Okra
Raw unprocessed okra fiber
From left: Okra, flax, water hyacinth, banana.
Okra
[Abelmoschus esculentus]
Family
Malvaceae
Height
Up to 2 meter
Location and climate
Tropical and subtropical climate.
Pollination
The okra plant is self-pollinating.
Usage
The okra fiber is extracted from the stem of the plant and is a bast fiber.
The pods are edible and so are the fresh leaves. Okra oil is produced from the seeds.
The slime from the plant has a special molecular structure well suited for degradable packaging and the slime is used for purification of textile waste water (as activated carbons made from okra residue)
The fibers from the stem is used for reinforcement of composite material and concrete. The okra fiber can also be used for textile manufacturing but preferred mixed with other fibers.
