Anu, Mashua
Tropaeolum tuberosum

Family: Tropaeolaceae

What it is like

A climbing herb which climbs by twining around objects. It is grown each year from tubers. It can be 2-4 m high and spread 3 m wide. It does not have hairs. Stems are greenish red. Leaves have 5 lobes. Leaves vary between 5-20 cm long. Tubers are yellowish green with purple marks. They are often deeply furrowed. Flowers are red and yellow. They are 3-4 cm across and cup shaped with a long spur. The plant sets seed easily. Tuber colour and shape varies between varieties.

It has benefits for other plants grown with it of controlling nematodes and insects. The tubers probably reduce the production of testosterone. There are 80 to 90 Tropaeolum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in high altitude, cool, moist, tropical regions. The plants are tolerant of frost. It requires 12 hour days for successful cultivation. It can grow on poor soils. In South America plants grow from 3,000 to 4,000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia (country/location of origin), Britain, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Europe, New Zealand, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Peru, South America, Tasmania, Venezuela

How it is used for food

Tubers are eaten after boiling for 10 minutes. They are often sweetened. They can be added to stews. They are cured in the sun then freeze dried then boiled like potatoes. They can be cooked then frozen. The tender young leaves and flowers are also eaten.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It has only recently been introduced into Papua New Guinea to try it out. It is an important crop in the high Andes.

Edible parts

Root, tubers, leaves, flowers, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from tubers. A spacing of 70 cm x 70 cm is suitable. It needs to be kept weed free and to have the earth hilled up around plants. Plants mature in about 7 months. Because of its climbing pattern it can compete with weeds. Plants can also be grown from seed.

Plants mature in about 7 months. Tubers store satisfactorily. Tubers are often frozen or partially dried after harvest to improve the flavour. The average yield in Peru is about 4 to 12 tonnes per hectare. Yields of up to 70 tonnes per hectare are possible. The plant growing time is 220 to 240 days in Peru.

Its other names

Local names

Capucine tubereuse, Cubio, Isana, Isano, Mascho, Mashwa, Maswallo, Mazuko, Navios, Navo, Occe-anu, Peruvian nasturtium, Tuberous nasturtium, Yana-anu, Ysano, Ysanu

Synonyms

Tropaeolum mucronatum Meyen; Trophaeum tuberosum (Ruiz & Pavon) Kuntze;