Vendakkai, bhindi in Hindi, is okra or lady’s finger, a hibiscus-family plant whose green, ridged pods are one of India’s most popular vegetables. India grows more okra than any other country. Its pods are full of mucilage, which thickens gumbo in the American South and makes careless cooking slimy. It probably originated in Africa.
- Botanical name
- Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Tamil
- Vendakkai
- Hindi
- Bhindi
- Sanskrit
- Bhindā
- Parts used
- Young fruit, Leaves in some kitchens
- Habit
- Okra, a hibiscus-family vegetable with ridged, slimy pods
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Vendai
It is an upright annual, usually waist- to head-high, with hairy, sometimes reddish stems.
The leaves are large and palmately lobed, rough to the touch.
The flowers are large, pale yellow with a crimson centre, like a hibiscus.
The pods are long, tapering and five- to eight-ridged, green or red, with round seeds inside.
Pods become woody within days if not picked.
Traditional use of Vendai
Kitchen
Bhindi masala and vendakkai poriyal are everyday dishes, and okra goes into Tamil puli kuzhambu and sambar.
Indian food practice
Kitchen
In the southern United States okra thickens gumbo, a dish with West African roots.
American food practice
Kitchen
In West Africa dried okra powder thickens soups.
West African food practice
Modern notes on Vendai
The mucilage is a soluble fibre made of complex sugars.
Okra supplies vitamin C, folate and fibre.
Yellow vein mosaic virus, spread by whiteflies, is the main disease of Indian okra.
Drying pods before cutting and cooking with tamarind or tomato reduce sliminess.
Vendai safety
Okra is a safe food. Its pods and leaves have fine hairs that can irritate skin when harvesting, so wear gloves.
Ecology and sourcing
It is related to hibiscus and cotton.
Bees visit its large flowers.
It needs heat and grows through the Indian summer and monsoon.
Related plants
Also in Malvaceae
Questions about Vendai
How do I stop okra from being slimy?
Dry it before cutting and cook with acid.
Is okra related to hibiscus?
Yes.
Why is Vendai called lady’s finger?
Its slender pods look like fingers.
Where did okra come from?
Probably Africa.
When should pods be picked?
Young, before they turn woody.
Sources
- Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q80531 (Abelmoschus esculentus)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.