Brown bell, Brown lily
Dipcadi erythraeum

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A bulb plant. It grows 4-8 cm high. It can be 15 cm high in sheltered locations. There are 2 or sometimes 3 narrow leaves that grow close to the ground. A drooping flower stalk has up to 14 bell shaped flowers. Each flower has 3 outer and 3 inner petals. The fruit is large and grey. It is divided into 3 parts lengthwise. The fruit is edible.

They have also been put in the families Hyacinthaceae and Liliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. In Bahrain it grows in gravelly or sandy soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Bahrain, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, UAE

How it is used for food

The bulbs are eaten in Pakistan.

Edible parts

Fruit, bulb

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ansalan, Ansel, Askanda, Bessail al maa, Busalamo, Jangali bussur, Misselmo

Synonyms

Dipcadi unicolor (Stocks) Baker; Uropetalum unicolor Stocks;