Latok facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Latok |
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| Kapas-kapas flowers | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Telosma
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| Species: |
procumbens
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| Synonyms | |
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Telosma procumbens is a type of flowering plant. It is known by many local names like latok, kapas-kapas, dukep, and sabidukong. This plant grows naturally in the Philippines, and also in parts of southeastern China and Vietnam.
This plant is a woody vine, which means it's a plant that climbs or trails. It has long, heart-shaped leaves. Its flowers grow in clusters and are yellowish-green. Each flower has five petals that look a bit twisted and are arranged like a star.
After the flowers, the plant grows fruits that are shaped like a spearhead. These fruits have four thin ridges, or "wings," along their length. Inside the fruit, there are many seeds stacked up in a column. Each seed has a long, white, feathery tail. This tail helps the seeds fly away in the wind, spreading the plant to new places.
What it's Used For
In Filipino cuisine, people eat the flowers and the young fruit rinds of Telosma procumbens. They taste and feel similar to other common vegetables like winged beans or string beans. It's a tasty addition to many dishes!
