Arracacia xanthorrhiza Arracacha PFAF Plant Database

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Arracacia xanthorrhiza - Bancr.

Common Name

Arracacha

Family

Apiaceae or Umbelliferae

Synonyms

A. esculenta. Conium arracacia.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Cool mountainous districts at elevations of 2000 - 3500 metres[2].

Range

Northern S. America

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Arracacia xanthorrhiza is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
It is hardy to zone 9 and is frost tender. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.The plant is self-fertile.

Suitable for: medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fibonacci

Habitats
Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves; Root; Stem.
Edible Uses: Condiment.

Tuber - cooked[22, 46, 61, 97, 171]. Very palatable and easily digested[1, 196], it is used as a staple food in some parts of S. America[2]. The root contains 10 - 25% starch, it is high in calcium and vitamin A[196]. It is used as a potato substitute, its flavour is between that of parsnips and sweet chestnuts with a hint of sweetness[2, 183]. The sweetness increases in storage[196]. The root is also used as the source of starch used in other foods[183]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and have a relatively short storage life[196]. Leaves. Used as a flavouring[177]. Young stems - raw or cooked as a vegetable[183, 196]. The stems are sometimes blanched and used like celery in salads[196].

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. None known

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details

Prefers a good loam. Grows best in a sandy loam with a pH in the range of 5 to 6, in areas with about 1000mm of rain a year, requiring a minimum rainfall of about 600mm[196]. Tolerates a pH in the range 6.3 to 6.8. This species is not very hardy in Britain but it can be grown here as a half-hardy perennial, the roots being harvested in the autumn, stored overwinter in a cool frost-free place and planted out in the spring[1]. This species is often cultivated for its edible root in S. America, where there are many named varieties[2, 46, 61, 177]. Attempts in the 19th century to cultivate it as a commercial crop in Europe, however, were unsuccessful[2]. Plants take about 120 - 240 days from planting to produce a crop and 300 - 400 days to produce a crop of mature tubers[196]. At harvest time there can be as many as 10 tubers each the size of a carrot formed around the central root196]. One plant can yield 2 - 3 kg of edible roots, total yields of 40 tonnes per hectare are possible[196]. Preventing the plant from flowering can increase yields[196]. Plants might be sensitive to daylength, possibly requiring short days to initiate tuber production, and so may not be suitable for temperate climates. They also have a longer growing season than potatoes and are frost-tender so need a relatively long growing season[196]. Plants do not always produce viable seed in S. America[196].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination is often poor, less than 50%[196]. Since this species is believed to be a hybrid it will probably not breed true from seed. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for the first year in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Division. Harvest the roots in the autumn, store overwinter and plant out in the spring. The plant forms a clump of tubers around a central root, each tuber can be used to grow a new plant. Traditionally the base of the tuber is repeatedly slashed to stimulate shoots to form and encourage a uniform arrangement of lateral roots. They are then left for a few days to heal before planting them out[196].

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Expert comment

Author
Bancr.

Botanical References
1

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[2]Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.

Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.

[22]Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

Not very comprehensive, it seems more or less like a copy of earlier writings with little added.

[46]Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants.

An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[61]Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.

Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[97]Towle. M. A. The Ethno-Botany of Pre-Columbian Peru.

A very interesting book covering quite a lot of information on plant uses in S. America although many of the plants are not suitable for temperate areas..

[171]Hill. A. F. Economic Botany.

Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some a bit of detail about the plants it does cover.

[177]Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption.

An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.

Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[196]Popenoe. H. et al Lost Crops of the Incas

An excellent book. Very readable, with lots of information and good pictures of some lesser known food plants of S. America.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
	Tue May 29 2007

Seeds are not used for commercial production. The sprouts in the top of the roots must be used. The roots do not produce a new plant, as carrots also do not. I am a researcher of arracacha at Brazil. mariajbsgsmm@yahoo.com.br

Elizabeth H.
Frances Oliveira	Wed Oct 31 2007

I would like to be able to purchase mandioquinha (arracacia xanthorrhiza) at retail portions. Is there a grower or market that you know in the U.S. that I could order from? I live in the outskirts of Washington D.C. Also, whom could I order seeds from, in case I decide to grow this root. Thank you.

Elizabeth H.
	Mon Nov 19 2007

I'm also looking for that. Tomorrow I'll take a look at the horticultural library here in SF, but a potential source for it seems to be Peace Seeds at Corvalis, OR. They don't have a website, though, so we'd have to mail/call to ask for a catalogue: 2385 SE Thompson St, Corvallis, Oregon 97333-1919 Phone: (541) 752-0421 Saudacoes brazucas, Erica.

Elizabeth H.
Roberto Guerato	Tue Dec 4 2007

Hello, Where can I get arracacia xanthorrhiza seeds in the US?. Thanks for your help.

Elizabeth H.
Maria José Granate	Mon Feb 25 2008

From Maria, Arracacia researcher in Brazil: The most recent news about Arracacia in US are that it can't be commercialy grown in that country and there is a group trying to import it from Brazil. But there are a lot of difficulties... My new e-mail is dasilvamarques.maria@gmail.com

Elizabeth H.
Maria José Granate	Tue Feb 26 2008

http://www.bioversityinternational.org/publications/Pdf/472.pdf Above is the link for the best e-book on Arracacia. Please read on page 108 and following how to do plant propagation. Propagules must be correctly prepared and cut to obtain tuberous roots. If they are not correctly cut the plant will produce roots but not commercial tuberous roots. Regards, Maria

Bioversity The best on Andean plants!

Elizabeth H.
Angela	Sun Mar 23 2008

My questions are exactly the same as Frances', above (including the part about living in the DC area)--has anyone found answers? It's hard to believe countries outside South America have not yet experienced "the tastiest vegetable in the world"! :-) Thanks / Obrigada!

Elizabeth H.
Marcia	Thu Apr 23 2009

The last comment is dated Mar 23/2008. I live in Florida, and mandioquinha/arracacia is that Brazilian taste I miss the most. If anyone know where to find it, please let me know. What about jaboticaba? No, I don't know any other name for it. Thanks Marcia

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