Abelmos Musky

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Abelmoschus musk (Latin Abelmoschus moschatus) - a herbaceous perennial plant of the Abelmoschus genus (Latin Abelmoschus) of the Malvaceae family (Latin Malvaceae). Born in the tropics of East India, the plant has gained worldwide popularity due to its seeds, which exude the scent of musk, which is used by perfumers in the production of products. Enterprising people began to cultivate the plant in tropical regions of Africa, central America, as well as in the Seychelles and Madagascar. The fruits of the plant are used in food, like many vegetable crops.

What's in your name

The Latin name of this species is similar to the phrase “oil oil”, since both in the name of the genus and in the specific epithet the word “musk” is the basis. The plant owes this name to the smell of its seeds, the Arabic name of the plant, as well as Friedrich Medikus, a German botanist who was born in the 18th century and left for a better world at the beginning of the 19th century.

The popular name of the plant is widespread - "Musk mallow". Another plant is called "Musk okra".

Since plants of this genus were previously attributed to the genus Hibiscus, the plant has a synonym name - "Hibiscus abelmoschus".

Description

Abelmos musky is a perennial, fast-growing herb that forms a shrub-like community. Under natural conditions, the height of plants reaches two meters, but when grown in culture as annuals, the height of plants varies from 50 to 60 centimeters.

The deeply cut lobed leaves of Abelmos musky have from three to seven lobes, are colored dark green, and the surface of the leaf plate is covered with hairy pubescence. The leaves are picturesque and attractive.

The decorativeness of Abelmos musk increases with the appearance of bright yellow funnel-shaped flowers with purple centers. Breeders have bred varieties whose flower petals attract with shades of pink, orange-red or red with white centers. Although the life of one flower is fleeting (only one day), under favorable conditions the plant blooms profusely throughout the growing season.

However, people are much more attracted not by the external beauty of the plant, but by the fruits that appear in the place of pollinated hermaphrodite flowers. The seed pods of Abelmos musk are used as nutritious and beneficial vegetables for humans, and an essential oil with a musky smell is obtained from the seeds.

Growing conditions

Abelmos musky is a fairly cold-resistant plant, and therefore it can be grown not only in the tropics, but also in regions with a temperate climate, where there are no severe frosts in winter. The plant likes sunny places, moderately fertile, moist soil with good drainage. The best time for flowering, of course, is a hot summer, and therefore, when grown in temperate climates, they use the seedling method, planting the plant in open ground when the danger of late spring frosts has passed.

Usage

Abelmos musk is grown as an ornamental scenic plant, as well as a vegetable crop. Young shoots, leaves and fruits are eaten, like other vegetables, fresh and processed (stewed, fried, boiled and canned).

The seeds are used to flavor various drinks (coffee, liqueurs). The essential oil obtained from the seeds is used by perfumers and culinary specialists. They are flavored with sweets, ice cream, soft drinks and baked goods. The roasted seeds are reminiscent of Sesame seeds in taste and aroma.

The flowers of the plant are used to flavor tobacco.

The roots of Abelmos musk are used in the paper industry to alter the absorption and wear characteristics of paper.

Various parts of Abelmos musk are used in Ayurveda herbal medicine.