Changes

{{Taxobox

{{SPlantbox

| color = lightgreen

|familia=Malvaceae

| name = Okra

|genus=Abelmoschus

| image = Abelmoschus esculentus.jpg

|species=esculentus

| image_width = 250px

|common_name=Okra

| image_caption = Okra leaves, flower buds and young fruit

|habit=herbaceous

| regnum = [[Plant]]ae

|Min ht metric=cm

| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]

|origin=Ethiopia

| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]

|lifespan=perennial

| ordo = [[Malvales]]

|features=edible

| familia = [[Malvaceae]]

|flower_season=mid summer, late summer, early fall

| genus = ''[[Abelmoschus]]''

|Temp Metric=°F

| species = '''''esculentus'''''

|image=Abelmoschus esculentus.jpg

| binomial = ''Abelmoschus esculentus''

|image_width=240

| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) [[Conrad Moench|Moench]]

|image_caption=Okra leaves, flower buds and young fruit

}}

}}

'''Okra''', or '''lady's finger''', is a [[flowering plant]] with small green pods in the mallow family [[Malvaceae]], originating somewhere near present-day [[Ethiopia]]. It was formerly considered a species of ''[[Hibiscus]]'', but is now classified in the genus ''[[Abelmoschus]]''. The word okra is of [[West African]] origin and is cognate with "ókùrù" in [[Igbo language|Igbo]], a language spoken in what is now known as [[Nigeria]].

'''Okra''', or '''lady's finger''', is a [[flowering plant]] with small green pods in the mallow family [[Malvaceae]], originating somewhere near present-day [[Ethiopia]]. The word okra is of [[West African]] origin and is cognate with "ókùrù" in [[Igbo language|Igbo]].

It is an [[annual plant|annual]] or [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herbaceous]] plant, growing to 2 m tall, straight up with very little [[phototropism]]. The [[leaf|leaves]] are 10–20 cm long and broad, palmately lobed with 5–7 lobes. The [[flower]]s are 4–8 cm diameter, with five white to yellow petals, often with a red or purple spot at the base of each petal. The [[fruit]] is a capsule, 5–20 cm long, containing numerous [[seed]]s.

It is an [[annual plant|annual]] or [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herbaceous]] plant, growing to 2 m tall, straight up with very little [[phototropism]]. The [[leaf|leaves]] are 10–20 cm long and broad, palmately lobed with 5–7 lobes. The [[flower]]s are 4–8 cm diameter, with five white to yellow petals, often with a red or purple spot at the base of each petal. The [[fruit]] is a capsule, 5–20 cm long, containing numerous [[seed]]s.

==Cultivation and uses==

==Cultivation==

[[Image:Bucket of raw okra pods.jpg|thumb|left|Raw okra pods]]

[[Image:Bucket of raw okra pods.jpg|thumb|left|Raw okra pods]]

Okra is grown throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world for its fibrous pods full of round, white seeds, which, when picked young, are eaten as a [[vegetable]]. It was brought to the [[United States]] via the [[African slave trade]] route, and can be grown in the southern states as an annual crop. In [[Egypt]], [[Lebanon]], [[Israel]], [[Jordan]], [[Iraq]], [[Greece]], [[Turkey]] and other parts of the eastern [[Mediterranean]], okra is widely used in a thick stew made with vegetables and meat. It is known as بامية ''bamiyah'' in [[Arabic language|Arabic]], باميه ''bamiyeh'' in [[Persian language|Persian]], ''bamya'' in [[Turkish language|Turkish]], and μπάμια ''bamia'' in [[Greek language|Greek]]. It is used in [[Indian cuisine|Indian cooking]] where it is either sauteed or added to gravy based preparations. Okra, called ''vendaikaai'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] is very popular in South India. It is also known as 'bendi' in [[Malay language|Malaysia]] and known as भिण्डी ''bhindi'' in [[Hindi]]. It is also one of popular vegetables in late 20th century [[Japanese cuisine]], in  which it is often chopped up and served with [[soy sauce]] and ''[[katsuobushi]]'', or served as [[tempura]].

Okra is grown throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world for its fibrous pods full of round, white seeds, which, when picked young, are eaten as a [[vegetable]].

[[Image:Okra_Growing.jpg|thumb|Okra growing in a home garden]]

[[Image:Okra_Growing.jpg|thumb|Okra growing in a home garden]]

Okra seeds are normally soaked overnight before planting and then planted 1-2 cm deep when the ground is warm; they will tolerate poor [[soil]]s with heavy [[clay]] and intermittent moisture. [[Germination]] ranges from six days (soaked seeds) to three weeks (watered seeds  followed by a cool spell). Seedlings require good watering. Okra is among the most heat- and drought-tolerant vegetables in the world; once established, it can survive severe drought conditions. Tough frosts can kill the pods, so the plants should be protected in colder climates.

Okra is among the most heat- and drought-tolerant vegetables in the world; once established, it can survive severe drought conditions. Tough frosts can kill the pods, so the plants should be protected in colder climates. Okra is harvested and eaten young as it gets very woody when mature.

Okra is normally eaten young as it gets very woody when mature. Okra is often steamed until tender, either whole or sliced about 1 cm thick or simply [[stir-fried]]. Okra is a key thickening agent in Charleston [[gumbo]]; when cooked, it has the same [[mucilage|mucilaginous]] properties as [[nopal]]es (the pads of the [[Opuntia|prickly pear cactus]]). Breaded, deep fried okra is quite popular in the Southern United States, especially in restaurants. Okra can also be pickled.

Prefers a well-drained humus rich fertile soil in full sun and a pH around 6 to 6.7{{pfaf200}} but it tolerates a wide range of soil types and pH from 5.5 to 8{{pfaf200}}. It prefers a soil with a high potash content{{pfaf264}}. The plant requires a warm sunny position sheltered from winds{{pfaf200}}. It likes plenty of moisture, both in the soil and in the atmosphere{{pfaf133}}. Okra is commonly cultivated in warm temperate and tropical areas for its edible seedpod, there are many named varieties{{pfaf183}}{{pfaf200}}. Most cultivars require about 4 months from sowing before a crop is produced, though some early maturing varieties can produce a crop in 50 days in the tropics{{pfaf264}}. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it sometimes succeeds outdoors in hot summers but is really best grown in a greenhouse since it prefers daytime temperatures of 25°c or more{{pfaf260}}. Plants also dislike low night temperatures{{pfaf133}}. There are some early-maturing varieties that are more tolerant of cooler temperate conditions and these could be tried outdoors{{pfaf200}}. These include 'Clemson's Spineless', 'Emerald Spineless', 'Long Green' and 'Green Velvet'{{pfaf200}}. The flowers are much visited by bees but they may require syringing in order to improve fertilization when plants are grown in a greenhouse. Plants resent being transplanted{{pfaf133}}.

Okra has long been known to possess [[diuretic]] properties.<ref>Felter, Harvey Wickes & Lloyd, John Uri. [http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/kings/hibiscus.html "Hibiscus Esculentus.—Okra."], ''King's American Dispensatory'', 1898, retrieved Marc

h 23, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Abelmoschus+esculentus "Abelmoschus esculentus - (L.)Moench."], ''Plants for a Future'', June 2004, retrieved March 23, 2007.</ref>

Okra seeds are normally soaked overnight{{wp}} before planting and then planted 1-2 cm deep{{wp}} when the ground is warm{{wp}}; they will tolerate poor [[soil]]s{{wp}} with heavy [[clay]]{{wp}} and intermittent moisture{{wp}}. [[Germination]] ranges from six days (soaked seeds){{wp}} to three weeks (watered seeds  followed by a cool spell){{wp}}. Seedlings require good watering{{wp}}.

Okra leaves are tender and mild to eat. They make a nice addition to salad, and when cooked, give a slight okra flavor.

You may sow seeds in early spring in a warm greenhouse{{pfaf}}. The seed germinates in 27 days at 15°c or 6 days at 35°c{{pfaf133}}. When large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts{{pfaf200}}.

==Nutrients==

==Cultivars==

:''Per 100 grams of Okra (raw or ''hilaw'')''

*'Annie Oakley' - The slender, five-angled pods are light green in colour and 18 - 22cm long{{pfaf183}}. They are spineless and remain tender as they grow to a large size{{pfaf183}}. An F1 hybrid, it ripens earlier than open-pollinated cultivars and can therefore succeed in cooler climates, though it is still more suited to protected cultivation in Britain{{pfaf183}}{{pfafK}}. The plants are compact, uniform and heavy yielding, reaching a height of about 1 metre{{pfaf183}}. A harvest can be produced within 45 days from sowing the seed{{pfaf183}}.

*'Dwarf Green Longpod' - Plants are up to 90cm tall with pods to 20cm{{pfaf264}}. A fast-maturing plant, it can crop within 50 days from seed{{pfaf264}}.

*'Emerald Spineless' - An early-maturing variety that is more tolerant of cooler temperate conditions, it is worthwhile trying it outdoors in Britain{{pfaf200}}.

*'Pentagreen' - The five-angled, slightly spiny pods are medium-green in colour and up to 15cm long, though for best quality they should be harvested when about half that size{{pfaf183}}. An early and high-yielding cultivar, producing sturdy, compact plants from 45 - 75cm tall{{pfaf183}}. They are very productive, even in areas usually considered too cool for okras{{pfaf183}}. They can produce a crop within 55 days from sowing the seed{{pfaf183}}.

===Proximates===

==Gallery==

{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery  -->

*[[Fiber]] (3.2 g)

*[[Folate]] (87.8 mcg)

Image:Upload.png| photo 2

==See also==

==References==

Some other food plants have been given common names alluding to their similarities to okra:

*http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Abelmoschus+esculentus

*[[Molokhiya]], also called "bush okra"

*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

*[[Luffa]], also called "Chinese okra"

<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

==Notes==

==External links==

{{stub}}

{{Cookbook|Okra}}