Formerly classed as a species of hibiscus, now assigned to the genus Abelmoschus: an edible leafy green malvaceous plant closely related to okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). It is native to tropical Africa, Asia and northern Australia. In cooking, its seedpods are fried or used to thicken soups and stews. The roots of Abelmoschus manihot are used for cordage and are also the source of a mucilaginous substance used as a dispersion aid in traditional papermaking in East Asia.
