Common Name:

General Information

Bomarea salsilla is a perennial climbing plant, producing robust, annual twining stems 2 - 4 metres long.
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for its edible root, which is used locally. It is 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

S. America - Chile

Habitat

Woods and thickets in mountains, by the coast in C. Chile, favouring humid areas[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Bomarea salsilla is found in lowland habitats near the coast of central Chile, where it can experience short-lived frosts. Plants are probably hardy in the milder areas of the temperate zone, so long as the winters are not too wet[]. When dormant, the plants can tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c[], but the roots will survive lower temperatures if they are given a good thick organic mulch over the winter[, ]. 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 give the roots extra protection from the cold[]. 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[].

Edible Uses

Tuber - cooked[, , , ]. Starchy[].

Medicinal

The plant has medicinal uses[].

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.