See text Abelmoschus is a genus of about fifteen species of flowering plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae), native to tropical Africa, Asia and northern Australia.

It was formerly included within Hibiscus, but is now classified as a distinct genus.

[2][3] The genus comprises annual and perennial herbaceous plants, growing to 2 m tall.

The fruit is a capsule, 5–20 cm long, containing numerous seeds.

Plants of the World Online currently includes:[4] Several species are edible, with both the young seed pods and the young leaves being eaten as a vegetable.