okra, Abelmoschus esculentus

The wonderful flowers of okra can get up to three inches across. I'm surprised it's not grown more often in flower gardens instead of veggie plots. Okra has been cultivated for so long, in so many places, that its origin has become obscure. Maybe in northeast Africa, maybe west Africa, maybe the Indian subcontinent. It is of course now an important part of our southern cuisine. It is sometimes called gumbo, as are the dishes it is used in. Okra has spread to the wild in CT, FL, IL, KY, LA, MD, MI, MS, NC, SC, and VA. Beal Garden, MSU, 9/14/12. Mallow family, Malvaceae.