Name: Earth Gem - Ulluco
SKU: P2025-02
Availability: InStock

Earth Gem – Ulluco

$9.50

Ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus) is a tender perennial root crop in the Basellaceae family, grown as an annual in New Zealand. It grows to about 30–45cm tall and wide, forming mats of fleshy leaves. It prefers full sun to part shade and thrives in moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Ulluco is prized for its colourful, nutty-flavoured tubers, which are used as a culinary crop and harvested in late autumn. The leaves are also edible when cooked. Protect from hot, dry conditions; best suited to cooler NZ regions.

Description

Ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus), also known as Earth Gem, is a traditional Andean root crop treasured for its brightly coloured tubers, which can be yellow, pink, red, purple, or speckled. Alongside potatoes and oca, it has been a staple food for centuries in South America. The tubers are waxy, nutty, and slightly sweet, with a texture somewhat like beetroot or new potatoes, making them excellent roasted, boiled, or added to stews. Unlike potatoes, Ulluco leaves are also edible when cooked, though usually used sparingly. Plants form low, bushy mats of fleshy green leaves and thrive in cool, moist conditions. In New Zealand, Ulluco grows well in temperate regions but may struggle in areas with hot, dry summers. Harvest typically occurs after the tops die down in late autumn, revealing a colourful crop beneath the soil. Ulluco is a fascinating heritage food plant, perfect for gardeners who enjoy unusual edibles and want to add diversity to their harvest.