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Pachyrhizus ahipa

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Photo from Cultivariable.com.


The caudex by E. O. Leidi, Researchgate.net.


The flowers from Honesteadandgardens.com.

Author: 

Lorenzo Raimundo Parodi, 1935

Family: 

FABACEAE

Origin: 

Argentina, Bolivia, Peru

Soil: 

Sandy - Mix

Water: 

Medium

Sun: 

Maximum

Thickness: 

12 Centimetres

Height: 

15-40 (200) Centimetres

Flower: 

White - Pale Lavender

Propagate: 

Seeds/Cuttings/Roots

Names: 

Andean Yam Bean, Ahipa

Synonyms: 

Dolichos ahipa, Wedd, 1857.
Pachyrhizus ahipa var. violacea, Parodi.

This member of the Fabaceae family was given this name by Lorenzo Raimundo Parodi in 1935. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia and Peru, growing in a well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The caudex can grow to twelve centimetres in diameter, fifteen centimetres long, the entire plant from fifteen to 40 centimetres in height, but might have additional vines, reaching for 200 centimetres. The flowers are white to pale lavender.
It have been grown as a root-crop for 1000s of years.

The genera name from Greek pachys; 'thick' and Greek rhiza; 'root' for the thick tuberous roots. The species name is the old Inca name for their crop.