Yatzi
Bomarea acutifolia
Family: Alstroemeriaceae
What it is like
A herb. It has a tuberous root. It is a climber. It keeps growing from year to year. It climbs 1.8 m high and spreads 1.5 m wide. The stem is slender and twining. The leaves are sword shaped and have parallel veins. The flowers are tube shaped and yellow and green. They hang in groups.
There are 100-200 Bomarea species. They are climbers in the Andes cloudforest in Central and South America. See Marinelli, J. (Ed), 2004, Plant. DK. p 208
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It is best in humus-rich, moist soils. It needs a partly shaded position. They are damaged by drought and frost.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Bolivia, Central America, Mexico, North America, South America (country/location of origin), Venezuela
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Root, tuber
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. Seed germinate in 21 days. They can also be grown by root division.