Abelmoschus is a genus of about fifteen species of flowering plants in the family Malvaceae, native to tropical Africa, Asia and northern Australia. It was formerly included within Hibiscus, but is now classified as a distinct genus. The genus name derives from Arabic meaning 'father of musk' or 'source of musk' referring to the scented seeds.

The genus comprises annual and perennial herbaceous plants, growing to 2 m tall. The leaves are 10–40 cm long and broad, palmately lobed with 3-7 lobes, the lobes are very variable in depth, from barely lobed, to cut almost to the base of the leaf. The flowers 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 seeds.

Abelmoschus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Chionodes hibiscella which has been recorded on A. moschatus.

Species

Plants of the World Online currently includes:

  • Abelmoschus angulosus
  • Abelmoschus caillei – West African okra
  • Abelmoschus crinitus
  • Abelmoschus enbeepeegearensis
  • Abelmoschus esculentus – okra
  • Abelmoschus ficulneus – white wild musk mallow
  • Abelmoschus hostilis
  • Abelmoschus manihot – aibika
  • Abelmoschus moschatus – abelmosk
  • Abelmoschus muliensis
  • Abelmoschus odishae
  • Abelmoschus palianus
  • Abelmoschus rhodopetalus

Uses

Several species are edible, with both the young seed pods and the young leaves being eaten as a vegetable. The most important commercially-grown species is okra.

Abelmoschus manihot (aibika) furnishes cordage like jute, and Abelmoschus moschatus (abelmosk) is grown for musk seeds (musk ambrette, a musk substitute, which can cause phytophotodermatitis).

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Abelmoschus sagittifolius at Kudayathoor.jpg|Abelmoschus sagittifolius in Kerala, India

Abelmoschus manihot ssp tetraphyllus W IMG 2169.jpg|Abelmoschus manihot ssp. tetraphyllus in Goa, India.

Abelmoschus manihot ssp tetraphyllus W IMG 2166.jpg|Abelmoschus manihot ssp. tetraphyllus in Goa, India.

Abelmoschus manihot ssp tetraphyllus W IMG 2157.jpg|Abelmoschus manihot ssp. tetraphyllus in Goa, India.

Abelmoschus manihot ssp tetraphyllus W2 IMG 2157.jpg|Abelmoschus manihot ssp. tetraphyllus in Goa, India.

Abelmoschus ficulneus (Jungli Bhendi) leaves in Kawal, AP W IMG 2221.jpg|Abelmoschus ficulneus leaves in Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary, India.

Abelmoschus ficulneus (Jungli Bhendi) leaves in Kawal, AP W IMG 2216.jpg|Abelmoschus ficulneus leaves in Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary, India.

Abelmoschus ficulneus (Jungli Bhendi) in Kawal, AP W IMG 2214.jpg|Abelmoschus ficulneus flower in Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary, India.

Abelmoschus ficulneus (Jungli Bhendi) fruit in Kawal, AP W IMG 2218.jpg|Abelmoschus ficulneus fruit in Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary, India.

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References

  • Kundu BC, Biswas C. 1973. Anatomical characters for distinguishing the genera Abelmoschus and Hibiscus. Proc. Indian Sci. Congr. 60. (3): 295