Indian squill, True squill, Sea-onion
Urginea indica
Family: Asparagaceae
What it is like
A herb. It has a bulb. It has a flowering stalk 30-100 cm high. The flowers are greenish-white. The flowers appear before the leaves. There are 4-15 flowers. The leaves are in a ring at ground level. They are 13-25 cm long by 0.6-2.5 cm wide. The bulb can be 6-8 cm across.
Also put in the family Hyacinthaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows on the Deccan in India. In the Himalayas it grow up to 2,000 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Kenya, Myanmar, SE Asia, Senegal, West Africa
How it is used for food
The leaves are eaten in times of scarcity.
Famine food
Edible parts
Leaves, root, caution
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Adairirulli, Adavithellagadda, Ban piyazi, Ghesuwia, Jangli kanda, Jangli piyaz, Kachwassal, Kattulli, Kochinda, Koli-kanda, Kolkanda, Nakkavulligadda, Narivangayam, Ndudunde, Padaing-kyettun, Ranacha kanda, Rankanda, Sudarshan, Vanapandan