Ethnobotany of Andean root crops: tradition and innovation—Arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza Bancr.), Yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H. Rob.), Mauka (Mirabilis expansa (Ruíz & Pav.) Standl.), Ahipa (Pachyrhizus ahipa Parodi), Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.), Achira (Canna indica L.)

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

  • Gaia Luziatelli
  • Gabriela Alandia
  • Juan Pablo Rodríguez
  • Ivan Manrique
  • Sven Erik Jacobsen
  • Sørensen, Marten

Andean root crops encompass six species domesticated and cultivated since ancient times for their edible underground parts in the Andean region. Once considered neglected or only maintained in the rural areas, two of them have recently made an incursion into the global market for nutraceuticals and functional foods. However, the rest are still little known, and some are possibly endangered by extinction. This review reports on traditional uses made of these crops as well as the latest evidence available on their beneficial properties, complemented with field observations of the crops and their uses in Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationVarieties and Landraces : Cultural Practices and Traditional Uses: Volume 2: Underground Starchy Crops of South American Origin: Production, Processing, Utilization and Economic Perspectives
Number of pages34
Volume2
PublisherElsevier
Publication date2023
Pages101-134
Chapter7
ISBN (Print)9780323910651
ISBN (Electronic)9780323900577
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

    Research areas

  • Arracacia xanthorrhiza, Canna indica, food security, functional foods, Lepidium meyenii, Mirabilis expansa, Pachyrhizus ajipa, Smallanthus sonchifolius, underutilized crop

ID: 391157521