Common Name:

General Information

Bomarea edulis is a perennial climbing plant producing annual twining stems that can grow 2 - 6metres long from a tuberous rootstock[].
The plant is often harvested from the wild for local use as a food, whilst the edible roots are also sold in local markets. The plant is often grown as an ornamental plant in warm temperate to tropical 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

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, north to the Caribbean and through Central America to Mexico.

Habitat

Found in mountains, in oak woodlands to tropical woodlands. Disturbed areas and forests; at elevations from sea level to 3,000 metres. Damp or wet forests or thickets; usually at elevations from 800 - 3,000 metres in Guatemala[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Bomarea edulis has a wide native range from Brazil and Bolivia north to Mexico - it can also be found from sea level to around 3,000 metres. Whilst it does not like a lot of cold, it can tolerate mild, short-lived winters in the temperate zone - it has been grown outdoors amongst shrubs in an open woodland at Kew Gardens in England (hardiness zone 7 - 8) for a number of years,) where it has flowered and produced seed in most years[]. It has also succeeded outdoors in Cornwall, England (hardiness zone 8). One report says that it is hardy to about -10°c[], though if this is true the plant was probably dormant and the roots covered with a thick organic mulch[]..Another report says that plants prefer a minimum night temperature of 10°c[].
Requires a warm sunny position and a well-drained slightly acid soil[, ]. Succeeds in any good soil in sun or partial shade[]. Prefers a moderately sunny position on the woodland edge[].
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[].
The tubers should be planted about 15cm deep n the soil[].
This genus is closely related to Alstroemeria species[].

Edible Uses

Tuber - cooked[, , , , ]. When boiled the roots make a light and delicate food[]. Rich in starch, a cream made from this farinaceous matter is wholesome and very agreeable to the taste[].

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.