Oca (Oxalis tuberosa)

Family: Oxalidaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (5/5)

Oxalis tuberosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Roots/Tubers, Flowers

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavour when first harvested, if left out in the sun the tubers turn sweet, so sweet in some varieties that they are said to resemble dried figs and are sold as fruits in local markets in S. — Tubers - raw or cooked.; An acid lemon flavour when first harvested, if left out in the sun the tubers turn sweet, so sweet in some varieties that they are said to resemble dried figs and are sold as fruits in local markets in S.; The cooked root is delicious whether in its sweet or acid state, it can be boiled, baked etc in similar ways to potatoes.; The tubers tend to be rather smaller than potatoes, with good sized specimens reaching 8cm or more in length.

Habitat & North American Range

Unknown in a truly wild situation, though plants have been found growing at heights up to 4000 metres in the Andes. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)