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Polymnia sonchifolia

AuthorityPoeppig & Endlicher
FamilyMagnoliopsida:Asteridae:Asterales:Compositae
SynonymsPolymnia edulis, Smallanthus sonchifolia
Common namesarboloco, jiquima, leafcup, poir de terre Cochet, yacon, yacon strawberry, yacuma
Editor
Ecocrop code8852



Notes
BRIEF DESCRIPTION A handsome, compact, herbaceous plant with dark-green celerylike leaves reaching up to 1.5-2 m in height. The tubers are irregularly spindle-shaped to round and usually weighs 200-500 g, but can reach 2 kg. They are purple on the outside and orange-coloured inside. USES The sweet roots are usually eaten raw after they have been exposed to the sun for several days. They are often chopped and added to salads. They can also be served boiled or baked. The roots and foilage is also used as feed for cattle and pigs. It is mention as a possible agroforestry species. GROWING PERIOD Perennial herb grown as an annual. COMMON NAMES Yacon, Leafcup, Yacon strawberry, Jiquima, Yacuma, Poir de terre Cochet, Erdbirne, Polimnia, Llakuma, Aricoma, Aricona, Jacon, Llacon, Llamon, Arboloco, Puhe, Jicama, Jikima, Jiquima, Jikima, Jiquimilla. FURTHER INF Scientific synonyms: P. edulis, Smallanthus sonchifolia. Yacon is native of Colombia, Ecuador and probably also Peru. It is grown at sea level in Peru, New Zealand and the United States and in the Andean Mountains it can be found at elevations up to 3300 m. It require humidity in the first stages, but later it can tolerate periods of drought.
Sources
SOURCES (P. sonchifolia Poeppig & Endlicher)
Veitmeyer N 1989 pp 115-123 [PHO, RAIN, KTMP, TEMP, TEXT, FER, DRA]
Bermejo J 1994 pp 176-178 [PHO, TEMP, TEXT, DEP, FER, DRA]