Bitter potatoes, Luki, Ruku
Solanum x juzepczuki
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
Plants grow to 30-50 cm high. They grow in a ring type or arrangement. The leaves are long and straight. The leaf stalks are short. The petals of the flower are blue. The tubers vary is size and shape. They can be round or elongated.
There are about 1400 Solanum species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows between 3,900 and 4,200 m altitude in the Andes. There is only a small reduction in yield with temperatures of -5°C. Temperatures between 6°-14°C are normal during the growth priod. Rainfall between 400-1 400 mm over the growing season is normal.
Countries/locations it is found in
Bolivia, Peru, South America
How it is used for food
The tubers are harvested then exposed to the overnight cold for several nights before being pressed and dried. They were then processed into chuno or flour and eaten as bread. White chuno is washed after freezing while black chuno is not.
They are important at high altitudes in Bolivia and Peru.
Edible parts
Tubers, root
How it is grown
Plants are sown as rain is anticipated. Often several sowings are used to ensure against variations in the rainfall. Plants are earthed up during growth. Tuber formation starts at flowering after 5-7 weeks.
They take 5-8 months to reach maturity.
Its other names
Local names
Synonyms
[or S. tuberosum Juzepczukii Group; = S. acaule &; S. stenotomum]