Okra (Ladies’ Fingers/Ochro/Abelmoschus Esculentus)

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a flowering plant that is grown as an annual in most regions, though the species is a perennial plant in the dry tropical regions where it is native. Okra is sometimes used as a landscape plant for its attractive flowers. However, it is usually grown as a vegetable crop for its edible seed pods that appear after the flowers bloom.

Okra is easy to grow and use and looks lovely throughout the growing season due to its beautiful flowers. The okra plant has an upright, branching growth habit; the palmate leaves have five to seven lobes, and the flowers are yellow or white, often with purplish centers. The plants grow quickly and will take close to two months to produce seed pods.