trefle.io · Taken Oct 16, 2022 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)
Basellaceae
Ulluco
Ullucus tuberosus
Also known as Ullucus tuberosus subsp. aborigineus, Melloca tuberosa, Ullucus aborigineus, Basella tuberosa
Edibles & Herbs · Native Plants · Ulluco · Andean · Root-Vegetable · Tuber · Cool-Climate · High-Altitude · Edible · Rare · Heirloom · Specialty-Crop
Ulluco is a high-altitude Andean root crop that prefers cool temperatures, partial shade, and consistently moist but well-draining soil — it is not suited to hot or humid lowland climates. Grow from tubers planted in spring in a cool temperate climate or at elevation, and hill up the soil around stems as the plant grows to encourage tuber development. Harvest tubers in autumn after the foliage yellows; store in a cool, dark place.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 5 hours
- Watering
- Keep soil evenly moist throughout the growing season; avoid drought stress but ensure excellent drainage to prevent tuber rot · Every 5-7 days
- Maintenance
- High
- Soil
- loam
- Temperature
- -20°F to 90°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 5a-10b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 18 in
- Spacing
- 12 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Argentina Northwest, Bolivia, Chile North, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
- Attracts
- Bees
Sources: trefle
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