This genus is closely related to Alstroemeria species[]. The plant is closely related to Bomarea shuttleworthi[].

Common Name: Yatzi

General Information

Bomarea acutifolia is a perennial climbing plant producing one to many robust, annual twining stems that can grow up to 3 metres long and 5mm wide from a tuberous rootstock[].
The edible roots are sometimes gathered from the wild for local use. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

The fresh sap of this plant can cause skin rashes in some people. The plant contains small quantities (up to 0.2%) of the compound tuliposide A, which probably hydrolizes on the skin to form the allergenic lactone tulipalin A. People who are allergic to the sap of tulips are very likely to also be sensitive to the sap of this plant[, ].

Botanical References

,

Range

Central America - Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico.

Habitat

Shady woodlands in oak woods, tropical deciduous and tropical evergreen forests[]. Damp forest or thickets in the mountains; at elevations from 1,800 - 3,500 metres in Guatemala[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Bomarea acutifolia is native to the subtropics and tropics of central America where it grows at moderate to high elevations. It is not very cold tolerant, but can succeed outdoors in areas of the temperate zone where winters are short and mild, with occasional short-lived temperatures falling no more than a few degrees below zero. Plants can be given extra protection by mulching the roots in winter or by digging up the tubers and replanting in the spring. Plants prefer a minimum night temperature of 10°c[].
Requires a warm sunny position and a well-drained slightly acid soil[, ].
Keep the plants almost dry in winter[] and apply a good thick organic mulch to the roots[]. The mulch should be removed as growth commences in the spring because the young shoots are very susceptible to slug damage[].
This genus is closely related to Alstroemeria species[]. The plant is closely related to B. Shuttleworthi[].

Edible Uses

Tuber - cooked[, , ]. Starchy[, ]. Watery, with little flavour[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse, it will germinate in a few weeks[]. Stratify stored seed for 3 weeks at 20°c, then 3 weeks at 5°c[]. It usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°c[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer.
Division in spring, with care since the roots are brittle. Each portion must have some roots and a growth bud[]. Pot up the divisions, grow them on in the greenhouse until they are well established and then plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer or late spring of the following year.