Catchfly, Rice urn, Lantern bubble
Silene conoidea

Family: Caryophyllaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 25-61 cm high. It has glandular hairs. The leaves are opposite. The lower leaves are spoon shaped and the leaves on the stem are sword shaped. They are 5-8 cm long by 5-10 mm wide. The flowers are pink. There are only a few flowers at the tip of the plant. The calyx tube is 2-3 cm long. The fruit is an oval capsule.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It occurs in western China. In Pakistan it grows up to 3,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Central Asia, China, Europe, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The young shoots are used as a potherb. The flower nectar us sucked or the sweet flowers eaten by children. The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Shoots, leaves, flower - nectar, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bashka, Dabbari, Garai, Inekbicigi, Ladheer, Maipiancai, Maihuaping, Manghotay, Mangotey, Mangoti, Sekrok, Sivananotu, Takla

Synonyms

Conosilene conoidea Fourr.; Cucubalus conoideus Lam.