Edgaria darjeelingensis
Family: Cucurbitaceae
What it is like
A pumpkin family plant. It is a climbing herb. It has tendrils. The leaf stalk is 4-6 cm long. It is hairy when young. The leaves are oval or heart shaped and 8-12 cm long by 6-10 cm wide. The male flowers occur as 10-16 in a group. The fruit are oval and 3 angled and 6-7 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. The seeds are 13-14 mm long by 9 mm wide.
There is only one Edgaria species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in broad-leaved forests and grassland at about 1,700 m above sea level in Tibet.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Tibet
How it is used for food
The young buds are used in curry. The fruit are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Buds, fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Chathil