Maianthemum henryi

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 50-80 cm tall. It has a rhizome 1-2 cm thick. There are 5-8 leaves. They are oval and 9-23 cm long by 4-11 cm wide. Flowers occur singly but with several along a stalk. They are yellowish green to white and funnel shaped.

Also put in the family Convallariaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in forests and thickets and moist places along streams between 1,300-4,000 m above sea level. It grows in Sichuan and Yunnan in China.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Myanmar, SE Asia, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled or stir-fried.

It is commonly eaten.

Edible parts

Shoots, leaves

How it is grown

In Yunnan leaves are harvested in May and June.

Its other names

Local names

Dong, Nibai, Plantoucai, Zhuyecai

Synonyms

Smilacina henryi (Baker) Hara; and others