Boerhavia tuberosa
Lam.
Nyctaginaceae Edible: Roots, Tuber
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Description
Boerhavia tuberosa is a scrambling tropical herb or shrub growing up to 2 m long, found in open woodlands and arid lowlands from sea level to 1,000 m elevation throughout the tropics and subtropics.
Edible Uses
The roots and tubers are eaten as a vegetable.
Traditional Uses
The roots are eaten as a vegetable.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in open woodlands. It occurs from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. It grows in arid lowlands.
Where It Grows
Bolivia, Ecuador, Galapagos, Peru, South America*,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed.
Notes
There are about 40 Boerhavia species. They are mostly in the tropics and subtropics.
Synonyms
Commicarpus tuberosus (Lam.) Standl.
References (5)
- Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 60
- Fern, K., 2012, Tropical Species Database http://theferns.info/tropical/
- 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 256 (As Commicarpus tuberosus)
- Smith, N., Mori, S.A., et al, 2004, Flowering Plants of the Neotropics. Princeton. p 261
- Torre, de la, L., et al, 2008, Enciclopedia de las Plantas Útiles del Ecuador. Herbario QCA. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. p 471 (As Commicarpus tuberosus)
