Theropogon pallidus

(Wall. ex Kunth) Maxim.

Asparagaceae Edible: Root, Bulb 8 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Description

A herb. The rhizome is about 1 cm thick. There are 6-10 leaves. They are 15-40 cm long by 4-12 mm wide. The flower stalk is 30-35 cm long. There are 9-14 flowers in a group.

Edible Uses

The roots and bulbs are eaten.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. In Sikkim it grows between 1,800-3,000 m above sea level. It grows in shady rocky slopes between 2,300-2,600 m above sea level in SW China. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Tibet,

Production

In Sikkim the bulbs are harvested in July and August.

Notes

There is only one Theropogon species.

Synonyms

Ophiopogon minor Royle ex Hook.f. [Invalid]Ophiopogon mollis Royle [Invalid)Ophiopogon pallidus Wall. ex Kunth

Also Known As

Chhikko

References (2)

Sundriyal, M., et al, 1998, Wild edibles and other useful plants from the Sikkim Himalaya, India. Oecologia Montana 7:43-54
Sundriyal, M., et al, 2004, Dietary Use of Wild Plant Resources in the Sikkim Himalaya, India. Economic Botany 58(4) pp 626-638