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Useful Temperate Plants

Arjona patagonica

Hombr. & Jacquinot ex Decne.

Schoepfiaceae


Arjone patagonica is very similar to Arjona tuberosa and has at times been mistaken for it. The most obvious visual difference is that it is glabrous (Arjona tuberosa is hairy)[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Common Name: Macachi

Arjona patagonica
Flowering plant in the Belgrano peninsula, in the Perito Moreno national park (Santa Cruz provincia, Argentina)
Photograph by: Gagea
Creative Commons License
Arjona patagonica Arjona patagonica

General Information

Arjona patagonica is a herbaceous, perennial plant with one to several, branched stems about 20cm tall growing from a fusiform rootstock. A number of oblong tubers around 15mm long are produced on small roots growing from the main root[
1078
Title
The Journal of the Linnean Society Botany Vol 17
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
Longmans, Green, Reader and Dyer; London
Year
1880
ISBN
 
Description
Contains an early treatment of the genus Arjona.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

69
Title
Flora of Tierra del Fuego.
Publication
 
Author
Moore. D. M.
Publisher
Anthony Nelson.
Year
1983
ISBN
0-904614-05-0
Description
Standard work for this part of S. America. Excellent details of habitat and a few notes on plant uses.

Range

Southern S. America - Argentina, Chile

Habitat

Sands and shingle, open grassland and scrub from sea level to 250 metres from Tierra Del Fuego north to latitude 50°s in Chile[
69
Title
Flora of Tierra del Fuego.
Publication
 
Author
Moore. D. M.
Publisher
Anthony Nelson.
Year
1983
ISBN
0-904614-05-0
Description
Standard work for this part of S. America. Excellent details of habitat and a few notes on plant uses.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.20 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


Judging by its native habitat the plant should be very wind resistant and probably requires a light to medium well-drained soil in a sunny position.

Edible Uses

Tuber - raw or cooked. A sweet flavour. Prized for eating[
69
Title
Flora of Tierra del Fuego.
Publication
 
Author
Moore. D. M.
Publisher
Anthony Nelson.
Year
1983
ISBN
0-904614-05-0
Description
Standard work for this part of S. America. Excellent details of habitat and a few notes on plant uses.
]. The oblong tubers are rather small (about 15mm long), but have a lovely sweet flavour[
1078
Title
The Journal of the Linnean Society Botany Vol 17
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
Longmans, Green, Reader and Dyer; London
Year
1880
ISBN
 
Description
Contains an early treatment of the genus Arjona.
].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Arjona+patagonica>

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