I bought a little tree, the only name he knew for it was "Bombero Tree". I can take a picture of it if it will help. I can't find it on Google. Bombero means "firefighter".
The second plant is a Jamaica(the spelling might be off on that one). It was pronounced like Hamaica. The red leafed hibiscus acetosella is called Jamaica, but this was not red leafed. I didn't have my camera to get a picture. It had green leaves, shaped like H. acetosella leaves, only larger(hand size), the flowers were pale pink with a dark center, the pods were very large and reddish pink. The green pods are picked and put in water for "agua fresca", to freshen the water. She had several plants, but no seed, she told me to come back later in the summer for seeds. She spoke only Spanish, and my Spanish is limited so I couldn't ask detailed information. I loved this little plant, it was about knee high.
Someone who understands Spanish names for plants.
Local names for plants in Spanish are as variable as English names! I do speak Spanish but have never heard of Bombero Tree. I have heard 4 different Spanish names for Impatiens...
I only know Jamaica - Red Hibiscus - Tea from the small red leafed tree. I have been told that it can also be made from any red hibiscus flowers...but I wouldn't take that to the bank!!! Can't you start acetosella from cuttings, like all hibiscus? The young leaves are used in salads here, too.
Perhaps you could contact the Department of Ag. there...gotta have some Hispanics there....or the Department of Ag. at the University. Bombero Tree sounds very 'local'.
Carol
Oh that's a great idea! Yes, lots of Hispanic people here in all departments. I didn't know how to ask for a cutting, lol, only seeds!
Don't know if this will help or not:
Agua de Jamaica http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/aguadejamaica.htm
Jamaica
Are actually dried hibiscus flowers H. sabdariffa var. sabdariffa and are also called roselle or Jamaican sorrel.
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/roselle.html#Keeping%20Quality
Other types of Agua Fresca:
http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/ListWebSites.asp?RunReport=Run+Report&SelStart1=MEXBEB
I read those and it says the flowers are red, these were pale pink and the seed pod wasn't anything like H. acetosella. I have a friend who might know, I'll have to take a translator though, her English is as bad as my Spanish, lol. We go plant shopping together, it's a hoot! We went to Mexico, she was good to have along, she got great deals cause she could get right in there and deal with the vendors!
Bombero tree roughly translated is Fire tree. there are lots of Fire tree in the Philippines... http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/mofa1.htm , http://www.hear.org/oisc/oisc_target_species/morella_faya.htm , http://photos.houseonahill.net/index.php/photoblog/photos/4374 hth
Here is a picture of the Bombero Tree
Close up of leaves.
Cala..looks like a species of erytrina to me..three lobed leaves..short thorns on the main trunk etc.
KKyle
Kyle, yes! now that you mention it I think you are right! They call erythrina "fireman's hats" down here! Wow, thanks, I never would have made the connection.
AHA - of course!!! The flowers are red, bright red, which would make sense!!!
I was thinking the same thing, maybe erythrina christa-galli? Not sure about that spelling, I have one, killer thorns, mine grows great but has never bloomed, think I have it in too much shade.
Mary put it where it gets full sun. That's where I grow mine. All the seedlings I grew and gave away last year even bloomed
I agree. Also, you can chop it back to a stub and it comes back renewed!!!