Mashua
Tropaeolum tuberosum
Tropaeolum tuberosum is a species of flowering plant in the family Tropaeolaceae, grown in the Andes, particularly in Peru and Bolivia, and to a lesser extent in Ecuador as well as in some areas of Colombia, for its edible tubers, which are eaten cooked or roasted as a vegetable. It is a minor food source, especially for native Amerindian populations. Mashua is a herbaceous perennial climber growing to 2–4 m (7–13 ft) in height. It is related to garden nasturtiums, and is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental for its brightly coloured tubular flowers. The leaves are peltate, roundly five-lobed with a petiole that twines weakly but is not truly a tendril. The root is tuberous.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
At a glance
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Water need
- Medium
- Mature height
- 2 m
- Maintenance
- Low
- Hardiness
- USDA 7–10
- Layers
- climber, root
Functional roles
Propagation
How to make more of this plant for free — the permaculture way.
When: Plant tubers late spring
Vigorous nasturtium relative with peppery edible tubers; crops late in the season.
Where to get it
Read more
Seed data pending expert review. Identification photo and description are sourced from Wikipedia/Wikimedia; always confirm a plant in person before eating any part of it.