Baimo
Fritillaria verticillata
Family: Liliaceae
What it is like
A bulb plant. It grows 60 cm high. The leaves are slender and mid green and in rings. There are 2 leaves opposite each other at the base then 4-7 leaves in a ring. The flowers are in loose spikes or up to 15 bell shaped flowers. They are white with faint green lines.
There are about 100 Fritillaria species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It is native to the mountains of Central Asia. It grows in gravelly meadows between 1,300-2,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Central Asia (country/location of origin), China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Siberia, Tasmania, Tibet
How it is used for food
The young plants, petals and flower buds are parboiled and used in soups, and seasoned potherbs. They are also cooked with soy sauce. The bulbs are eaten fried or candied. Caution: Most fritillarias are poisonous if eaten.
It is a cultivated food plant.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves, root, bulb, caution