Abelmoschus

Abelmoschus is a genus of about fifteen species of flowering plants in the mallow family Malvaceae, native to tropical Africa, Asia and northern Australia. It was formerly included within Hibiscus, but is now classified as a distinct genus.

The genus comprises annual and perennial herbaceous plants, growing to 2 m tall. The leaves are 10-40 cm long and broad, palmately lobed with 3-7 lobes, the lobes very variable in depth, from barely lobed, to cut almost to the base of the leaf. The flowers are 4-8 cm 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, 5-20 cm long, containing numerous seeds.

Abelmoschus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Chionodes hibiscella which has been recorded on A. moschatus.


USES
Several species are edible, with both the young seed pods and the young leaves being eaten as a vegetable. The most important commercially-grown species is Okra.

Abelmoschus manihot (aibika) furnishes cordage like jute, and Abelmoschus moschatus (musk mallow) is grown for musk seeds (musk ambrette, which causes photoallergy).


Species

- Abelmoschus moschatus - Musk Mallow
Abelmoschus moschatus (is an aromatic and medicinal plant in the Malvaceae family, which is native to India. The seeds have a sweet, flowery, heavy fragrance similar to that of musk. Despite its tropical origin the plant is frost hardy.
Uses
Musk mallow oil was once used as a substitute for animal musk; however this use is now mostly discontinued as it can cause photosensitivity.
It has many culinary uses. The seeds are added to coffee; unripe pods ("musk okra"), leaves and new shoots are eaten as vegetables.
Different parts of the plant have uses in traditional and complementary medicine, not all of which have been scientifically proven. It is used externally to relieve spasms of the digestive tract, cramp, poor circulation and aching joints. It is also considered an insecticide and an aphrodisiac.[citation needed]
In industry the root mucilage provides sizing for paper; tobacco is sometimes flavoured with the flowers.


- Abelmoschus manihot - Aibika
The Aibika (Abelmoschus manihot) is a flowering plant in the mallow family Malvaceae. It was formerly considered a species of Hibiscus, but is now classified in the genus Abelmoschus. The plant is also know as the Sunset Muskmallow, Sunset Hibiscus, or Hibiscus Manihot.
In Japanese, this plant is known as tororo aoi and is used to make neri, a starchy substance used in making Washi.


- Abelmoschus esculentus - Okra
Okra, also known as lady's finger, bhindi (Hindustani) and gumbo, is a flowering plant in the mallow family (along with such species as cotton and cocoa) valued for its edible green fruits. Its scientific name is Abelmoschus esculentus. The species is an annual or perennial, growing to 2 m tall. The leaves are 10–20 cm long and broad, palmately lobed with 5–7 lobes. The flowers are 4–8 cm 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.
USES
Okra is cultivated throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world for its fibrous fruits or pods containing round, white seeds. The fruits are harvested when immature and eaten as a vegetable.


- Abelmoschus caillei - West African okra
Abelmoschus caillei, the West African okra, is a plant species in the family Malvaceae. It occurs in West and Central Africa where it is used as a vegetable.

Okra Flower:

Image: BanyanTree
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