Corchorus olitorius

(Jute)

Description

This plant has been grown around the world as a fibre crop as well as for food, now naturalised in Australia. Plant erect, it can grow to about 2 m tall; leaves are alternate, narrowly ovate to ovate, 3-veined at the base of the leaf blade, margins serrate, 2 lower teeth are elongated to form a pair of tails to 1.5 cm long. Flowers few together, petals 5, yellow, stamens numerous. Fruit a 5-6 valved cyclindrical capsule, 3-8 cm long.