Bhendi, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.), belonging to the family
malvaceae is a herbaceous annual that grows upright to a height
of 3-7 feet, with bisexual flowers and erect vegetative growth
with or without branches.
Leaves sub orbicular, cordate, 5-20 cm across, angular Palmatilobed,
serrate; lobes ovate, lanceolate.
The flower bud develops in the leaf axil of each leaf above
the six to eight most basal leaves.
Flowers solitary, axillary; Epicalyx lobes 7-12, linear-lanceolate,
5-15 mm long, soon caducous; Calyx 2-3 cm long, silvery inside;
Corolla yellow or white , with a purple center; Petals obovate,
3-4 cm long; Staminal column 2.0-2.5cm long. Ovary (-9) celled;
Style 0 arms 5(-9); stigmas purple;
The fruit is a capsule, which may be light green, or sometimes red.
Capsules fusiform, acuminate, angular, sulcate, hispidulous; seeds
sub globose-reniform, 3-6mm across, dark brown or grey.
The greatest increase in fruit weight, length and diameter occurred
during fourth to sixth day after flowering. At this stage the quality
was also high in all the varieties.
Usually the fibre formation in the fruit starts from the fifth to
sixth day of formation and a sudden increase in fibre content from the
ninth day was seen.
The new strain IIHR-20-31 retained its tenderness up to the tenth
day.
Classification
Cultivars of Bhendi may be classified as dwarf, intermediate or tall,
according to the height of the plants.
Bhendi may also be classified according to pod length and whether
pods have distinct lengthwise ridges or are smooth.
Most commonly used cultivars have spineless fruits and range in colour
from creamy white to dark green.
Morphology
