Abelmoschus moschatus

Abelmoschus moschatus (=Hibiscus abelmoschus), commonly known as Musk Mallow, belongs to the group of annual and biennial plants.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Abelmoschus moschatus 11.1 History 11.2 Abelmoschus moschatus in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Abelmoschus moschatus was described in 1787 by Friedrich Kasimir Medikus. The name is considered as validly published.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Musk Mallow is a species in the genus Abelmoschus (okra) which contains 20 species and belongs to the family of the Malvaceae (Mallow Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The plants grow to a height of approximately 1,5 meters.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Abelmoschus moschatus is a decidious plant with simple leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite one another. They are ovate with ciliate margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are five-petaled and pale yellow. The plants bloom from July to August. The flowers are arranged solitary.

The fruits are loculicidal capsules.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Abelmoschus moschatus is native to India and is naturalized in the tropics.

[edit] Cultivation

The Musk Mallow can withstand temperatures down to -6,6º C.

[edit] Uses

Abelmoschus moschatus is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Abelmoschus moschatus

[edit] History

[edit] Abelmoschus moschatus in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Abelmoschus moschatus in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Abelmoschus moschatusfr:Abelmoschus moschatus