Musk mallow (Abelmoschus moschatus) is also known as Kasturi Bhindi or Musk Malwa in Hindi. This plant is approximately 1 to 2 meters tall, and its leaves are palm-like, with cut edges. The flowers of Musk mallow are large, yellow in color, and dark in the middle, which look very beautiful. Its seeds have a light musk-like fragrance. This plant grows easily and is very attractive to look at.
Scientific Name: Abelmoschus moschatus
Some Basic Information about Musk Mallow (Abelmoschus moschatus)
Habit: Perennial herb or undershrub, can reach up to 2.5 m tall, hispid (hairy/prickly)
Root: Tap root
Stem: Simple, bristly to prickly
Leaf: Orbicular or broadly ovate, 3-7 lobed or entire, margin toothed, stipules linear
Inflorescence: Solitary, axillary, flower stalk up to 8 cm
Flower: Showy, large (up to 10 cm), yellow with a deep purple base
Calyx: Sepals 5, fused (gamosepalous), valvate aestivation, false sepals (epicalyx) 6-10
Corolla: Petals 5, free, spreading, often fringed
Androecium: Stamens numerous, monadelphous (forming a tube), anthers dithecous
Gynoecium: Ovary superior, 5-celled, style passes through the staminal tube, stigma 5-branched
Fruit: Capsule, ovoid, hispid (with bristles)
Floral Formula: Br ⊕ ⚥ K(5) C5 A∞ G(5)
Systematic Position:
Division: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledonae
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Abelmoschus
Species: moschatus
