Ideas for community gardens < roots

Oca produces clusters of small, red tubers.

OCA

Also known as: New Zealand yam; cuiba (Venezeula); iribia (Columbia)

Botanic name

• Oxalis tuberosa

Family

• Oxalidaceae

Growth form

• low-growing annual bush
• forms clusters of red tubers to 10cm long

Edible part

• tubers eaten after cooking

Cultivation

• as for potato
• fertile soil, regular watering

• from tuber

Centre of diversity

• Andeas region of South Ameica
• staple crop of Lake Titicaca region of Bolivia
• introduced into New Zealand from Chile in 1869 where it is now known as 'New Zealand yam'

PAGE UPDATED... Wednesday, 16 January 2002