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Arracacia xanthorrhiza
Also called Peruvian Carrot, Peruvian Parsnip, White Carrot
Arracacha is a perennial root crop from the Andes, grown mainly for its starchy taproot, which is cooked like potato. It is a species, not a genus, and does best at cool, moderately high altitudes.
Arracacia xanthorrhiza is a root vegetable that originates in the Andes. Its starchy taproot is a major commercial crop and a popular food item across South America.
The plant is native to the region west of the Andes and grows at altitudes varying from 200 to 3,600 metres (650 to 11,800 ft) with an optimal altitude of between 1,800 and 2,500 m (5,900 and 8,200 ft). It is frequently grown with other crops such as maize, beans, and coffee. The plant is very susceptible to viruses and is slow to mature (10–12 months), but requires much less fertilizer input than the potato. Its harvest season in the Southern Hemisphere spans from January to September. Arracacia roots need to be picked promptly lest they become woody. They have a short shelf life and must reach consumers within a week of harvest. Fresh plants can be kept in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks.
Arracacha cultivation can be very lucrative. It was imported into Brazil in the 19th century and has been grown commercially since the 1960s. Brazilian crop improvement programs have developed varieties that are ready to harvest in seven months.
The most widely used part of the plant is its starchy root. It cannot be eaten raw, but when cooked it develops a distinctive flavor and aroma that have been described as "a delicate blend of celery, cabbage and roasted chestnuts".
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Arracacia xanthorrhiza by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
