____<\/p>\n
Due to a legion of computer problems we’ve not had a chance to update this page in some time. Please email to check stock and current pricing for plants on this page before ordering.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a>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\u00a0tubers available December through March\/April, USA only.<\/p>\n Inquire for additional cultivars<\/em>. Tubers are available USA only.<\/p>\n During late December through April every 3 tubers ordered count as 1 plant for shipping costs, we begin replanting the tubers in late April, so check that month for bare tuber availability. Regular plant shipping costs apply the rest of the year.<\/span><\/p>\n Apiaceae. Perennial celery-like plant with edible leaves. Forms clusters of large cream colored roots that are edible raw or cooked, a delicious flavor somewhere between a potato and carrot. Ancient cultivar grown throughout the mid elevation Andes. Not as common as it once was as “civilized” plants such as carrots take its place. For over a hundred years it has been grown in Puerto Rico as “Apio”, though cultivation is declining there as well. We offer clones from PR genetics. Z8a if well mulched <\/a>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. Dark green leaves and reddish flowers. Fantastic, thick, fast growing, yellow and pink banded rhizomes. We previously listed this as \u2018Esmeralda\u2019s\u2019 from Oregon Exotics Nursery, but have since discovered it is in fact an unnamed, unreleased clone kept alive by our friend Tom Baldwin after OE closed. Seed grown from plants farmed for millennia in Tarija, southern Bolivia. Fast growing rhizomes,\u00a0bright green leaves, red flowers.\u00a0Z8b if mulched. This strain has deep green leaves, slender red flowers flecked with orange and lime-green seed pods. True from seed.\u00a0Z8b if mulched. Canna Collection\u00a0$36, includes all\u00a04 varietals we offer,\u00a0a $45\u00a0value!<\/strong><\/p>\n 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 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 A mix of root colors: yellow, purple, red, etc. Seed from the high altitude maca fields of Junin, Peru, one of the major areas of cultivation for millennia. Various colored roots, reds, purples, blacks, yellows. Cultivated near Apu Illimani, Cordillera Real, La Paz Dept., Bolivia. A mix of various colored roots from plants we have grown here in California. Nyctaginaceae. Herbaceous perennial to 2\u20133′, simple leaves. This clone has slightly pubescent leaves and small white flowers. Branched subterranean stems\/tubers, thick, succulent and edible. White fleshed in this genotype. This is the rarest, least understood of the Andean tubers, known to science since the 1960s. Only known from 3 disparate locations- north of La Paz, Bolivia, near Cajamarca, Peru and the highlands of Pichincha & Cotopaxi, Ecuador. This is most likely the result of the Incan policy of mitma; relocating entire ethnic groups throughout the Andes. Mauka\u2019s tubers are protein rich and high in calcium, phosphorous and potassium. Much still needs to be discovered about the cultural needs of the plant but it seems somewhat tolerant of both wet and dry conditions. Should be cold hardy to at least Z8 and likely Z7 if well mulched. <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n This clone has smooth, leathery leaves with grayish hues in full sun. White flowers. Cream-white edible roots. Came to us from the fine folks at Peace Seeds. Red skinned roots and small pink-red flowers in this genotype. Stems and leaves also take on reddish hues in bright light. These are seed grown plants from crossing 2 \u2018Blanca\u2019 varieties. The plants have white to yellow stems and leaf veins which should reflect root color. 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\u201313,000’+. 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.<\/p>\n Seed packet $4 (limited)<\/p>\n Oxalidaceae. Round to cylindrical tubers 1\u20136″ 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\u00a0Andean 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.<\/p>\n Pale yellow flattened cylindrical tubers with slender pink\/red eyes. Excellent creamy flavor. Cusco region, Peru.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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 Bauml. – Out of stock until summer- ‘Durazno’ will be substituted if the collection is ordered.<\/span><\/p>\n Rounded to cylindrical knobbly\u00a0tubers, cream colored with a pink-red blush. Non-acidic and tasty. La Paz, Bolivia.<\/p>\n Knobby cylindrical tubers. Yellow and orange, turning darker shades of orange with rose highlights after light exposure. Originally introduced by the now defunct Oregon Exotics nursery. We are happy to help keep this lovely strain in cultivation Out of stock until summer- ‘Black’ will be substituted if the collection is ordered.<\/span><\/p>\n Pink-red tubers. Crisp lemony flavor. A productive varietal, widely distributed by the Occidental Arts & Ecology center. We\u2019ve grown this one successfully for years.<\/p>\n The following are choice Oca selections from conservationist \/ organic plant breeder Alan Kapular and his family.<\/p>\n These are a pure\u00a0deep yellow, no contrasting color to the eyes.\u00a0Lumpy, rounded tubers blush orange with light exposure.<\/p>\n Medium size orange to salmon-red cylindrical tubers, high yielding for us. A delightful acidic taste fresh, but cooks up mild.<\/p>\n Unusual, round white tubers blushed with pale pink to darker red. Nice crisp flavor.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The red Bolivian selection, deep red rounded cylindrical tubers with contrastinglarge yellow eyes.<\/p>\n These are our first offerings of seed grown Oca. A very interesting diversity of color\u2013 white, yellows, peach, pink ands reds. The overall tuber form tends to be cylindrical. The tubers you receive will be random in color.\u00a0Z7a Large cylindrical tubers with black eyes, dark red to nearly black skin and occasionally pale yellow splotches. Very productive. A great selection from F.V. Keirsbilck. Z7 if mulched Pale yellow, slender cylindrical tubers that have a tendency to branch. Good flavor. Z7a if mulched Flesh colored round cylindrical tubers that blush magenta \/red. An Oregon Exotics intro, we believe this is what they distributed as \u2018Blush\u2019. Z7a Rounded, yellow to pale orange tubers with reddish eyes and pink\/red-orange highlights, like a peach. Originally from\u00a0 Oregon Exotics, the original name is lost. Very pale yellow cylindrical tubers with red eyes. Smooth sweet flavor. Another Oregon Exotics introduction. Z7a Lumpy, rounded tubers, pure bone white to very pale yellow with light exposure. Mild sweet flavor. Z7a Fabaceae. Semi-erect stems 1\u20132′ high with pubescent trifoliate leaves. Violet to white flowers and 3\u20134″ bean pods. Swollen edible root, elongated to spherical, weighing up to 1 kilo. Another ancient domesticate, unknown in the wild. Cultivated in the Yungas, Ceja de Selva and warm interAndean valleys of Bolivia , Peru and northern Argentina, between 5\u201310,000′. Our seed is from Tarija, southern Bolivia. This is the Andean jicama, with sweet crunchy flesh similar to the Mexican jicama (Pachyrrhizus erosus<\/em>) many people are familiar with. Hardier, faster growing and more adaptable than Mexican jicama, this is a species that should do well in many gardens. Pest free, nitrogen fixing and daylength neutral. The root is rich in quality starch, minerals and protein. The foliage, pods and seeds contain the pesticide rotenone, moderately toxic to humans. Some plants show low rotenone content in the oil rich seeds, it is conceivable that an edible seed strain could be developed free of the toxin. About 4-6 months to harvest from seed, pinching the flowers back is said to increase root size. Prefers well draining soil and warmth. Sprout like beans. Cultivation of the plant is nearly extinct in Peru and Argentina and has been waning in Bolivia, integrating it into our gardens is an essential strategy for the conservation of this valuable ancient root crop. Z10a? 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. An Oregon Exotics intro. This may be \u2018Pearl of Bolivia\u2019 but we are not sure. Very highly productive fast growing tubers with brown skin and pearly white flesh with\u00a0an excellent sweet flavor. Z7b\/8a This may be the variety originally introduced by Oregon Exotics as “Purple Puma”. Annual stems show some purple streaking. The orange-yellow flowers are a little larger than other varieties. The propagative tubers are a bright violet-purple, the fat juicy storage tubers\u00a0have a\u00a0purple to brown-purple skin and white\u00a0flesh that sometimes infuses violet with light exposure. Surely rich in anthocyanins. Delicious sweet flavor. We now have a good stock on hand! Hardy to Z7b or 8a if well mulched. A clone selected for commercial\u00a0cultivation in New Zealand. A bit more compact plant than other varieties. The tubers also tend to cluster closer together. The vegetative tubers are white to pale brown with pink banding. The edible storage tubers have a beige skin and white-yellow to very pale orange flesh. Hardy to Z7b or 8a if well mulched.Jewels of the\u00a0Earth<\/h3>\n
Arracacia xanthorrhiza<\/em> ‘PR’ \u00a0\u00a0 “Arracacha” “Apio”<\/a><\/h3>\n
\ninquire<\/em><\/p>\nCanna edulis <\/em>‘Rojo’\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>“Achira”<\/h3>\n
\n10 seed $4
\nPlant 2+ years old $9.50<\/p>\nCanna edulis<\/em> ‘Baldwin’s’\u00a0\u00a0 “Achira”\u00a0 <\/a><\/em><\/h3>\n
\nPlant $13.50<\/p>\nCanna edulis<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Tarija\u2019\u00a0 “Achira”<\/h3>\n
\nPlant 2-3 year old $11.50<\/p>\nCanna edulis<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Verde\u2019\u00a0 “Achira”<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n5 seed $3
\nPlant 2+ year old $10.50
\nInquire for other strains<\/em><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
Lepidium peruvianum<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Yellow\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 “Maca”<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nSeed packet $4<\/p>\nLepidium peruvianum<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Red\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 “Maca”<\/h3>\n
\nSeed packet $4.50<\/p>\nLepidium peruvianum<\/em> \u2018Junin\u2019\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 “Maca”<\/h3>\n
\nSeed packet $4.75<\/p>\nLepidium peruvianum<\/em> \u2018La Paz, Bolivia\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 “Maca, Bolivian”<\/h3>\n
\nSeed packet $4.25<\/p>\nLepidium peruvianum<\/em> \u2018Mix\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 “Maca”<\/h3>\n
\nSeed packet $3.75<\/p>\nMirabilis expansa\u00a0<\/em>‘Blanca’ Cl. A\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>“Mauka” “Miso” “Tazo”<\/h3>\n
\nPlant $25 (limit\u00a04 per customer)<\/p>\nMirabilis expansa <\/em>\u2018Blanca\u2019 cl. B\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 “Mauka” “Miso” “Tazo”<\/h3>\n
\nPlant $25 (limit 3 per customer)<\/p>\nMirabilis expansa<\/em><\/i> \u2018Roja\u2019 \u00a0 “Mauka” “Miso” “Tazo”<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nPlant $25 (Limit 3 per customer)<\/p>\nMirabilis expansa <\/i>\u2018Seedling\u2019 \u00a0 <\/b>“Mauka” “Miso” “Tazo”<\/h3>\n
\nPlant 1-2 years old $26 or 2 for $46<\/p>\nNeowerdermannia vorwerkii\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0 “Achacana”<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Oxalis tuberosa<\/em>\u00a0“Oca”<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
These\u00a05 Oca varieties are $12.50 each for tuber starts or plants,
\nor $42 for 4 varieties<\/h3>\nOxalis tuberosa\u00a0<\/em>BK08516.7<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/em><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Oxalis tuberosa\u00a0<\/em>BK08516.8<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Oxalis tuberosa\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>\u2018Bauml, Golden\u2019<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/em><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Oxalis tuberosa\u00a0\u00a0\u2018<\/em>Bauml, Crema de Rosa\u2019<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/em><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Oxalis tuberosa<\/em> ‘ ‘OE, Orange’<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
These\u00a06 Oca varieties are $8.50 each for tuber starts or plants,
\nor $15 for 2 varieties<\/h3>\nOxalis tuberosa\u00a0<\/em>OAEC \u2018Pink\u2019<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/em><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Oca Kapular Selections<\/h3>\n
Oxalis tuberosa\u00a0<\/em>\u2018Amarillo’<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/em><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Oxalis tuberosa\u00a0<\/em>\u2018Sunset’ (=’Grande\u2019)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Oxalis tuberosa<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Hopin\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Oxalis tuberosa<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Mexican Red\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Oxalis tuberosa\u00a0<\/em>\u2018Rebo\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Complete Oca Collection\u00a0$78*<\/strong> includes\u00a0the above\u00a011 varietals we offer,
\nover $112 value!\u00a0 * add $13 shipping<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n
Oxalis tuberosa\u00a0 <\/i>\u2018Seedling\u2019<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nTubers\/Plant 1 year old $12.50 (limited, not included in the complete collection)<\/p>\nOxalis tuberosa <\/i>\u2018Black\u2019\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nTubers\/Plant $12.50 (limited, not included in the complete collection)<\/p>\nOxalis tuberosa<\/em> \u2018Killu\u2019<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/em><\/h3>\n
\nTubers\/plant $10.50 (limited, not included in the complete collection)<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
Oxalis tuberosa<\/em> ‘OE, Blush?’<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
\nTubers\/plant $12.50 (limited, not included in the complete collection)<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Oxalis tuberosa<\/em> \u2018OE, Durazno\u2019<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
\nTubers\/plant $12.50 (limited, not included in the complete collection)<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Oxalis tuberosa<\/em> ‘OE, Yellow’<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
\nTubers\/plant $12.50 (limited, not included in the complete collection)<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Oxalis tuberosa<\/em> ‘Polar Bere’<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/em><\/h3>\n
\nTubers\/plant $9.50 (limited, not included in the complete collection)<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/em><\/h3>\n
Pachyrhizus ahipa<\/em>\u00a0 “Ajipa” “Villu” “Andean Jicama”<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n5 seed $4<\/p>\n<\/a>Smallanthus sonchifolius\u00a0<\/em>\u2018Sweet Crisp\u2019\u00a0(=Polymnia sonchifolia) “Yacon”<\/h3>\n
\nPropagative tubers or plant $9.50<\/p>\nSmallanthus sonchifolius<\/em> ‘OE’<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/em><\/h3>\n
\nPlant\/ Tuber $12.50<\/p>\nSmallanthus sonchifolius <\/i>\u2018Morado\u2019\u00a0<\/b> “Purple Yacon”<\/h3>\n
\nPlant $17.50<\/p>\nSmallanthus sonchifolius <\/i>\u2018NZ\u2019\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>\u00a0“Yacon”<\/h3>\n
\nPlant $12.50 (Limited)<\/p>\n