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Abelmoschus moschatus
  • Musk Mallow

a perennial member of the Abelmoschus genus in the family Malvaceae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 9
    Zone 9
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Abelmoschus moschatus has 0 edible uses listed
Abelmoschus moschatus has 0 material uses listed
Abelmoschus moschatus has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves and shoots - cooked in soups[1][2]. Used as a vegetable[3]. The leaves are also used to clarify sugar[1].

Unripe seedpods - cooked as a vegetable in much the same way as okra (A. esculentus)[1][3][2]. Seed - cooked[2]. It is fried or roasted and has a flavour similar to sesame seeds[2]. The seed is also used as a flavouring for liqueurs or to scent coffee[1][3]. An essential oil is obtained from the plant and is used to flavour baked goods, ice cream, sweets and soft drinks[1].

Root[1]. No more details are given, though the root is likely to have a bland flavour and a fibrous texture.

Unknown part

Condiment

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Seedpod

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

An essential oil is obtained from the plant[3]. It is used as a food flavouring and in perfumery as a musk substitute[3]. However, it has been known to cause photosensitivity so this use has been largely discontinued[3].

An oil obtained from the seed contains 18.9% linoleic acid[4]. The oil is f high econmic value[5]. Total yields of oil are not given[K]. The seeds are used as an insecticide[6][3]. Another report says that extracts of the fruits and upper parts of the plant show insecticidal activity[4]. A fibre is obtained from the stem bark[3]. It is used to make ropes[2].

A mucilage obtained from the roots is used as a size for paper[3].

Unknown part

Essential
Fibre
Insecticide
Oil
Size

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

An emulsion made from the seed is antispasmodic and is especially effective in the digestive system[6][3]. The seeds are also chewed as a nervine, stomachic and to sweeten the breath[6][3]. They are also said to be aphrodisiac[6][3].

The seeds are valued medicinally for their diuretic, demulcent and stomachic properties. They are also said to be stimulant, antiseptic, cooling, tonic, carminative and aphrodisiac. A paste of the bark is applied to cuts, wounds and sprains[2].

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy for the treatment of depression and anxiety[3]. It is also applied externally to treat cramp, poor circulation and aching joints[3].

Unknown part

Antihalitosis
Antispasmodic
Aphrodisiac
Aromatherapy
Digestive
Nervine
Stomachic
Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow April in a greenhouse. The seed germinates best at a temperature around 24 - 24°c[3]. When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots of rich soil and plant them out after the last expected frosts[K]. The seed can also be sown in situ in late April in areas with warm summers. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July in a frame[3].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Abelmoschus moschatus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Easily grown in a rich well-drained soil in a sunny position[3]. Tolerates a pH in the range 6 to 7.8.

This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c and can be grown outdoors in the milder areas of the country[3]. The plant grows as a shrub in frost-free climates but is usually cut back to the ground in British winters. So long as these winters are not too cold, however, it can usually be grown as a herbaceous perennial with new shoots being produced freely from the root-stock. These flower in the summer[3]. It is probably wise to apply a good mulch to the roots in the autumn[K]. It is best to cut back the stems to about 15cm long in the spring even if they have not been killed back by the frost[3]. This will ensure an abundance of new growth and plenty of flowers in the summer. The musk mallow is widely cultivated in tropical climates for its many uses[3].

There is at least one named form, selected for its ornamental value. 'Mischief' is somewhat smaller than the species, reaching a height of 50cm[3].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Abelmoschus moschatus. 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 moschatus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Abelmoschus moschatus
Genus
Abelmoschus
Family
Malvaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3]
Medicinal uses
[6][3][2]
Material uses & Functions
[3][4][5][6][2]
Botanic
[5][2]
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
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
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
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    2 x 1 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.6 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.72.82.9 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
    3. ? 3.003.013.023.033.043.053.063.073.083.093.103.113.123.133.143.153.163.173.183.193.203.213.223.233.24 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 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. (1986-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)


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    Facts about "Abelmoschus moschatus"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyMalvaceae +
    Belongs to genusAbelmoschus +
    Has common nameMusk Mallow +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +, Leaves +, Root +, Seedpod + and Seeds +
    Has edible useSeasoning + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone9 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useEssential +, Fibre +, Insecticide +, Oil + and Size +
    Has mature height2 +
    Has mature width1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntihalitosis +, Antispasmodic +, Aphrodisiac +, Aromatherapy +, Digestive +, Nervine +, Stomachic + and Vulnerary +
    Has search nameabelmoschus moschatus + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and 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 moschatus +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +