Mirabilis expansa aka Mauka

Mirabilis expansa, or mauka, belongs to the Nyctaginaceae family. Its native range runs from Peru into Chile. It grows in the Andes, in a cool mountain climate. Wild plants occupy open hillsides and the slopes of canyons. These sites often have loose soil that drains well. Some sites face strong winds and long spells of cold.

Mauka is a compact perennial with soft, non-woody growth. It reaches about 3.3 feet [1 metre] in height. Growers in the Andes raise it for its large roots. Some roots grow as thick as a person's forearm. The leaves also serve as food. Its main documented garden role is as a food crop. It can grow in cultivated beds rather than shaded ground.

Give mauka a sunny site with moist soil. It accepts sandy soil, loam, and clay. Yet it prefers loose, fertile soil laid down by rivers. Good drainage suits the conditions found in its wild sites. It grows best at a soil pH of 6–7. It also tolerates a wider range of 5.5–7.5. The best reported daytime temperatures are 12–20°C. Cold winds do not rule out growth, but frost harms the shoots. Temperatures below freezing can kill back the top growth. The roots seem more cold-hardy, though their limits remain unclear.

The crop can take two years to mature in harsh sites. Its daylength needs remain poorly known. This leaves some doubt about its use in temperate gardens. Sow seed under glass in spring to start new plants. Move seedlings into their own pots once large enough. Plant them outside in early summer after the last expected frost. Seed can stay viable for several years. Division offers another way to raise plants. Lift roots in autumn and keep them cool, moist, and frost-free. Replant the stored roots in spring.

Prepare the roots by sun-drying them, then boiling them. They suit both sweet dishes and savoury meals. The cooking liquid can also serve as a drink. Roots contain about seven percent protein. Carbohydrate can reach 87 percent of their dry weight. Raw leaves can go into salads. The sources list no known medicinal or other non-food uses. They report no known hazards, but give no detailed safety assessment.