Andean Root and Tuber Crops (ARTCs)

[joel]

In addition to the seven species of the cultivated potato (Solanum spp.), and sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas), there are other nine species of lesser-known root and tuber crops domesticated in the Andes (ARTCs), which play an important role in nutrition, health and food security for thousands of farmer families in highlands (Table 1)

Table 1. Current and traditional uses of ARTCs.
Crop	Family	Habitat altitude	Edible part	Current uses	Traditional proccessing
Oca	Oxalidaceae	3000-4000	Tuber	Boiled, baked	Kaya
Ulluco	Basellaceae	3000-4000	Tuber	Soups, stews, salads	Lingle/chulqui
Mashua	Tropaeolaceae	3000-4000	Tuber	Boiled, baked	Tayacha
Achira	Cannaceae	1000-3300	Root	Baked, boiled, industrial starch	Flour
Yacon	Asteraceae	2000-2900	Rhizome	Syrup, flour, chips	Sugar, juice
Arracacha	Apiaceae	1300-3300	Root	Boiled, baked, soups, stews, fried, puddings, baby foods	Kawi
Ahipa	Fabaceae	3900-4500	Hypocotyl	Salads
Maca	Brassicaceae	1500-3000	Root	Baked, salad, juice	Liquor, juice
Mauka	Nyctaginaceae	2300-3200	Root	Boiled, stews, soups, fried, puddings

IVÁN MANRIQUE​

Andean Root and Tuber Crops Conservation Curator

[email protected]
Achira (Canna indica)Arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza)Maca (Lepidium meyenii)Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum)Mauka (Mirabilis expansa)Oca (Oxalis tuberosa)PachyrhizusUlluco (Ullucus tuberosus)Yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius)

https://cipotato.org/genebankcip/process/andean-root-and-tuber-crops-artcs/

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[joel]

If you go the the site & click on the type of vegetable, it will show photos of the plant..
I have

Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum)​

The name is derived from the Quechua word maswa or mashwa. The plant is a perennial closely related to the common garden flower nasturtium. Tuber color and shape vary considerably, and contain high levels of isothyocyanates (glucosinolates) which are well known for their insecticidal, nematocidal, and medicinal properties. The tubers of mashua are rich in starch, fiber, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin (purple mashuas), and b-carotene (yellow mashuas). Mashua is traditionally used by women to depress libido when she suspects her husband is cheating.
https://cipotato.org/genebankcip/process/andean-root-and-tuber-crops-artcs/

 

[joel]

This is where I got my roots /tubers from, they were on back order & came in yesterday.
https://www.cultivariable.com/catalog/mashua/mashua-varieties/

 

[Bacpacker]

Nice find Joel

 

[Patchouli]

One of my kids lived in Peru for a couple of years and said we got nothing here in the U.S. compared to the lovely taters they have there.
Flavor, color, I've never had anything too unusual in the tuber and root family. Really interested to hear how well they grow for you, @joel

 

[joel]

Peru farmer has collect over 400 potatoes.