Sotol. Coast Hibiscus. Where to buy?

[Rabbit leg]

Does anyone know where you can buy non native UK woods like Sotol or Coastal Hibiscus?

I would like to work on the fire plough/plow this winter.

I have tried many times with other woods that are local but without success. If I can achieve my first ember then I will have the confidence to try Euro woods. (Until Brexit).

 

[Janne]

What properties has Coastal Hibiscus?

Do not worry about European timbers after ‘B’, UK has always been and will be a part of Europe until it gets completely eroded by the sea...

 

[TLM]

I thought the only use for a hibiscus is behind the ears of girls! What else can be done with it?

 

[Janne]

Totally different plants
One is a tree, the other one a bush.

Tree has a very nicely grained and coloured wood, and Termites love it.
The other one can, in addition to be placed behind ears, be used in a herbal tea.
Or to look at in the garden.

 

[Janne]

Btw, the names are because the flowers are very similar.
One cool thing with the Coast Hibiscus flowers is that they change colour.
Now they are yellow, as I write!

 

[TLM]

Ach so, you don't happen to have the sci. names for both?

 

[Janne]

I can look it up while I wait for the ladies to get ready ( off snorkelling)

 

[TLM]

We got 4 cm of snow last night.

 

[Janne]

Coastal Hibiscus tree = Hibiscus Tiliaceus
Hibiscus bush = Hibiscus.

Both are
Order Malvales
Family Malvacea

So closely related in fact.

The tree is quite large, about 3 stories high.

 

[Janne]

We got 4 cm of snow last night.

Nice to roll in after a good Sauna!

 

[TLM]

In theory yes, in practise no as it started raining and changed suddenly into snow an at the same time the temp went down about 8C in an hour. So its ill frozen semisolid, it would be like rolling on sand paper.

 

[Janne]

Yes, that is nasty!
I remember the pain from those ‘early snowballs’!


I miss snow. And ice.
But not clearing the drive or car in the mornings!

 

[Rabbit leg]

Coastal Hibiscus tree = Hibiscus Tiliaceus
Hibiscus bush = Hibiscus.

Both are
Order Malvales
Family Malvacea

So closely related in fact.

The tree is quite large, about 3 stories high.

Do you know which one is used?
How thick is the stem of the plant?
And do you find either in the Caribbean?

Thanks.

 

[Janne]

Both grow here. The tree ( Coastal H.) I mentioned grows in fact in my neighbours garden. That is the closest one

The other type grows everywhere, a popular plant.

I would be happy to send some to you, but the postage would be crazy high.
What do you want it for?

 

[Rabbit leg]

No need to send any as I sometimes head over to the Caribbean. Just didn't realise there were both types there.

The 1st post explains why I am after some

I have always assumed that it was the bush not the tree that was used.

 

[forrestdweller]

i have always assumed that it was the bush not the tree that was used.

hibiscus tiliaceaus can be found in coastal northern Australia and has been used by the inventors of "" survival "" ( a.k.a. australian Aborigines) for firemaking. it's the only tree i've so far successful used for hand drill and it's also "" responsible "" for me finding BCUK. ...

hibiscus is an entire genus of plants with many different members