| Abelmoschus moschatus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Abelmoschus |
| Species: | A. moschatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Abelmoschus moschatus Medik |
|
Abelmoschus moschatus (Abelmosk, Ambrette seeds, Annual hibiscus, Bamia Moschata, Galu Gasturi, Muskdana, Musk mallow, Musk okra, Musk seeds, Ornamental okra, Rose mallow seeds, Tropical jewel hibiscus, Yorka okra; syn. Hibiscus abelmoschus L.) is an aromatic and medicinal plant in the Malvaceae family, which is native to India.
Contents |
The seeds have a sweet, flowery, heavy fragrance similar to that of musk. Despite its tropical origin the plant is frost hardy.
Musk mallow seed oil was once frequently used as a substitute for animal musk; however this use is now mostly replaced by various synthetic musks due to costs.
It has many culinary uses. The seeds are added to coffee; unripe pods ("musk okra"), leaves and new shoots are eaten as vegetables.
Different parts of the plant have uses in traditional and complementary medicine, not all of which have been scientifically proven. It is also considered an insecticide.
In industry the root mucilage provides sizing for paper; tobacco is sometimes flavoured with the flowers.