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Ullucus tuberosus

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Photo from Cultivariable.com.


Partly exposed tubers from Naturalmedicinefacts.info.


Drawing from Curtis Botanical Magazine
.

Author: Francisco José de Caldas, 1809
Family:  BASELLACEAE
Origin:  Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador
Soil:  Sandy - Mix
Water:  Medium - Maximum
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  7-10 Centimetres
Height:  30 Centimetres
Flower:  Yellow
Propagate:  Seeds/Bulbs
Names:  Papa Lisa, Olluco, Melloco
Synonyms:  Basella tuberosa Kunth, 1817.
Melloca peruviana
Moq, 1849.
Melloca tuberosa. Ullucus kunthii
Moq, 1849.
Ullucus aborigineus,
Brücher.
Ullucus kunthii,
Moq.
Ullucus tuberosus
subsp. aborigineus, Sperling.
Ullucus tuberosus f. albiflorus,
Kuntze.
Ullucus tuberosus f. rubriflorus,
Kuntze.

This member of the Basellaceae family was described by Francisco José de Caldas in 1809. It is found in Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador and Argentina, grown as a crop in sandy or even rich soil with some to lots of water and some sun. Although it is grown as a annual crop, the plant can actually grow for several years. It will raise to 30 centimetres, and the tubers grow up to ten centimetres in diameter, and vary in colour and shape, depending on soil and subspecies.

The genera name from the locals name; olluco or ulluco. The species name for the swollen root.

 I am not sure how well the tubers will do, if they are raised.


The flowers from Zoom50.wordpress.com.


Different sorts by Lotus-Salvinia.de.