Snow creeper
Dinetus racemosus

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A twining herb. It usually grows 2-3 m long but can be much longer. The stems are angular and initially hairy. The leaf stalks are 3-7 cm long. The leaf blades are deeply heart shaped and 6-17 cm long by 4-9 cm wide. It is paler and hairy underneath. The flowering stalks occur singly or in pairs. They can be 13-45 cm long. The flowers are funnel shaped and usually white. The fruit is light brown and narrowly oval.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in open sites in forest and scrub. It grows between 1,000-2,000 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, East Timor, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Tibet, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, West Timor

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten with pepper, either fresh or dried. The fruit stalks are eaten when food is scarce.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit stalks

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bai hua teng, Bhowri, Gariya, Ma-ywe

Synonyms

Porana gagnepainiana H. Lev.; Porana racemosa Roxb.; Porana racemosa var. tomentella C. Y. Wu; Porana racemosa var. violacea C. Y. Wu; Porana malabarica C.B.Clarke; ?