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ulluco

Scientific Name: Ullucus tuberosus

Family: Basellaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Ulluco: A Colorful Andean Tuber

Ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus), also known as Papalisa and by various other names depending on the region, is a fascinating root crop originating from the Andes region of South America.

Considerations for Pets

  • Ulluco produces tubers, which, although edible, can vary in color (pink, purple, yellow, and green).
  • It's a potato-like herbaceous annual crop which produces below ground auxiliary stolons.

Considerations for Children

  • Ulluco produces tubers, which, although edible, can vary in color (pink, purple, yellow, and green) and may appeal to children.
  • It's a potato-like herbaceous annual crop which produces below ground auxiliary stolons.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Ullucus tuberosus
  • Common Names: Ulluco, Papalisa, Melloco, Oca Quina, Rubas (Ecuador), Olloco, Ulluca (Argentina), Papa Lisas, Lisas (Bolivia), Papalisa (Peru)
  • Genus: Ullucus
  • Family: Basellaceae (a family of flowering plants)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • A "wild" or feral subspecies exists: Ullucus tuberosus ssp. aborigineus

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the Andean region of South America.
  • Cultivated from northern Argentina to Venezuela.
  • Grown at elevations between 2,400 and 4,200 meters.

Ecological Role

  • Combination cropping with potato, oca, and mashua is a traditional practice in the Andes.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Ulluco is a compact, potato-like herbaceous annual crop.
  • It produces below-ground auxiliary stolons that enlarge to form starchy tubers.
  • Tubers come in several colors, including pink, purple, yellow, and green.
  • The leaves of the plant are edible.

Quirky Facts

  • In Argentina, some women believe that eating ulluco can facilitate childbirth.
  • The leaves have a surprising spinach-like flavor, while the tubers have a fresh, beet-like taste.

Uses

  • Primarily grown for its edible tubers.
  • Secondarily used as a leaf vegetable.
  • The tubers are not well-suited for baking or frying.

Further Information

  • Referenced in the National Research Council's "Lost Crops of the Incas: Little-Known Plants of the Andes with Promise for Worldwide Cultivation."