Okra
Okra, or Gumbo, a garden plant closely related to the hibiscus. Okra produces a pod eaten in soups and stews and as a fried or boiled vegetable. The flavorful pods are a source of vitamin A. Old stems and pods are used for fibers to a small extent. Okra is native to tropical Africa and now grows in Europe, the West Indies, and the southern United States as well.
Okra plants grow from three to eight feet (90 to 240 cm) tall m warm, sandy loam. They have green, nonwoody stems; large, rough-edged leaves; and pale, yellowish flowers. The fruit of okra is a slender green pod that is moist and sticky. The pods are picked when they are two to seven inches (5 to 12 5 cm) in length.
The okra is Hibiscus esculentus of the mallow family, Malvaceae.
Okra produces a pod eaten in soups and stews and as a fried or boiled vegetable.