China lily
Peliosanthes teta

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A herb. It has a short stem. There are 4-8 leaves. The leaf stalk is 20-30 cm long. It is slightly flattened. The leaves are narrowly oval and 16-23 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowering stalk is 3-20 cm long. The flowers are in clusters or 2-5 in a reduced panicle. They are purple.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in forests at about 600 m above sea level in southern China. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, China (country/location of origin), Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The flowers are eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Bujar hilir, Cu hua qiu zi cao, Derhaka mertua

Synonyms

Peliosanthes altissima Donn; Peliosanthes graminea Ridl.; and others