Tropical Plant "Cow okra"
Parmentiera aculeate

Characteristics - The cow okra is a native of Central America, occasionally cultivated in the tropical regions of the country, as an ornamental. It is and evergreen tree, 4-10 m tall. New branches have small, strong thorns that rise on the nodes. Leaves trifoliate, with an alate petiole, membranaceous leaflets, glabrous on both surfaces, 3-7 cm long. Flowers solitary, large, androgynous, they grow directly on the trunk and main branches and form almost all year long. The fruits are indehiscent capsules, with and edible pulp, carnose, very fibrous, with small seeds, they ripen mainly in summer.

Uses - The fruits are consumed only in their natural state, chewed like one does with the sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum), however they are not much appreciated.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds and cuttings.