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HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS - LADY FINGER.
Synonym Abelmoschus esculentus. Common name Okra,lady fingers,gambo, gombo, okura, ocra, bamia ochro, bhindi, bombo, chimbombo, Bhindee, Bhindi, Bindi, Cantarela, Gombaut, Gombo, Bumbo, Mesta, Ochro, Okro, Quiabo, Quimbambo, Quingombo, Rosenapfel, Vendakai, qiu kui, okura, Gumbo. Family Malvaceae (Mallow family). Overview This plant is an erect herbaceous annual vegetable in Suriname growing up to 6 feet in height. The leaves are heart shaped, it has showy hibiscus –like flowers. The edible part is the seed pod; it is actually a capsule. It contains smooth seeds in the cells of this capsule and is harvested while still tender and immature. Okra is demulcent, mucilaginous and is used as a thickener in soups and stews. Okra is grown in Suriname as a perennial and is a fast growing plant. Medicinal applications The mucilage binds cholesterol and bile acid carrying toxins dumped into it by the liver. It helps to lubricate the large intestines due to its laxative qualities. The fiber in okra helps to stabilize blood sugar (it regulates the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract). Hardiness USDA zone 5 - 11. Propagation Seeds. Culture Tolerance for variation in rainfall; no tolerance for frost; full sun; rich well drained soil. The optimum ph of the soil is 6.0 - 7.5. Days to maturity: 60 days. |