Abelmoschus caillei
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| Abelmoschus caillei (A.Chev.) Stevels |
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[edit] Synonym
Hibiscus manihot var. caillei A.Chev. (1940).[1] [2]
[edit] Vernacular names
West African okra (English); Gombo ouest-africain, gumbo ouest-africain (French).[1][2]
[edit] Distribution
The genus Abelmoschus originated in South-East Asia. West African okra, however, is a cultigen occurring mainly in West and Central Africa. It has been reported from Guinea to Nigeria in West Africa, in Cameroon, Gabon and DR Congo in Central Africa, and in Uganda in East Africa. Its distribution is restricted to humid and perhumid climates in Africa, between 12°N and 12°S, most commonly between 5°N and 10°N, whereas the common okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) can be found worldwide throughout the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate regions.[1][2]
[edit] Uses in tropical Africa
Young immature fruits are an important vegetable, consumed cooked or fried. In West Africa they are usually boiled in water to make slimy soups and sauces. Fruits can be dried, whole or sliced, and subsequently conserved. Before selling, the dried product is usually ground to a powder. Young leaves are sometimes consumed as spinach.[1][2]
There are no apparent differences in uses between West African and common okra. The extent to which the uses mentioned below apply to West African okra is unknown. Leaves are considered good cattle feed, but this is seldom compatible with the plant’s primary use for human consumption. Okra mucilage is suitable for medicinal and industrial applications. It has been used as a blood plasma replacement or blood volume expander. Leaves are sometimes used as a basis for poultices, as an emollient, sudorific or antiscorbutic and to treat dysuria. Okra mucilage has been added as size to glaze paper, and is used in confectionery. The bark contains a fibre which is suitable for spinning into rope and for paper and cardboard manufacture. The fibre has been locally used for fishlines and game traps, but fibre harvesting is incompatible with fruit harvesting. Roasted seeds of okra are used in some areas as a substitute for coffee.[1][2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (2004) Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen; Backhuys, Leiden; CTA, Wageningen.
- ^ a b c d e PROTAbase on Abelmoschus caillei
[edit] External links
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