General description and special characteristics – Okra is an upright annual about 1 to 2 m (3 to 6 ft.) tall with a main stem and several branches. It is a prolific producer of dark green pods that can be harvested continuously for weeks. Each flower yields a pod, best harvested to be eaten when 8-13 cm (3-5 in.) long and still very tender.
Varieties –
- Bhutanese – Produces green pods, eaten when 7-10 cm (3-5 in) long.
- Clemson Spineless – Spineless pods (less irrigating to the skin) that are easier to harvest than normal varieties. However, the leaves still have irritating spines like other okra varieties.
- Red Maroon – Produces dark red pods that can reach 20 cm but are eaten when 12-15 cm long.