High α-cellulose has been extracted from a fast-growing annual plant, namely Hibiscus cannabinus L. Esterified products from this α-cellulose and from a commercially available rayon-grade pulp were prepared by adopting homogeneous esterification procedures. The physico-chemical properties of the esterified products obtained were studied and the products were characterized using IR, UV and NMR techniques. The esterified products obtained from the α-cellulose of the above plant showed properties similar to those of esters prepared from commercially available rayon-grade pulp.