Lady Finger, also termed as Okra in USA and Europe, is a flowering plant. This plant is known for its edible green fruits, or long green pods. It's scientific name is "abelmoschus esculentus" and also "hibiscus esculentus". For centuries, this green vegetable has been widely grown across most of the African and Asian region. It is cultivated in warm temperate and tropical regions of the world for its fibrous fruits or pods containing round, white seeds. The fruits are harvested when immature and eaten as a vegetable. The plant prefers warm climate and tolerates poor soils with heavy clay and intermittent moisture. It is in the same plant family as hibiscus and cotton.

It is used in preparing many yummy and delicious dishes. When cut, it releases a sticky material with thickening properties, often used in soups and stews. Gumbos, Brunswick stew, and pilaus are some well-known dishes which frequently use okra.

It is low in Sodium, Saturated Fat and Cholesterol, thus, an ideal diet for human consumption.

High in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, thiamin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Manganese, Protein, Riboflavin, Niacin, Iron, Zinc and Copper.

It is popular in India and Pakistan, where chopped pieces are stir fried with spices, pickled, salted or added to gravy-based preparations.