Telosma pallida

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A twining shrub. The bark is pale brown. It is somewhat corky. The leaves have stalks. They are 4-9.5 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. They are sword shaped to heart shaped. They taper to the tip. They are dull dark green above and pale underneath. The flowers are yellow. They occur in umbrella shaped arrangements. The fruit is a many seeded dry fruit. It is long and has wrinkles along it. It tapers to a blunt point.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 300-900 m altitude. It grows in moist, open places. It climbs on shrubby hedges.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The flowers are fried and eaten as a vegetable. The fruit are eaten. The young leaves are eaten boiled or stir-fried.

Edible parts

Flowers, fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Asare phul, Surkila, Varshadodi

Synonyms

Asclepias pallida Roxb.; Pergularia pallida (Roxb.) Wight & Arnott;