ambrette

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Annual Hibiscus
• Musk Mallow
• Musk Okra
• Musky-seeded hibiscus
• Native Rosella
• Ornamental Okra
• Tropical Jewel Hibiscus
• musk-mallow
• tropical jewel-hibiscus
• Abelmosk
• Okra

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hibiscus abelmoschus var. genuinus
• Hibiscus moschatus
• Hibiscus abelmoschus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Abelmoschus moschatus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Its taxonomic hierarchy concludes with the genus Abelmoschus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Abelmoschus moschatus, is found across several regions within West Tropical Africa. Its geographical distribution includes the nation of Benin, where it grows naturally. It is also documented to be present in Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species can be located within the borders of Ghana and Guinea. Finally, the plant's range extends into the Ivory Coast, completing its regional presence.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Abelmoschus moschatus is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 1400 m AMSL. It typically establishes itself within specific ecological niches, most notably favoring dense secondary shrublands and ruderal vegetation. This preference for ruderal environments suggests the species is well-adapted to disturbed sites and transitional habitats where opportunistic growth is common.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

dense secondary shrub and ruderal vegetation

Genetics

The genetics of Abelmoschus moschatus are characterized by a complex polyploid genome, which significantly influences its morphological diversity and physiological robustness. A defining cytogenetic feature of this species is its chromosome number, which is documented as 72. This high chromosome count suggests a history of genome doubling or hybridization events, common within the Malvaceae family, which contributes to the genetic buffering and adaptive plasticity of the plant. Such polyploidy often results in increased cell size and enhanced secondary metabolite production, which are critical factors in the plant's medicinal efficacy. The structural complexity of its chromosomal makeup provides a vast genetic reservoir, allowing for significant phenotypic variation in response to environmental stressors.

Chromosome number :

72

Life history

The life history of Abelmoschus moschatus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, demonstrating a biological capacity to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its ecological strategy and structural habit, the plant functions as a therophyte, completing its seasonal growth cycle through a highly specialized life form. Specifically, its classification as a therophyte indicates that it survives unfavorable environmental conditions by retreating to a dormant state, typically relying on seeds to reappear in subsequent seasons, which aligns with its roles as both a nanophanerophyte and a functional therophyte within its native habitat.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Abelmoschus moschatus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb or shrub that typically exhibits a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a vine or liana. As a terrestrial plant, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, and it functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. The plant's stature is variable, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 4 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 1.83 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

1.83333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Abelmoschus moschatus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and environmental adaptations. The plant exhibits a non-succulent morphology, indicating a lack of specialized water-storage tissues within its structures. Its vegetative development involves the production of relatively large leaves, which can reach a maximum width of 30 cm and a maximum length of 20 cm. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, relying instead on soil nutrient availability.

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf width max:

30 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Abelmoschus moschatus is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops a capsule-type fruit, which typically exhibits a mean length of 5.5 cm, ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. This fruit is characterized as dehiscence, meaning it opens at maturity to release its contents. The seeds produced within the capsule are relatively uniform in mass, with a mean, minimum, and maximum seed mass all recorded at 0.0262 g, and individual seed lengths ranging between 3 mm and 4 mm. Once released, the seeds utilize a hydrochorous dispersal syndrome, leveraging water to transport them to new locations for germination.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Fruit length max:

8 cm

Fruit length mean:

5.5 cm

Fruit length min:

5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

4 mm

Seed length min:

3 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.0262 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Abelmoschus moschatus has 37 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (Z)-5-Tetradecen-14-olide, (z)-5-dodecenyl acetate, (z)-5-tetradecenyl acetate, 12,13-epoxyoleic acid, 5-dodecenyl acetate.

(Z)-5-Tetradecen-14-olide

1. Dr. Duke

(z)-5-dodecenyl acetate

1. Dr. Duke

(z)-5-tetradecenyl acetate

1. Dr. Duke

12,13-epoxyoleic acid

1. Dr. Duke

5-dodecenyl acetate

1. Dr. Duke

Ambrettol

1. Dr. Duke

Ambrettolic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Ambrettolide

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CAMPESTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Abelmoschus moschatus has 257 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antispasmodic

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Abelmoschus moschatus has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity, kidney diseases, retinoblastoma.

Most Reported Uses