Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus, known in some English-speaking countries as lady's fingers, is a flowering plant in the mallow family native to East Africa. It has edible green seed pods. Cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions around the world, okra is used in the cuisines of many countries.
Image: Hong Kong Okra Aug 25 2012
Image: Ladies' Finger BNC
Whole plant with blossom and immature pod
Plants about one week after germination, Oklahoma
Malvaceae, or the mallows, is a family of flowering plants estimated to contain 244 genera with 4225 known species. Well-known members of economic importance include okra, cotton, cacao, roselle and durian. There are also some genera containing familiar ornamentals, such as Alcea (hollyhock), Malva (mallow), and Tilia. The genera with the largest numbers of species include Hibiscus, Pavonia, Sida, Ayenia, Dombeya, and Sterculia.
Malvaceae
Swamp rose mallow
Common mallow (Malva sylvestris)
Alcea rosea, the hollyhock, is a common garden flower in Malvaceae