Abelmoschus esculentus

Abelmoschus esculentus, also known as okra or ladies' fingers, is a flowering plant in the mallow family. It is valued for its edible green seed pods. The plant is cultivated in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions around the world.

Description

Abelmoschus esculentus is an annual plant that can grow up to 2 meters tall. The leaves are 10–20 cm long and broad, palmately lobed with 5–7 lobes. The flowers are 4–8 cm in diameter, with five white to yellow petals, often with a red or purple spot at the base of each petal. The fruit is a capsule up to 18 cm long, containing numerous seeds.

Cultivation and uses

Abelmoschus esculentus is cultivated for its fibrous fruits or pods containing round, white seeds. The pods are harvested when immature and are eaten as a vegetable. They have a unique texture, with a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. The seeds are also used as a coffee substitute. In addition, the plant has medicinal uses and is used in traditional medicine in several countries.

Nutrition

The pods of the Abelmoschus esculentus are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate. They also contain moderate amounts of vitamin K and the minerals magnesium and manganese.

History

The species is believed to have originated in Ethiopia, and it has been cultivated in Egypt since the 12th century BC. It was introduced to the Americas by ships plying the Atlantic slave trade by the 17th century.

See also

• List of vegetables
• Mallow family
• Culinary uses of okra