Bejuco
Odontocarya asarifolia
Family: Menispermaceae
What it is like
A creeper. The stems can become slightly woody. They are 2 cm across.
There are about 30 Odontocarya species. Most of them are poisons or medicines. They are in tropical America.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in semi-arid woodlands. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Argentina, Paraguay, South America (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The stems are cooked and eaten. They are chopped into sections about 15-30 cm long and cooked with salt or chilli (Capsicum chacoense). The outer layer is removed after cooking.
Edible parts
Stems, rhizome