Abelmoschus moschatus - Musk Mallow

Habitat

Exposition

Plein soleil

Humidité

Humidité moyenne.

Sol

Tous sols. Nécessite un sol drainant.

pH

Sol acide ou calcaire

Rusticité

Zone 9

Habitat originel

Open places in Nepal at elevations of 600 - 1100 metres[272]. Flat areas, valleys, stream sides and scrub slopes in western and southern China[266].

Origine géographique

S.E. Asia - Himalayas to China and Vietnam.

Comestibilité

• Young leaves and shoots - cooked in soups [183, 272].
• Used as a vegetable [238].
• The leaves are also used to clarify sugar [183].
• Unripe seedpods - cooked as a vegetable in much the same way as okra (A. esculentus) [183, 238, 272].
• Graines - cuites [272].
• It is fried or roasted and has a flavour similar to sesame seeds [272].
• The seed is also used as a flavouring for liqueurs or to scent coffee [183, 238].
• An essential oil is obtained from the plant and is used to flavour baked goods, ice cream, sweets and soft drinks [183].
• Racine [183].
• No more details are given, though the root is likely to have a bland flavour and a fibrous texture .

Usages médicinaux

• An emulsion made from the seed is antispasmodic and is especially effective in the digestive system [4, 238].
• The seeds are also chewed as a nervine, stomachic and to sweeten the breath [4, 238].
• They are also said to be aphrodisiac [4, 238].
• The seeds are valued medicinally for their diuretic, demulcent and stomachic properties .
• They are also said to be stimulant, antiseptic, cooling, tonic, carminative and aphrodisiac .
• A paste of the bark is applied to cuts, wounds and sprains [272].
• The essential oil is used in aromatherapy for the treatment of depression and anxiety [238].
• It is also applied externally to treat cramp, poor circulation and aching joints [238].

Autres usages

• An essential oil is obtained from the plant [238].
• It is used as a food flavouring and in perfumery as a musk substitute [238].
• However, it has been known to cause photosensitivity so this use has been largely discontinued [238].
• An oil obtained from the seed contains 18.9% linoleic acid [240].
• The oil is f high econmic value [266].
• Total yields of oil are not given [K].
• The seeds are used as an insecticide [4, 238].
• Another report says that extracts of the fruits and upper parts of the plant show insecticidal activity [240].
• A fibre is obtained from the stem bark [238].
• It is used to make ropes [272].
• A mucilage obtained from the roots is used as a size for paper [238].

Culture

• Easily grown in a rich well-drained soil in a sunny position [238].
• Tolerates a pH in the range 6 to 7.8 .
• This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c and can be grown outdoors in the milder areas of the country [238].
• The plant grows as a shrub in frost-free climates but is usually cut back to the ground in British winters .
• So long as these winters are not too cold, however, it can usually be grown as a herbaceous perennial with new shoots being produced freely from the root-stock .
• These flower in the summer [238].
• It is probably wise to apply a good mulch to the roots in the autumn [K].
• It is best to cut back the stems to about 15cm long in the spring even if they have not been killed back by the frost [238].
• This will ensure an abundance of new growth and plenty of flowers in the summer .
• The musk mallow is widely cultivated in tropical climates for its many uses [238].
• There is at least one named form, selected for its ornamental value .
• 'Mischief' is somewhat smaller than the species, reaching a height of 50cm [238].

Propagation

• Seed - sow April in a greenhouse .
• The seed germinates best at a temperature around 24 - 24°c [238].
• When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots of rich soil and plant them out after the last expected frosts [K].
• The seed can also be sown in situ in late April in areas with warm summers .
• Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July in a frame [238].