Gumbo Abelmoschus esculentus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-bel-MOS-kus es-kew-LEN-tus
- Description
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Okra is a warm-season vegetable in the mallow family (Malvaceae). It is native to tropical areas of Africa and Asia and can be grown in warmer temperate parts of the USA.
The plant will grow 3-4 feet tall with a multi-branched form. Sow seeds or plant transplants in spring after the chance of frost has passed. If grown from seed, ensure the temperatures remain above 55 degrees F or start indoors. Okra needs full sun in moist, well-drained high organic matter soil. The pods can be harvested when they reach a length of 3 inches, approximately 4 months after sowing. The seed pod and roots are mucilaginous.
The yellow flowers with purple centers are large and showy as most of the mallow family are. Deer will browse the large green leaves but don't eat the okra. The hairs on the seed pods can be an irritant, gloves should be used when handling. The hairs easily wash off.
Use this plant in the vegetable garden. Fruits, flowers and leaves are edible.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Poorly drained soil can lead to root rot. Powdery mildew can be an issue. Insects include aphids, corn earworms, slugs, whiteflies, and spider mites.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Colorful Borders No-Till Vegetable Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Abelmoschus
- Species:
- esculentus
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Various parts of the plant have been used in herbal medicine
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical Africa and Asia
- Play Value:
- Edible fruit
- Edibility:
- Pods may be cooked, pickled or eaten raw. Leaves may be cooked or eaten raw. Flowers are edible with a mild, slightly sweet flavor but add more color than flavor. Roasted seeds are a coffee substitute
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Vegetable
- Warm Season Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The five-sided fruit is chambered and contains many seeds. They have a musky aroma.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are 2 to 3 inches long, hibiscus-like, yellow with a purple center. Each flower will last only one day, however, the plant will continue to produce flowers over the life of the plant.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are dark green and hairy with five to seven lobes.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
