Fragrant telosma (Telosma cordata)
Common Names
Fragrant telosma, Tonkin creeper, Pakalana vine (En); parfum nocturne (Fr); fragancia nocturna (Sp); hoa thiên lý (Vn); 夜香花, 香花菜 (Cn)
Plant Distribution
Southeast, East and South Asia, Europe, North and South America
Edible Parts
Flower buds are consumed stir-fried or boiled.
Health values
Beta-carotene: low in flower buds; vitamin E: medium; folic acid: medium; ascorbic acid: high; calcium: low; iron: low; protein: 3.1%. Geraniol, beta-ionone, dihydrobeta-ionone, dihydro-beta-ionol, and cis- and trans-theaspirane are the ingredients for the characteristic scent of the flower. They are used in cooking and medicinally to treat conjunctivitis (pinkeye).
Read more: Fragrant telosma, in Discovering Indigenous Treasures: Promising Indigenous Vegetables from Around the World. 2009. AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center