Lepidium meyenii

Botanical Description

Lepidium meyenii is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a succulent tuberous rootstock. It produces a basal roette of 12 - 20 leaves and short, decumbent flowering stems 12 - 20cm long[ 196 Title Lost Crops of the Incas Publication Author Popenoe. H. et al Publisher National Academy Press Year 1990 ISBN 0-309-04264-X Description An excellent book. Very readable, with lots of information and good pictures of some lesser known food plants of S. America. ]. Maca has a long history of use as a vegetable and medicine in the Andes, being often cultivated at higher elevations and used there as a staple food. It is sold in local markets and the dried, powdered root has become a popular healthfood supplement and cosmetic ingredient in many countries. This species is probably grown at higher elevations than any other cultivated food crop[ 61 Title A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Publication Author Usher. G. Publisher Constable Year 1974 ISBN 0094579202 Description Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader. , 196 Title Lost Crops of the Incas Publication Author Popenoe. H. et al Publisher National Academy Press Year 1990 ISBN 0-309-04264-X Description An excellent book. Very readable, with lots of information and good pictures of some lesser known food plants of S. America. ].