Okra, lady’s finger
Family Malvaceae
Hibiscus esculentus (= Abelmoschus esculentus), okra, lady’s finger (H. esculentus 1), is a robust erect annual, 1-2 m tall, with green or reddish stems, simple alternate leaves, heart-shaped or lobed, and axillary borne single yellow flowers, 5-7 cm across (H. esculentus 2). The fruit is 10-30 cm long, 2-3 cm wide, with longitudinal furrows, pointed (H. esculentus 3), with a high mucilage content.
Distribution
The okra is of African origin and is now widely distributed throughout the tropics (H. esculentus 4).
The fruits are used as a vegetable and are eaten fresh or cooked. They are also used to thicken soups and gravies. Sometimes they are dried or pickled. In China they are used for sizing paper.