Ullucus tuberosus Olluco (Basellaceae)

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Ullucus tuberosus
Olluco
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The Ullucus tuberosus plant species is found in S. America - Peru, Bolivia. It is a member of the Basellaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Olluco.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Ullucus tuberosus
Common Name:  Olluco
Family:  Basellaceae
Author:  Lozano

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  0.3   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Not known

Edible Uses: Tuber - cooked[61, 196]. Starchy and mucilaginous[1, 2, 22, 27, 34]. The tubers can be up to 8cm long[K]. Ulluco is a staple food in South America, being used in most of the ways that potatoes are used, indeed when boiled and fried they taste very much like potatoes[183]. In the Andes a popular dish called 'chuño' is made by alternately freezing and drying the tubers[183]. The tubers contain about 14% carbohydrate, 1 - 2% protein, almost no fat or fibre[196]. They are fairly rich in vitamin C, about 23mg per 100g fresh weight[196]. The tubers store well and will last up to 12 months in cool conditions[196]. Leaves - raw or cooked[22, 183, 196]. Mucilaginous and not that exciting[K]. They contain about 12% protein dry weight[196].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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