Description

Edible Chlorophytum is a species of flowering plant in the Asparagaceae family. It is one of several species known by the common name musli. It is native to parts of Africa and India. It has historical uses in Ayurveda. Edible Chlorophytum  is one of several species of Chlorophytum used in Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional Hindu system of medicine. Safed musli, as it is known in Hindi, is a herb commonly found in forest patches in India, and is used in a tonic intended to give strength and vigour. The spider plant (C. comosum), of which the variegated form is a popular houseplant, is a member of the same genus and is native to Africa, where the genus Chlorophytum is most diverse'

Characteristics:

Edible Chlorophytum is a herb found throughout the warmer regions of the world. The plant is about 20 cm tall, seen in gregarious clumps. Leaves are strap shaped, 6-12, all arising from the base, 15-30 cm long. The plant blooms with the first showers of monsoon. Flowers are white, 2.5 cm across, with 6 elliptic petals. The center of the flower as 6 erect stamens with yellow anthers. The fruits are three-edged capsules containing seeds 2 mm in diameter. Edible Chlorophytum is also a famine food - bulbs and leaves eaten. Bulbs and leaves dried and pounded into flour for bread. Flowering: June-July.

Medicinal Uses:

The leaves and roots are edible. In India the roots are dried and used as a popular tonic and aphrodisiac in Ayurvedic medicine. In northern Nigeria its tubers are crushed to produce a lotion used to treat guinea-worm.