Mandarin plant, Sierra Leone lily
Chlorophytum orchidastrum

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A lily plant that grows 20-40 cm high. The roots are thick and fleshy and form small tubers. The leaves are broad and sword shaped. They are in rings at the top of the rhizomes. It forms clumps. The flowers are are white and in spikes.

Also put in the family Anthericaceae and Liliaceae.

Where it is found

It needs a tropical or subtropical climate. It needs moist soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Gabon, India, Indochina, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, West Africa (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

How it is grown

It can be grown by division or using offsets or the bulbs. It can also be grown from seeds. These are collected from pods that dry on the plants.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Chlorophytum macropodum K. Krause; Chlorophytum mannii Baker; and others