Ullucus/Boussingaultia
Mark BROWN (Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:44:19 PST)
Dear all,
I can vouch for the excellent palatability of the leaves.I ate some lately.I have just transplanted the group and yes it definately is very prolific.From one tuberous root countless offshoots.I have put it amongst Rubus phoenicolasius to fight it out.I don't know if it will survive our relatively mild maritime winter here.I also grow Dioscorea japonica which can have beautifully marbled leaves.This is hardy here.My forms have not born up to the seed companies claims unfortunately,only very slight marbling,but it looks ok.
Mark
Message du 02/12/08 05:00
De : "Hannon"
A : "Pacific Bulb Society"
Copie à :
Objet : Re: [pbs] Ullucus
Uli,
The commonly seen plant you describe is Boussingaultia baselloides, a
vigorous vine with an irregular tuberous rootstock. Ullucus tuberosus
is a different plant in the same family Basellaceae and is a root crop
in the Andes (like oca and potato). Also in this family is Basella
itself and a few others. I've never seen Ullucus but it seems like it
would make a good addition to any eclectic collection of geophytes or
root crops. I believe the tubers can grow large and the foliage is
also attractive. Time for a new introduction!
Dylan Hannon
Dylan Hannon Rare Bulbs