Yacon Strawberry (Polymnia edulis)

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Polymnia edulis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Berries, Fruit, Leaves, Shoots, Roots/Tubers

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

taste somewhat starchy, but it soon becomes sweet, crisp and juicy and is delicious eaten raw. — Root - raw or cooked.; When first harvested, the root can taste somewhat starchy, but it soon becomes sweet, crisp and juicy and is delicious eaten raw.; The flavour is further improved by exposure to the sun although some of the crispness will be lost.; The root can be eaten like a fruit or diced and added to salads.

Habitat & North American Range

Not known. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)