Abelmoschus moschatus subsp. tuberosus
Medik, (Span.) Borss. Waalk.
Climbing hibiscus, Musk mallow
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
GBIF
Florida Museum of Natural History Herbarium - University of Florida
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves, Root, Fruit, Vegetable
It has many culinary uses. The seeds are added to coffee; unripe pods ("musk okra"), leaves and new shoots are eaten as vegetables.
Where to Find It
It is a tropical plant. It grows in light well drained soils. It suits a protected lightly shaded position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It must grow where temperatures are above 5°C. It often grows in open forest and amongst annual grasses. It is often near creeks and in depressions on river flats. Because of the thickened root it is able to survive fires and dry periods.
Africa, Asia, Australia*, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, China, Congo DR, East Africa, Indochina, Laos, Madagascar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia, Taiwan, Vietnam,
How to Identify
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.
How to Grow
It can be grown by seed or cuttings. The underground tubers die off but re-grow. Plants can be transplanted easily during the time when the tops have died back.
Medicinal Uses
Different parts of the plant (latākastūrikā, लताकस्तूरिका, in Sanskrit) have uses in Ayurveda herbal medicine, including as an antispasmodic and to treat gonorrhea. However, use may result in phytophotodermatitis and it has not been proven safe for use during pregnancy and lactation.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Abelmoschus moschatus is an aromatic and species of medicinal plant in the family Malvaceae native to Asia and Australia. It has many common names, including Abelmosk, ambrette, annual hibiscus, Bamia Moschata, Galu Gasturi, muskdana, musk mallow, musk okra, ornamental okra, rose mallow, tropical jewel hibiscus, and Yorka okra.
Production
The plant flowers from December to March in the Southern hemisphere. Fruit occur from January to April. The stem die back each year to a tuberous root. This root tastes like a carrot.
Other Information
The plant is eaten in Australia but it is not known if it is used for food in PNG.
Notes
There are about 15 Abelmoschus species. They are tropical and subtropical.
Names & Synonyms
Jian ye qiu kui, Musk seed, Yabu
References (25)
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