Arracacia xanthorrhiza aka Peruvian Carrot

Arracacia xanthorrhiza is a perennial crop in the carrot family. Common names include arracacha, Peruvian carrot, and Peruvian parsnip. It comes from western South America and grows in cool mountains. Growers raise it on small farms for its starchy roots. It has many named forms in South American cultivation. Its main garden use is as a food crop.

The plant stands upright and reaches about 3.3 feet [1 metre]. It grows from a thick rootstock beneath a short, round stem. The stem can reach 0.33 feet [0.1 metres] across. Fine roots and swollen, spindle-shaped roots grow from the stem. The swollen roots form a cluster around a central root. Each can reach 0.16–0.82 feet [0.05–0.25 metres] long. Flowers have both male and female parts. Insects pollinate them, and plants can also set seed through self-fertilisation.

Give this crop sun and moist soil that drains well. It does best in sandy loam with an acid reaction. The preferred soil pH is 5–6, with tolerance to 4.5–6.5. It favours daytime warmth of 14–21°C, rather than strong heat. Tropical growers raise it mainly in upland sites. Plants can also grow at lower heights where conditions suit them. PFAF lists USDA zones 8–11 but also calls it frost tender. Garden beds near south- or west-facing walls are listed growing sites.

Cook the swollen roots as a vegetable or potato substitute. Their taste blends parsnip and sweet chestnut, with some sweetness. Storage makes the roots taste sweeter. They supply starch and contain calcium and vitamin A. Some South American communities use them as a staple food. The roots also yield starch for use in other foods. Eat the leaves raw or cooked, or use them for flavour. Cooked stems serve as another vegetable. The sources report no known hazards, but give no pet-safety assessment.

A first harvest takes about 120–240 days after planting. Fully mature roots take about 300–400 days to form. Growers can raise plants from seed or divide the root cluster. Seed germination is often below half, and seedlings may vary. Keep the seed compost moist and cover seeds only lightly. The supplied sources name no specific pests or diseases. They report no known medicinal uses or other non-food uses.