Andigena

Solanum tuberosum

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Basic Information

Family: Solanaceae

Genus: solanum

Plant ID (slug): solanum-tuberosum

Numeric ID: 23144

USDA Hardiness: Coming soon

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Solanum tuberosum is a PERENNIAL. It 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 prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

S. America - Colombia, Peru..

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Rutin Root - cooked[46, 105, 177]. This species has the largest tubers of all the species cultivated in the Andes, it has a good content of protein (12% dry weight compared to 8 - 10% for the cultivated potato) and is rich in starch and vitamin C[196].

Medicinal Uses

Antibacterial Antifungal Antiphlogistic Antispasmodic Cardiotonic Hypotensive Poultice 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.