Xiao bai he
Lilium nanum
Family: Liliaceae
What it is like
A bulb plant. The bulb is oblong. It is 1.5-2.3 cm across. The scales are white. The stem is 10-30 cm long. The leaves are narrow and scattered. They are 6-11 cm long by 4-8.5 cm wide. The flower is single and nodding. The flowers are purple, red or yellow with deep purple spots. The fruit is a yellow capsule tinged with purple. It is 2.8 -3.5 cm long by 2-2.5 cm wide.
There are about 100 Lilium species.
Where it is found
A subtropical plant. It grows on the edges of forests and on grassy slopes in alpine grasslands between 3500-4500 m altitude in S China. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Tibet
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Root, bulb