Okra

Catalogue Type

Seed Catalogue

Scientific Name

Abelmoschus esculentus

Family

Malvaceace

Distinguishing Characters

Seeds are dark brown or gray, globose to reniform, 5-15 per locule, (3-)4-5(-6) mm, striate, minutely warty.

Photo of Seed

Description

Nutritionally, the richest part of the okra plant is the seed.

Although the oil of the okra seed after processing is edible, and the residual meal following oil extraction is significantly rich in protein, the seed is not traditionally used for either oil or protein, but rather for seedling and regeneration purposes.

The seeds of mature okra pods, sometimes used as poultry feed, are also consumed after roasting, and as a coffee substitute.