This is only a partial list of the plants and seeds we have available. Send $2 ($4 international) for our complete illustrated catalog.
Jewels of the Earth
In addition to potatoes, there is a shocking rainbow diversity of brightly colored tubers cultivated in the Andes where they have been a staple of rural communities for millennia. Largely ignored by the rest of the world, these “jewels of the earth” deserve to be widely grown. An alarming loss of heirloom cultivars has been observed in recent decades as land is given over to modern crops, such as carrots, that are associated with affluent culture. This makes preservation through integrating these enchanting and delicious tubers into our gardens all the more timely. Studies have shown all of these crops to be nutritious and high in antioxidants. Cultivation of some of these is still experimental, so let us know how they grow for you. We have live plants available April/May to November, bare root tubers available December through March/April, USA only.
Inquire for additional cultivars. Tubers are available USA only.
During December through the end of March every 3 tubers ordered count as 1 plant for shipping costs, we begin replanting the tubers in April, so check that month for bare tuber availability. Regular plant shipping costs apply the rest of the year.
Canna edulis “Achira”
Cannaceae. Ginger-like perennial monocot to 6′. Large attractive foliage, green, sometimes with bronze highlights. Bright red lily-like flowers. Edible rhizomes. A cultivar throughout the mid-Andes. One of the “lost” crops of the Incas. The rhizomes are extremely rich in a large molecule starch and have been eaten since antiquity. Young shoots and immature seeds are also edible raw or cooked. Tolerant of diverse conditions, prefers moist soil. Often planted as a wind break. Knick and soak seed. Z8b if mulched.
The main strain we offer has bronze and purple streaked leaves, dark reddish-brown seed pods and deep red flowers. True from seed.
10 seed $4
Plant 1–2 years old $9.50
Canna edulis ‘Verde’ ”Achira”
This strain has deep green leaves, slender red flowers flecked with orange and lime-green seed pods. True from seed. Z8b if mulched.
10 seed $4
Seedling 1+ year old $10.50
Inquire for other strains
Lepidium peruvianum ‘Yellow’ ”Maca”
Brassicaceae or Cruciferae. A radish or turnip like plant that is the highest altitude cultivar in the world, grown in the Andes at elevations over 14,000 feet. An ancient food/medicine that has been farmed for nearly 6,000 years. Incredibly nutritious, considered an energizing aphrodisiac and immunostimulant. Thrives in very harsh conditions, poor, cold soils with minimal water. Little work has been done growing this plant outside the Andes. Let us know how it grows for you. Seed from a yellow root form that shows tolerance for low elevation cultivation. Z5b
Seed packet $4
Lepidium peruvianum ‘Red’ ”Maca”
This is the esteemed cultivar with red roots. Highly nutritious and rich in immune boosting, energizing compounds. This selection with red roots is reported to have a higher antioxidant value and research suggests it has great merit for prostate health. Maca is fairly adaptable to low elevation culture. Z5
Seed packet $4.50
Neowerdermannia vorwerkii JL1635 ”Achacana”
Cactaceae. Spherical cactus to about 4″ diameter with dark green triangular tubercles. Curved spines, lilac-pink flowers and reddish fruit. Distributed from the altiplano of Bolivia to northern Argentina, from 10,000–13,000′+. The whole cactus is considered a kind of potato, it is gathered by the tens of thousands each summer, skinned, cooked and eaten. It is said to be very tasty and is a significant source of vitamin K, calcium and zinc. The pulp is also a remedy for stomach ailments and made into a drink for kidney and liver disease. There is some concern that harvesting may endanger the plant, but it has yet to be clarified how wild populations are impacted. Well worth cultivating as an unusual food plant. Needs strong light and gritty soil. Z7a or below.
Seed packet $4
Oxalis tuberosa “Oca”
Oxalidaceae. Round to cylindrical tubers 1–6″ long. With hundreds of known cultivars in an alluring spectrum of colors from yellows to oranges, pinks and reds. Sprawling succulent stems to about 1′ tall with trifoliate clover-like leaves, yellow flowers. One of the easier Andean tubers to grow and second only to the potato in popularity. Cultivated for thousands of years, the tubers have a variety of flavors from crisp and lemony fresh to buttery and sweet when cooked. Still unknown as a food outside of South America with the exception of Mexico where it has been grown for over 200 years and New Zealand where it has been farmed recently. Grow similar to potatoes, the larger tubers develop late in the season after Autumnal Equinox with cool weather and shortened daylength. Traditionally the tubers are exposed to sun and cold for several days after harvest to increase sweetness. Light exposure also enriches the vivid colors. Oca also make captivating ornamental plants. If well mulched the tubers are hardy below Z7a.
These 4 Oca varieties are $12.50 each for tuber starts or plants,
or $42 for 4 varieties
Oxalis tuberosa BK08516.7
Pale yellow flattened cylindrical tubers with slender pink/red eyes. Excellent creamy flavor. Cusco region, Peru.
Oxalis tuberosa BK08516.8
Fat, round cylindrical tubers, yellowish with a pinkish blush, after exposure to light they turn a deeper pink/maroon. Fantastic non-acidic flavor. Cusco region, Peru.
Oxalis tuberosa Bauml ‘Golden’
Rounded cylindrical tubers, a deep golden-yellow with slender red eyes. A superb buttery flavor, almost like some winter squash. A La Paz, Bolivia collection from ethnobotanist Jim Buaml.
Oxalis tuberosa Bauml ‘Crema de Rosa’
Rounded to cylindrical knobbly tubers, cream colored with a pink-red blush. Non-acidic and tasty. La Paz, Bolivia.
These 6 Oca varieties are $8.50 each for tuber starts or plants,
or $15 for 2 varieties
Oxalis tuberosa OAEC ‘Pink’
Pink-red tubers. Crisp lemony flavor. A productive varietal, widely distributed by the Occidental Arts & Ecology center. We’ve grown this one successfully for years.
Oca Kapular Selections
The following are choice Oca selections from conservationist / organic plant breeder Alan Kapular and his family.
Oxalis tuberosa ‘Amarillo’
These are a pure deep yellow, no contrasting color to the eyes. Lumpy, rounded tubers blush orange with light exposure.
Oxalis tuberosa ‘Grande’
Medium size orange to salmon-red cylindrical tubers, high yielding for us. A delightful acidic taste fresh, but cooks up mild.
Oxalis tuberosa ‘Hopin’
Unusual, round white tubers blushed with pale pink to darker red. Nice crisp flavor.
Oxalis tuberosa ‘Mexican Red’
Dark blood red flattened cylindrical tubers. These are the deepest, purest red of any we offer. The name would suggest that this is one of the cultivars that has been grown in the mountains of Mexico for a couple centuries.
Oxalis tuberosa ‘Rebo’
The red Bolivian selection, deep red rounded cylindrical tubers with contrasting large yellow eyes.
Complete Oca Collection $70* includes all 10 varietals we offer,
over $100 value! * add $12 shipping
Smallanthus sonchifolius ‘Sweet Crisp’ (=Polymnia sonchifolia) “Yacon”
Asteraceae. Clusters of knobby propagative tubers and large yam-like storage tubers. Fuzzy annual leaves and stems to 4′+ topped with yellow daisy-like flowers. A multi-use plant traditionally grown throughout the Andes, it has been introduced to Central America and is popular in New Zealand. The large storage tubers have a delicious juicy sweet taste, somewhat like a cross between jicama and watermelon. In the Andes it is thought of more as a fruit than a vegetable. The young vegetative growth is cooked similar to celery. The tubers are rich in fructooligosaccharides and are considered a prebiotic; that is, they feed the healthy bacteria in the gut which improves overall health. The leaves are used as a tea for diabetes. A molasses like syrup made from the roots is becoming popular as a beneficial sweetener. Easy to grow, prefers sun and a rich soil. This cultivar has proven itself very productive of sweet tubers even in tropical conditions such as Hawaii. Hardy to Z7b or 8a if well mulched.
Propagative tubers or plant $9.50
Tropaeolum tuberosum v. lineamaculatum ‘Ken Aslet’ “Mashua” “Añu”
Tropaeolaceae. Cream colored grub-like tubers with purple speckles, to 6″ long. Annual climbing stems to 8′, rounded lobed leaves. Tubular bright-orange flowers. A close relative to the garden nasturtium. Easy to grow, highly ornamental, pest resistant and repellent. The tubers are cooked like potatoes and can have a slight peppery flavor. Shown to reduce testosterone with regular consumption. This is a rare but widespread horticultural selection that is productive in a variety of situations and daylengths. Z7a when mulched.
Tubers or plant $9.50
Ullucus tuberosus ”Papa Lisa” “Ulluco” “Melloco”
Basellaceae. Hundreds of cultivars with 1–4″+ round to cylindrical tubers, a delighful array of bright colors. Edible spinach-like rounded leaves on short sprawling stems to 12″. One of the most delectable of all the Andean tuber crops, yet practically unknown in the U.S. Crisp and buttery in flavor. Shown to have antiviral properties. Contains triterpenoid saponins which may help with hypoglycemia. Like oca the tubers only develop late in the season. Tuber production is best in areas with a slow transition from Summer to Autumn. A little fussy, but so far they seem adaptable to northern California. Hardy below Z7a when well mulched. (inquire for additional cultivars)
The following 5 Ulluco varieties are $14.50 each for tuber starts or plants
Ullucus tuberosus Bauml ‘Pica de Pulga’
Small rounded tubers to 2″, a delightful yellow with neon-pink stars. The name means “flea bitten”. Bauml selection, La Paz, Bolivia.
Ullucus tuberosus BK08607.1
1–2″ round “pica de pulga” type; yellow to orange with fluorescent red to pink spots. Chulumani, Yungas, Bolivia.
Ullucus tuberosus BK09510.2
1–3″ round or elongated deep-orange tubers, like gold nuggets. Caraz, Ancash Dept., Peru.
Ullucus tuberosus BK10425.2
3–4″+ grub-like cylindrical yellow tubers with flourescent pink splotches. Traditionally cultivated near Patacancha, Cusco Dept., Peru.
Ullucus tuberosus BK10429.1
Pale to bright yellow round to cylindrical tubers with slender pale pink “eyes”. From G. Quispe, Chinchero, Cusco Dept., Peru.
Ullucus tuberosus ssp. aborigineus ”Ulluco Silvestre” ”Wild Ulluco”
Trailing vine to 2–10′+ with heart-like edible leaves. 1/2–2″+ round or oblong tubers, varying from white to pink or lavender, turning almost purple-brown with light exposure. This is considered the wild form or ancestor of the cultivated ulluco. In our experience the tubers are just as edible as the cultivars and only slightly smaller. The leaves are delicious like spinach. Cultivated ulluco very rarely sets seed and this wild subspecies, which seeds more readily, could be used in breeding programs. It has been speculated that it was used in breeding new varietals by the Incas. Grow as you would other ulluco, but give more room for the vine. A good source for edible greens, the leaves are larger and more abundant than the cultivars. In our initial trials one pea sized tuber produced nearly 4 oz of tubers in a season. First introductions, unknown in cultivation. Z6 to 7
These 4 Wild Ulluco varieties are $13.50 each for tuber starts or plants, or $48 for 4
Ullucus tuberosus ssp. aborigineus BK10426.5
Trailing vine to 24″+. Chunky lavender tubers to 2″+. Growing in Incan stone terrace walls with Peperomia rotundata. Halfway from Pumamarca to Munaypata, Cusco, Peru, 10,500′. This accession was made at one of the most heavily terraced mountainsides we’ve seen in all of the Andes. With over a thousand stone terraces it must have been a site of intensive agriculture.
Ullucus tuberosus ssp. aborigineus BK10426.6
Sprawling vine to 36″+. Odd shaped lavender-pink tubers to 2.5″. Growing amongst dilapidated Incan walls above Munaypata, Cusco Dept., Peru, 10,400′.
Ullucus tuberosus spp. aborgineus BK10427.5
Vine to 24″+, small pale pink tubers. Growing amongst boulders with Bomarea and Fuchsia apetala, above Patacancha village, Cusco Dept., Peru, 13,000′. Should be extra hardy.
Ullucus tuberosus spp. aborigineus BK10509.6
Long dangling vines to 20′+ hanging on rocky cliffs next to waterfall, Inkallajta, Cochabamba, Bolivia, 10,000′. Pale to dark lavender tubers, round to oblong. These were the longest vines we’ve seen from the wild ulluco. Reported to be utilized in the region for gastrointestinal problems. This varietal may be more adaptable to warmer conditions than the others.
Cultivation of Andean Tubers
General information for all: Plant tubers 2-6″ deep. They all are tolerant of a wide range of soils, but definitely grow best in a relatively rich, well drained soil. We use 25% pumice stone, 10-15% sand and the rest compost/garden loam. Gophers are particularly fond of all these plants, so we grow these in half wine barrels or raised beds with wire mesh on the bottom. In the colder climates, several inches of mulch will help assure tuber survival through heavy frosts. In climates below Z7, the tubers can be overwintered in moist coir or sand in a cool place, then replanted at the start of the growing season. Though tolerant of a little shade, all do best in a sunny location.
Canna: This is the least cold hardy them all, but can still tolerate Z8a or even 7b if very well mulched. Achira is also much more tolerant of extreme heat and wet or even soggy soil. The rhizomes are best harvested after the tops of the plant have died back from frost or a dry period. Make sure to replant a few of the nippled growing tips of the rhizome for continued harvests.
Oxalis: One of the most adaptable of the tuber crops. Some varietals seem more tolerant of high Summer temperatures than others. Since tuber production does not begin until after the Autumn Equinox when the daylength shortens and the days cool, the largest tubers are produced if you can keep the tops protected from hard frost (they are tolerant of light frost) and growing as long as possible (this goes for Tropaeolum and Ullucus as well.) If you do not live in an area with a long mild Autumn season, you have a couple options. One method is to stake some hoops over the plants with frost protectant fabric or even greenhouse plastic. One other trick is to cover them with shade cloth a few weeks prior to the Equinox to simulate shortened daylight and encourage early tuber forming. We are finding that well before the shortened daylength it is good to mound extra soil around the stems, as you would potoatoes, to encourage additional tuber formation. The tubers can be harvested after the tops of the plant finally die back. In general, the more cold the tubers are exposed to the sweeter they become, so a late harvest is usually preferable. Traditionally the tubers are exposed to sun and cold for several days after harvest to break down any oxalic acids and increase sweetness. Exposure to light also enriches the vivid colors. Tubers can be left in the ground for next years plants, or stored tubers can be replanted in the Spring. Like potatoes, the tubers can be cut into pieces for propagation.
Smallanthus: One of the most adaptable to warmer climates, some clones have even proven themselves in the tropics. It’s important to differentiate what’s the propagative tuber and what’s the edible storage tubers. The propagative tuber (what you’d receive from us) is knobby, eventually clustering, often cream colored, brown, or even purple when exposed to light. It looks very much like its close relative the sunchoke (jerusalem artichoke). The edible storage tubers grow off the other tubers and are long (to 10″+), smooth, usually brown or white, and shaped like yams. New plants cannot be propagated from these. The propagative tuber clusters can eventually grow quite large (we’ve had them basketball size), and these can be broken up to further propagate the plant. Some clones are very sweet harvested any time of the year, while others are a bit sour until exposed to repeated frosts.
Tropaeolum: Best given something for the vines to climb on. In general, mashua dislikes heat, preferring a long cool and moist season. Most varieties are daylength sensitive for tuber production, after the Autumn Equinox they should be cultured similar to Oxalis (see entry above). The ‘Ken Aslet’ variety has been grown as an ornamental for some time and is not particularly sensitive to daylength for tuber forming. Vegetative growth is tolerant of mild frost, but dies back to the tubers after heavy frost. Flowers are formed late in the season, but can be encouraged earlier by holding back water.
Ullucus: A little more challenging than the others, but well worth any effort. Most varieties resent too much heat. They also seem to be sensitive to being transplanted into overly rich “hot” soil, often rotting. The best treatment is gradually applying small amounts of compost/fertilizer as a mulch throughout the growing season. Even more than oca, they only produce their lovely tubers well after the Autumn Equinox, sending out small stolons that slowly grow into tubers. See the Oxalis entry above for additional growing info. Unlike oca, the bright tuber colors quickly turn green when exposed to light, though unlike true potatoes, they are still safe to eat.
Please send $2 ($4 international) to receive our fully illustrated, highly informative catalog and additional supplements.
Seed deliveries anywhere in the world. Plants-domestic orders only.
Rare Plant & Seed List subscription: 4 issues $5, 8 issues $8
Sacred Succulents, PO Box 781, Sebastopol, CA 95473 USA
Email: sacredsucculents@hushmail.com
To receive our periodic (every 4-6 weeks) emails listing new plants & seeds, specials, news from our gardens, greenhouses & travels sign up at -
http://lists.sonic.net/