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)[].

Common Name: Macachi

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[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

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[]. The oblong tubers are rather small (about 15mm long), but have a lovely sweet flavour[].

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.