Streptolirion volubile

Family: Commelinaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is usually climbing. Stems can be 1-6 m long. It can be covered with yellow or brown hairs. The leaf stalk is 3-12 cm long. The leaves are heart shaped or round and 5-15 cm long by 3-15 cm wide. The flowers are white or pale purple.

There is only on Streptolirion species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in forests and on mountain slopes from near sea level to 3,200 m above sea level in southern China. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable and used in soup. They are also eaten raw.

They are palatable.

Edible parts

Leaves, young stem, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bi, Dang dai lu, Mailexu, Mi zuo wa, Mo dui dui han, Tadaro

Synonyms

Streptolirion cordifolium Kuntze; Streptolirion duclouxii H. Lev. & Vaniot; Streptolirion lineare Fukuoka & N. Kurosaki; Streptolirion mairei H. Lev.; Streptolirion volubile subsp. subalpinum C. Y. Wu; Tradescantia cordifolia Grif.;