Scientific Name Classification and Family of Lady Finger Plant
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
1. What is the botanical name of lady finger?
The botanical name of lady finger is Abelmoschus esculentus. It is a flowering plant belonging to the family Malvaceae.
- Common names: Lady finger, okra, bhindi
- Genus: Abelmoschus
- Species: esculentus
- It is widely cultivated as a vegetable crop in tropical and subtropical regions.
2. What family does lady finger belong to?
Lady finger belongs to the plant family Malvaceae, also known as the mallow family. This family includes economically important plants.
- Examples: Hibiscus, cotton (Gossypium)
- Plants usually have mucilaginous tissues
- Flowers are typically large and showy
- Leaves are often palmately lobed
3. What is the common name of Abelmoschus esculentus?
The common name of Abelmoschus esculentus is lady finger, also popularly called okra or bhindi. These names are used in different regions worldwide.
- India: Bhindi or lady finger
- USA and Africa: Okra
- It is consumed as a green vegetable due to its edible pods.
4. What type of plant is lady finger?
Lady finger is an annual herbaceous plant grown mainly for its edible green pods. It completes its life cycle in one growing season.
- Kingdom: Plantae
- It is a flowering plant (angiosperm)
- It shows dicot characteristics such as reticulate venation and taproot system
5. Is lady finger a monocot or dicot plant?
Lady finger is a dicotyledonous plant, meaning its seed contains two cotyledons. It shows typical features of dicots.
- Reticulate (net-like) leaf venation
- Taproot system
- Floral parts usually in multiples of five
- Belongs to the dicot family Malvaceae
6. What is the scientific classification of lady finger?
The scientific classification of lady finger places it under the species Abelmoschus esculentus in the plant kingdom. Its taxonomy is as follows:
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Angiosperms
- Class: Dicotyledonae
- Order: Malvales
- Family: Malvaceae
- Genus: Abelmoschus
- Species: esculentus
7. What part of the lady finger plant is eaten?
The edible part of the lady finger plant is its immature green fruit or pod. These tender pods are harvested before they become fibrous.
- The fruit is a capsule containing multiple seeds
- It is rich in dietary fiber and mucilage
- Used in cooking as a vegetable in many cuisines
8. Why is lady finger scientifically named Abelmoschus esculentus?
Lady finger is scientifically named Abelmoschus esculentus based on binomial nomenclature, where the first term indicates the genus and the second the species. The term “esculentus” means edible.
- Abelmoschus: Genus name
- esculentus: Latin word meaning edible
- Follows the binomial system introduced by Carl Linnaeus
9. What are the characteristics of Abelmoschus esculentus?
Abelmoschus esculentus is characterized by its tall herbaceous stem, lobed leaves, and elongated edible pods. It shows typical features of flowering dicot plants.
- Yellow flowers with a reddish center
- Palmately lobed leaves
- Mucilaginous (sticky) pods
- Taproot system
10. How does lady finger reproduce?
Lady finger reproduces sexually through flowers that develop into fruits containing seeds. It is a self-pollinated as well as cross-pollinated plant.
- Flowers contain both male (stamens) and female (pistil) parts
- Pollination occurs by insects or wind
- Fertilization leads to formation of a fruit (capsule) with seeds
