Mauka, Chago
A tropical plant. In the Andes it grows between 1,000 and 2,500 m altitude. In Peru it grows in semi-humid regions between 2,300 and 3,500 m altitude. Here the average temperature is 13°C with the maximum temperature of 25°C and the minimum temperature of 5°C. It dies back after frost. They need deep soils with plenty of organic material. An annual rainfall of 680 mm is suitable.
Also known as:
Arricon, Yuca, Inca, Cushipe, Chaco, Miso, Taso, Pega pega
Edible Portion
- Leaves, Root, Tubers, Vegetable
Where does Mauka grow?
Found in: Andes, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, South America, Venezuela
Notes: There are about 50-60 Mirabilis species. There are 15 in tropical America. It is 7% protein.
Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.
Growing Mauka, Chago
Cultivation: Shoots from near the base are used for planting. Pieces of stem or suckers can be used. Plants can also be grown from seed. Plants grown from shoots at the base can be harvested after one year. Suckers take longer. Plants are put in holes. They are spaced 1 m apart. Because plants are delicate earthing up around them must be done carefully.
Edible Uses: The tuberous root is eaten. It is eaten like tapioca/manioc. They are sun dried then boiled or fried also used in soups and stews. The leaves are eaten in salads and chilli sauces. It is also converted to a sweet by burying it in a pit where it is layered between layers of barley straw and the sugars become concentrated.
Production: Plants take 7-9 months to produce. They emerge after planting in 4-7 days and start to form tubers 36-45 days from planting. Flowers form about 100 days later. Plants are harvested about 95 days after flowering.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
References
Castillo, R. O., 1995, Plant Genetic Resources in the Andes: Impact, Conservation, and Management. Crop Science 35:355-360
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 161
Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 11:113. 1931
Galluzzi, G. & Noriega, I. L., 2014, Conservation and Use of Genetic Resources of Underutilized Crops in the Americas - A Continental Analysis. Sustainability, 6:980-1017
Hermandez Bermejo, J.E., and Leon, J. (Eds.), 1994, Neglected Crops. 1492 from a different perspective. FAO Plant Production and Protection Series No 26. FAO, Rome. p 20, 172
Kays, S. J., and Dias, J. C. S., 1995, Common Names of Commercially Cultivated Vegetables of the World in 15 languages. Economic Botany, Vol. 49, No. 2, pp. 115-152
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 541
Kiple, K.F. & Ornelas, K.C., (eds), 2000, The Cambridge World History of Food. CUP p 1812
Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 56
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Tapia, M. E., The role of under-utilised plant species with regard to increased food security and improved health of poor poeople, in mountain regions. IIAP-PNUD/Peru
USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/econ.pl (10 April 2000)
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew