The species is an annual or perennial, growing to 2 m tall. The fruit is a capsule up to 18 cm long, containing numerous seeds, valued for its edible green fruits. Okra also known as ladyfinger and gumbo, is a flowering plant in the mallow family (along with such species as cotton, cocoa, and hibiscus), valued for its edible green fruits. The species is an annual or perennial, growing to 2 m tall. The leaves are 10–20 cm long and broad, palmately lobed with 5–7 lobes. The fruit is a capsule up to 18 cm long, containing numerous seeds.