Star grass, Golden-eyed grass
Curculigo orchioides

Family: Hypoxidaceae

What it is like

A small herb with grass like leaves. It grows from a tuber or corm. The leaves are large and sword shaped. They are folded like a fan. The flowers are yellow and small. They are star like. They are produced just near the ground. The fruit is a pale green berry.

There are 10 Curculigo species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Papua New Guinea it grows mostly below 1,000 m altitude. It occurs in open grassland at low and medium altitudes in the Philippines. In southern China it grows on open grassy slopes from near sea level to 1,600 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Guam, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Marianas, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The root tubers are cooked and eaten. They are also used for the preparation of drinks.

Edible parts

Roots, rhizome, tuber

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Black musale, Kaki musli, Kali musli, Kanyut-net, Kenda, Kuluthupokie, Mushali, Mutha-li, Nelatati-gadde, Nelatatygadda, Nela tengu, Nilappanai, Sha-wel, Sukui kita, Tala nuli, Toloangi, Wan prao

Synonyms

Curculigo brevifolia Dryand;