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Abelmoschus esculentus is often confused with:
Abelmoschus manihot Flower
Hibiscus laevis Flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Agastache 'Blue Fortune' Form
Beta vulgaris (Leaf Beet Group) Beta vulgaris (Leaf Beet Group)
Cucurbita maxima Cucurbita maxima
Abelmoschus esculentus has some common insect problems:
Aphids Found on Flowers and Foliage
Abelmoschus esculentus has some other problems:
Nematodes in Turf

Gumbo Abelmoschus esculentus

Phonetic Spelling
a-bel-MOS-kus es-kew-LEN-tus
Description

Okra is a warm-season vegetable in the mallow family. Sow seeds or transplant in a garden that gets full sun and has moist, well-drained high organic matter soil. It has showy yellow flowers with purple centers followed by edible pods. If grown from seed, ensure that the temperatures remain above 55 degrees F, or start indoors. The pods can be harvested when they reach a length of 3 inches, approximately 4 months after sowing. They can be used fresh or dried, eaten as a vegetable, or added to soups or stews. Its leaves, flower buds, flowers, and calyces can be eaten as greens.

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. The hairs on the seed pods can be an irritant, gloves should be used when handling.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Vegetable No-Till Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#edible flowers#vegetable garden#edible fruits#border planting#hairy leaves#vegetable#walkway planting#drought tolerant vegetable#warm season vegetable#contact dermatitis#container plant#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#edible flowers#vegetable garden#edible fruits#border planting#hairy leaves#vegetable#walkway planting#drought tolerant vegetable#warm season vegetable#contact dermatitis#container plant#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Abelmoschus
    Species:
    esculentus
    Family:
    Malvaceae
    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.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Edible
    Vegetable
    Warm Season Vegetable
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    As can be seen when it is cut in half, the five-sided fruit is chambered and contains many seeds. They have a musky aroma.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Edible Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis