Scientific Classification and Unique Features of Lady Finger
Ladies finger or Okra is one of the popular vegetables of India, and in more common terms, it is known as Bhindi. The growing season of ladies' fingers is summer, and their vegetative flower is extremely beautiful and of light yellow colour. Although it may also be grown in the winters. One of the main reasons why many farmers prefer growing okra is that they need very little care and water. They need at least six hours of sunlight for their proper growth.
Botanical Name of Ladies Finger
The botanical name of the lady’s finger is Abelmoschus esculentus and is commonly known as Okara.
Classification of Ladies Finger
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Abelmoschus
Species: esculentus
How to do the Harvesting of Okra?
Harvesting okra pods once they bloom must be done quickly. Pick ladies' finger pods as soon as they are mature to encourage regrowth. Ladies' fingers are 2 to 3 inches long when fully grown. A fresh pod will emerge if you cut the pods just above the cap. This method can be repeated throughout the season until the plant stops producing pods.
FAQs on What Is the Botanical Name of Lady Finger (Okra)?
1. What is the botanical name for the plant commonly known as Lady Finger or Okra?
The botanical name for Lady Finger, also widely known as Okra, is Abelmoschus esculentus. This scientific name is used globally to identify this specific plant, avoiding confusion from its many common names.
2. What is the complete taxonomic classification of Lady Finger (Abelmoschus esculentus)?
The scientific classification of Lady Finger follows the standard taxonomic hierarchy, which helps in understanding its relationship with other plants. The classification for the 2025-26 syllabus is as follows:
- Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)
- Clade: Angiosperms (Flowering plants)
- Order: Malvales
- Family: Malvaceae (The Mallow family)
- Genus: Abelmoschus
- Species: A. esculentus
3. To which family does Lady Finger belong, and what are its characteristic features?
Lady Finger (Okra) belongs to the Malvaceae family, commonly known as the mallow family. Key characteristics of this family include the presence of mucilage (a slimy substance) in their tissues and distinctive flowers with five separate petals. Other well-known members of this family include cotton and hibiscus.
4. Why is the system of binomial nomenclature, used for names like Abelmoschus esculentus, important in biology?
Binomial nomenclature is crucial in biology for several reasons:
- Universal Recognition: It provides a unique, standardized name for each species that is recognized by scientists worldwide, overcoming language barriers.
- Avoids Confusion: Common names like 'Lady Finger', 'Bhindi', and 'Okra' can vary by region. A scientific name like Abelmoschus esculentus refers to only one specific plant.
- Shows Relationships: The genus name (Abelmoschus) indicates its close evolutionary relationship with other species in the same genus.
5. Botanically speaking, is the part of the Lady Finger we eat a fruit or a vegetable?
From a botanical perspective, the part of the Lady Finger plant that we consume is technically a fruit. This is because it is the mature, seed-bearing ovary of the flowering plant. However, in a culinary context, it is prepared and widely used as a vegetable in various dishes.
6. What are some other common names for Abelmoschus esculentus used around the world?
Besides Lady Finger and Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus is known by many other names globally. In India, it is popularly called Bhindi. In parts of the United States and the Caribbean, it is often referred to as gumbo. These different names highlight the importance of its universal botanical name in scientific communication.
7. What is the meaning behind the two parts of the botanical name, Abelmoschus and esculentus?
Each part of a botanical name provides specific information about the plant. For Abelmoschus esculentus:
- Abelmoschus: The genus name is derived from Arabic, where 'abu-l-mosk' means 'father of musk,' referring to the musky fragrance of the seeds of some species within this genus.
- esculentus: The species name is Latin for 'edible' or 'fit for eating,' directly describing its primary use as a food source.
