mauka
Mirabilis expansa (Ruiz & Pav.) Standl.
Mirabilis expansa, known as mauka, is a species in the Nyctaginaceae family. It is cultivated in the Andes as a root vegetable, thriving at altitudes between 2,200 m and 3,500 m. The plant's above-ground portion dies with frost, but its root is hardy. The roots can grow as large as a man's forearm and, with two years of maturation, can yield up to 50,000 kg/ha.
Description
Mirabilis expansa is a flowering plant native to Bolivia, central and northern Chile, and Peru. It is grown in cold, windy high-altitude regions of the Andes. The plant is valued for its edible root, which is resilient to frost. With proper cultivation, the roots can attain significant size and high productivity. The species was described in 1931 by Standl., based on earlier work by Ruiz & Pav.
Other common names
mauka
Distribution
Bolivia · Chile Central · Chile North · Peru
Synonyms
Oxybaphus expansus
