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Uses

Toxic parts

The hairs on the seed pods can be an irritant to some people and gloves should be worn when harvesting. These hairs can be easily removed by washing[10].

Edible uses

Seed

Roasted, Ground as a Coffee substitute, Caffeine
Oil
Cooked, Ground as a Flour

Fruit

Cooked, Dried as a Thickener
Raw as a Fruit

Leaves

Dried as a Flavouring
Cooked, Boiled, Steamed as a Vegetable

Root

Cooked as a Thickener

Flower buds, Flowers, Calyces

Cooked, Boiled, Steamed as a Vegetable

Material uses

A fibre obtained from the stems is used as a substitute for jute[11][12][4][13]. It is also used in making paper and textiles[14]. The fibres are about 2.4mm long[15]. When used for paper the stems are harvested in late summer or autumn after the edible seedpods have been harvested, the leaves are removed and the stems are steamed until the fibres can be stripped off. The fibres are cooked for 2 hours with lye and then put in a ball mill for 3 hours. The paper is cream coloured[15]. A decoction of the root or of the seeds is used as a size for paper[16].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The roots are very rich in mucilage, having a strongly demulcent action[17][18]. They are said by some to be better than marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis)[17]. This mucilage can be used as a plasma replacement[8]. An infusion of the roots is used in the treatment of syphilis[8]. The juice of the roots is used externally in Nepal to treat cuts, wounds and boils[19]. The leaves furnish an emollient poultice[17][18][8]. A decoction of the immature capsules is demulcent, diuretic and emollient[8]. It is used in the treatment of catarrhal infections, ardor urinae, dysuria and gonorrhoea[8]. The seeds are antispasmodic, cordial and stimulant[8]. An infusion of the roasted seeds has sudorific properties[8].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed

Seed - sow early spring in a warm greenhouse. The seed germinates in 27 days at 15°c or 6 days at 35°c[3]. When large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts[10].


Cultivation

Prefers a well-drained humus rich fertile soil in full sun and a pH around 6 to 6.7[10] but it tolerates a wide range of soil types and pH from 5.5 to 8[10]. It prefers a soil with a high potash content[20]. The plant requires a warm sunny position sheltered from winds[10]. It likes plenty of moisture, both in the soil and in the atmosphere[3]. Okra is commonly cultivated in warm temperate and tropical areas for its edible seedpod, there are many named varieties[5][10]. Most cultivars require about 4 months from sowing before a crop is produced, though some early maturing varieties can produce a crop in 50 days in the tropics[20]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it sometimes succeeds outdoors in hot summers but is really best grown in a greenhouse since it prefers daytime temperatures of 25°c or more[21]. Plants also dislike low night temperatures[3]. There are some early-maturing varieties that are more tolerant of cooler temperate conditions and these could be tried outdoors[10]. These include 'Clemson's Spineless', 'Emerald Spineless', 'Long Green' and 'Green Velvet'[10]. The flowers are much visited by bees but they may require syringing in order to improve fertilization when plants are grown in a greenhouse. Plants resent being transplanted[3].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Abelmoschus esculentus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Abelmoschus esculentus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Abelmoschus esculentus
Genus
Abelmoschus
Family
Malvaceae
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Abelmoschus esculentus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Abelmoschus esculentus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Abelmoschus esculentus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Abelmoschus esculentus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Abelmoschus esculentus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Abelmoschus esculentus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Abelmoschus esculentus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Abelmoschus esculentus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Abelmoschus esculentus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Abelmoschus esculentus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Abelmoschus esculentus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Abelmoschus esculentus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Abelmoschus esculentus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Abelmoschus esculentus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.




    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (32202/01/01)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.63.73.8 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. (32202/01/01)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (32202/01/01)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.75.8 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health (32202/01/01)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (32202/01/01)
    8. ? 8.008.018.028.038.048.058.068.078.088.098.108.118.12 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (32202/01/01)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana ISBN 0-00-634436-4 (32202/01/01)
    10. ? 10.0010.0110.0210.0310.0410.0510.0610.0710.0810.0910.10 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    12. ? 12.012.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (32202/01/01)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
    14. ? 14.014.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (32202/01/01)
    15. ? 15.015.115.2 Bell. L. A. Plant Fibres for Papermaking. Liliaceae Press (32202/01/01)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    17. ? 17.017.117.217.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (32202/01/01)
    18. ? 18.018.118.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (32202/01/01)
    19. ? 19.019.1 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (32202/01/01)
    20. ? 20.020.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Vegetables Macmillan Reference Books, London. ISBN 0 333 62640 0 (32202/01/01)
    21. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. ISBN 0-330-37376-5 (32202/01/01)


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    Facts about "Abelmoschus esculentus"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyMalvaceae +
    Belongs to genusAbelmoschus +
    Has common nameOkra +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partSeeds +, Fruit +, Leaves +, Root +, Flower buds +, Flowers + and Calyces +
    Has edible useCoffee substitute +, Caffeine +, Thickener +, Flavouring +, Oil +, Pectin +, Vegetable +, Fruit + and Flour +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has imageAbelmoschus esculentus2.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useFibre +, Paper + and Size +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntispasmodic +, Demulcent +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Emollient +, Stimulant + and Vulnerary +
    Has primary imageAbelmoschus esculentus2.jpg +
    Has search nameabelmoschus esculentus + and x +
    Has seed requiring scarificationNo +
    Has seed requiring stratificationNo +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameAbelmoschus esculentus +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is grown fromSeeds +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates air pollutionNo +
    Tolerates maritime exposureNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Tolerates windNo +