Corchorus orinocensis

Native from southern Mexico through Central America and the Caribbean into South America, it is an annual herb with upright stems, sometimes becoming woody at the base. It reaches about three feet tall. The alternate, elongated leaves have pointed tips and toothed edges. Small yellow flowers grow singly or in small groups opposite the leaves, with five spoon-shaped petals and numerous projecting stamens. The slender, cylindrical seed capsules are slightly curved and taper to a pointed tip. They split into two valves to release numerous small black seeds. In Colombia, its tough, fibrous stems have been used to make rustic brooms. Photographed in Atlántico, Colombia.