Food Plants International - Plant Fact Sheets Abelmoschus esculentus - Okra
Edible Portion: Pods, Flowers, Seeds, Leaves, Vegetable
A tropical annual herb. It grows erect, often with hairy stems. It mostly grows about 1 m tall but can be 3.5 m tall. It becomes woody at the base. The leaves have long stalks up to 30 cm long. Leaves vary in shape but are roughly heart shaped with lobes and teeth along the edge. Upper leaves are more deeply divided than lower ones. The flowers are yellow with red hearts. The fruits are green, long and ribbed. They have 5-7 ribs. They are 7.5-15 cm long. The seeds are 4-5 mm across. They are round and dark green. Many varieties exist.