Bomarea edulis
a perennial woody member of the Bomarea genus in the family Alstroemeriaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Alstroemeriaceae
- Genus
- Bomarea
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 3 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Tuber - cooked[1][7][9][10][3]. When boiled the roots make a light and delicate food[5]. Rich in starch, a cream made from this farinaceous matter is wholesome and very agreeable to the taste[5].
- Plant part
- Root
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber
Environment
- Range
- C. and S. America - Mexico to Peru.
- Habitat
- Found in mountains, in oak woodlands to tropical woodlands.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse, it will germinate in a few weeks[1]. Stratify stored seed for 3 weeks at 20°c, then 3 weeks at 5°c[2]. It usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°c[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring, with care since the roots are brittle. Each portion must have some roots and a growth bud[1]. Pot up the divisions, grow them on in the greenhouse until they are well established and then plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer or late spring of the following year.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a warm sunny position and a well-drained slightly acid soil[1][6]. Succeeds in any good soil in sun or partial shade[4]. One report says that plants are possibly hardy in the milder areas of Britain[1]. However a plant has been growing in an outdoor bed at Kew in light woodland for at least 4 years (1992) where it has flowered and produced seed in most years[K]. Another report says that it is hardy to about -10°c[4]. Plants prefer a minimum night temperature of 10°c[2]. Keep the plants almost dry in winter[2] and apply a good thick organic mulch to the roots[6]. The mulch should be removed as growth commences in the spring because the young shoots are very susceptible to slug damage[K]. The edible roots are sold in local markets in S. America[5]. The tubers should be planted about 15cm deep n the soil[8]. This genus is closely related to Alstroemeria species[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202