Ornithogalum gracillimum
R. E. Fries
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Wikimedia Commons - ChriKo
wikimedia· cc-by-sa
Wikimedia Commons - ChriKo
Description
A bulb plant. It grows 20 cm tall. The bulb is 2 cm across. The leaves are narrow and 17 cm long. The flowering shoots have 2-12 white flowers. The fruit capsule is 3-4 mm long.
Edible Uses
The bulbs are eaten, especially by children, and can also be harvested from the roots.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows between 2,000-3,000 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda,
Other Information
The bulbs are eaten especially by children.
Notes
There are about 80-200 Ornithogalum species. Also put in the family Liliaceae and Hyacinthaceae.
Synonyms
Nicipe gracillima (R. E. Fr.) Mart.-Azonin et al
References (6)
- Glover, et al, 1966b,
- Grivetti, L. E., 1980, Agricultural development: present and potential role of edible wild plants. Part 2: Sub-Saharan Africa, Report to the Department of State Agency for International Development. p 46
- Heywood, V.H., Brummitt, R.K., Culham, A., and Seberg, O., 2007, Flowering Plant Families of the World. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. p 372 (Family)
- Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 92
- Mutie, F. M., et al, 2023, Important Medicinal and Food Taxa (Orders and Families) in Kenya, Based on Three Quantitative Approaches. Plants 2023, 12, 1145
Show all 6 references Hide references
- Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 30
