Hibiscus
Various species.
Different species of hibiscus thrive in various climates.
Sorrel
High in nutrients.
Sorrel is praised for its high vitamin C content.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. The genus is quite large, comprising several hundred species that are native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world.
Sorrel
Sorrel (Rumex acetosa), also called common sorrel or garden sorrel, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Polygonaceae. Other names for sorrel include spinach dock and narrow-leaved dock ('dock' is a common name for the genus Rumex).Sorrel is a common plant in grassland habitats and is often cultivated as a leaf vegetable or herb.
Hibiscus
Any of various chiefly tropical shrubs or trees of the genus Hibiscus of the mallow family, having large, showy, variously colored flowers with numerous stamens united into a tube surrounding the style.
Sorrel
Any of several plants of the genus Rumex that have sour leaves, especially the Eurasian species R. acetosa, sometimes grown for its edible leaves, and R. acetosella, widely naturalized worldwide. Also called dock4.
Hibiscus
A flowering plant of the genus Hibiscus, especially Hibiscus syriacus, found in tropical to temperate regions, of some species used for making infusions/tea.
Sorrel
See oxalis.
Hibiscus
A cocktail made with champagne and cranberry juice.
Sorrel
A brownish orange to light brown.
Hibiscus
A genus of plants (herbs, shrubs, or trees), some species of which have large, showy flowers. Some species are cultivated in India for their fiber, which is used as a substitute for hemp. See Althea, Hollyhock, and Manoe.
Sorrel
A sorrel-colored horse or other animal.
Hibiscus
Any plant of the genus Hibiscus
Sorrel
Any of various plants with acidic leaves, especially
Sorrel
Rumex acetosa (common sorrel, garden sorrel), sometimes used as a salad vegetable.
Sorrel
Members of genus Oxalis or family Oxalidaceae, woodsorrels.
Sorrel
The roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa.
Sorrel
A drink, consumed especially in the Caribbean around Christmas, made from the flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa: hibiscus tea.
Sorrel
A brown colour, with a tint of red.
Sorrel
Of a brown colour, with a tint of red. especially: a sorrel horse
Sorrel
Of a yellowish or redish brown color; as, a sorrel horse.
Sorrel
A yellowish or redish brown color.
Sorrel
One of various plants having a sour juice; especially, a plant of the genus Rumex, as Rumex Acetosa, Rumex Acetosella, etc.
Sorrel
Any plant or flower of the genus Oxalis
Sorrel
Any of certain coarse weedy plants with long taproots, sometimes used as table greens or in folk medicine
Sorrel
East Indian sparsely prickly annual herb or perennial subshrub widely cultivated for its fleshy calyxes used in tarts and jelly and for its bast fiber
Sorrel
Large sour-tasting arrowhead-shaped leaves used in salads and sauces
Sorrel
A horse of a brownish orange to light brown color
Sorrel
Of a light brownish color
Common Curiosities
How do you care for a hibiscus plant?
Hibiscus plants require full sunlight and regular watering.
What is the best climate for growing hibiscus?
Hibiscus thrives in tropical to subtropical climates.
Are there medicinal benefits to consuming hibiscus?
Yes, hibiscus is known for its antioxidant properties and can help manage blood pressure.
What are the health benefits of sorrel?
Sorrel is high in Vitamin C and iron, beneficial for immune health.
What colors do hibiscus flowers come in?
Hibiscus flowers can be red, pink, yellow, or white.
Can you eat hibiscus flowers?
Yes, hibiscus flowers are edible and often used in teas and dishes.
Is sorrel easy to grow?
Yes, sorrel is hardy and can grow in less ideal conditions, including partial shade.
How do you harvest sorrel?
Sorrel leaves can be picked as needed, starting from the outside of the plant.
What does sorrel taste like?
Sorrel has a tangy, lemon-like flavor.
Can sorrel be eaten raw?
Yes, sorrel can be eaten raw and is often used in salads.
What are some common dishes using sorrel?
Sorrel is commonly used in soups, sauces, and as a seasoning for meats.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
