Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae | Edibility: Choice Edible (5/5)

Lepidium meyenii is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). It is not frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Sweet and pleasantly flavoured. — Sweet and pleasantly flavoured.; They can be slowly baked.; After being dried they are cooked in water to make a sweet aromatic porridge that is called 'mazamorra' in S.; The nutritional value of dried Maca root is high, resembling cereal grains such as maize, rice and wheat.

Habitat & North American Range

Barren steppes, tundra and alpine plains, usually in limestone and clay soils, 3800 - 4800 metres. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)