Okra
Okra: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
Okra is a fruiting vegetable with long, pointed capsules. Its botanical name is Abelmoschus esculentus, and it belongs to the mallow family, Malvaceae, alongside hibiscus. Large flowers are another attraction, with pale yellow petals and a dark centre. The plant therefore combines ornamental interest with fruit whose distinctive texture has an important role in several cuisines. Okra is also known as ladies’ fingers, a name that refers to the shape of some pods.The plant is upright, with fairly sturdy stems and large lobed leaves. The leaf outline resembles an open hand. Size varies with variety and conditions: some forms suit smaller spaces, while others grow taller. In some garden conditions, plants approach a metre in height. Stems, leaves and some fruit carry small hairs. This combination of broad foliage and an upright outline gives the plant a substantial presence.Flowers appear in the leaf joints. They are followed by elongating capsules…
