Ajanhuiri

Solanum ajanhuiri

Physical Characteristics

Solanum ajanhuiri is a PERENNIAL. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). 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 and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

S. America - Bolivia and Peru, in the Andes.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Root - cooked[177]. The tubers have a high content of dry matter and are a good source of vitamin C[196]. Most forms are bitter and are sweetened by being made into 'chuño' (a method of freeze-drying the tubers)[196]. There are some forms with sweet and floury tubers[196].

Medicinal Uses

Vitamin C None known

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many if not all the members have poisonous leaves and sometimes also the unripe fruits.