Saussurea tridactyla
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A herb. It grows 8-15 cm tall. It keeps growing from year to year. The rootstock is usually branched and there is a single erect stem. There are a ring of leaves at the base and leaves on the stem. The lower ones have leaf stalks. The leaves are spoon shaped and 5-25 mm long by 2-6 mm wide. There are 3-6 lobes along the edge. There are several flower heads in a half round arrangement 2-3 cm across
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows on alpine scree slopes between 4,300-5,300 m above sea level in Tibet. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Northeastern India, Sikkim, Tibet
How it is used for food
The flowers are eaten raw. The young shoots are eaten as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Flowers, shoots
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Mahaguru, Mathok-khangla