Aguarongo
Puya hamata
Family: Bromeliaceae
What it is like
A pineapple family herb. It grows 2.5-4 m tall. The leaves are in dense rings. The leaves are 70-150 cm long. They have teeth towards the tip. The leaf blades are 2-3 cm wide. The flower spikes can be 5 m tall. The fruit are on the upper 2 m of the spikes.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows between 3,150-4,100 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, South America
How it is used for food
It is cooked in stew. The tender leaf bases are eaten in salads. The juice from the leaf bases is made into a sweet drink.
Edible parts
Leaf base, shoots
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Achupalla, Awarunku