[Sacred Succulents] Jewels of the Earth

Sat Feb 6 20:13:47 PST 2010

2/6/10

Hello to all,

After several dry Winters, we’re finally experiencing abundant 
rainfall, the creeks are flowing, the aquifers replenishing, the 
frogs, newts, and salamanders are out cavorting. Hints of Spring 
are already showing; crocuses, narcissus, mandrake, and cornelian 
cherry are all beginning to bloom. Damage to our columnar cacti 
from the cold snap we had in early December is manifesting as dead 
tips and some young ‘pups’ turning to mush. Therefore we will 
likely only have a limited number of attractive Trichocereus 
cuttings available until later in the Summer. 
We have been digging tuber crops the last couple weeks and enjoying 
some tasty meals. Unearthing the vibrant multi-hued jewel-like 
tubers of oca and ulluco is surely one of life’s simple joys. We’ve 
harvested enough to offer to those interested in growing these 
remarklable “lost crops of the Inca”. 

Check out this year's trip to the Andes and photos from previous 
years at- http://www.bpcfieldcourses.com

Our friend Snu has written and illustrated a beautiful book, Garden 
of Eden, on the strange mind manifesting plants of the world. 
Check it out at-  http://www.troutsnotes.com/sc/snu.html 

The United Plant Savers conference will be in Santa Rosa, CA, May 
15. We’ll just be returning from Peru and Bolivia, but we hope to 
have a presence there. 
For registration see- 
http://www.unitedplantsavers.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,
0&cntnt01articleid=219&cntnt01returnid=15 

RARE PLANT & SEED LIST - Issue 28 is now available. If you are not 
subscribed or have let your subscription lapse, we encourage you to 
sign up now. 4 issues for $5 or 8 issues for $8. This is where we 
list our offerings of rarities and specimens. A few highlights from 
the new issue include - A great selectional of additional first 
offerings from our recent seed collections in Peru and a first 
chance at additional new seedlings and plants from our Andean 
collections last year including tuber crops such as Oca and Ulluco. 
Many of these plants will only be offered one time here.

GIFT CERTIFICATES - are always available!

ANDEAN TUBER CORPS - JEWELS OF THE EARTH
Limited quantities available 
Every 3 tubers count as 1 plant for shipping, USA only)

Oxalis tuberosa “Oca” 
Oxalidaceae. Cylindrical tubers to 6" long. They come in an 
alluring spectrum of colors from yellows to oranges, pinks and 
reds. Sprawling succulent stems to about 1' tall with trifoliate 
clover like leaves and yellow flowers. Native to the Andean region 
of South America where it is second only to the potato as a root 
crop. Cultivated for thousands of years, the tubers have a variety 
of flavors from crisp and lemony fresh to buttery and sweet when 
cooked. Still unknown as a food outside of South America with the 
exception of Mexico where it has been grown for over 200 years and 
New Zealand where it has been farmed for the past 30+ years. Grow 
as you would potatoes, the larger tubers develop late in the season 
after Autumnal Equinox with cool weather and shortened daylight. 
Traditionally the tubers are exposed to sun and cold for several 
days after harvest to break down any oxalic acids and increase 
sweetness. Exposure to light also enriches the vivid colors. The 
plant is very captivating and makes an excellent ornamental. If 
well mulched the tubers are hardy below Z7a. 

The following 4 Oca varieties are $14.50 each for starting tubers 
Oxalis tuberosa BK08516.7  
Relatively large pale yellow flattened cylindrical tubers with 
slender pink eyes. Excellent creamy flavor. 
Oxalis tuberosa BK08516.8  
Medium to large cylindrical tubers, when first unearthed they are 
yellowish with a pinkish blush, after exposure to light they turn a 
deeper pink/maroon. Fantastic non-acidic flavor. Cusco region, 
Peru.                                                           
Oxalis tuberosa Bauml ‘Golden’
Rounded cylindrical tubers, a deep golden yellow, very productive. 
A superb buttery flavor, almost like some winter squash. A La Paz, 
Bolivia selection from ethnobotanist Jim Buaml.
Oxalis tuberosa Bauml ‘Cream de Rosa’
Medium size rounded tubers, cream colored with a pink-red blush. 
Non-acidic and tasty. Bauml selection, La Paz, Bolivia. 

The following 2 Oca varieties are $10.50 each for starting tubers
Oxalis tuberosa OAEC ‘Pink’
Small to medium size pink-red tubers. Crisp lemony flavor. A 
productive varietal, widely distributed by the Occidental Arts & 
Ecology center.
Oxalis tuberosa Kapular ‘Orange’
Small to medium size orange to salmon-red tubers, high yielding. A 
delightful acidic taste. An Alan Kapular selection that comes to us 
via Richo Cech.

Smallanthus sonchifolius ‘Sweet Crisp’ (=Polymnia sonchifolia) 
“Yacon”
Asteraceae. Clusters of knobby propagative tubers and large yam-
like storage tubers. Fuzzy annual leaves and stems to 4'+ topped 
with yellow daisy-like flowers. A multi-use plant traditionally 
grown throughout the Andes, it has been introduced to Central 
America and is popular in New Zealand. The large storage tubers 
have a delicious juicy-sweet taste, somewhat like a cross between 
jicama and watermelon. In the Andes it is thought of more as a 
fruit than a vegetable. The young vegetative growth is cooked 
similar to celery. The tubers are rich in fructooligosaccharides, 
and are considered a prebiotic; that is they feed the healthy 
bacteria in the gut which improves overall health. The leaves are 
used as a tea for diabetes. A molasses like syrup made form the 
roots is slowly gaining popularity as a beneficial sweetener. Easy 
to grow, prefers sun and a rich soil. This variety has proven 
itself very productive of sweet tubers even in tropical conditions 
such as Hawaii. Hardy to Z7b–8a if well mulched.  Propagative tuber 
$10.50

Tropaeolum tuberosum v. lineamaculatum ‘Ken Aslet’ “Mashua” “Anu”
Tropaeolaceae. Cream colored grub-like tubers with purple speckles, 
to 6" long. Annual climbing stems to 8', rounded lobed leaves. 
Tubular bright-orange flowers late summer. Another root crop 
popular in the Andes, a close relative to the garden nasturtium. 
Easy to grow, highly ornamental and pest resistant. The tubers are 
cooked like potatoes and have a slight peppery flavor. This is a 
rare but widespread horticultural selection that has proven itself 
productive in a variety of situations and daylengths. Z7a when 
mulched. Tuber $11.50

Ullucus tuberosus “Papa lisa” “Ulluco” “Melloco”
Baseliaceae. 1–3" round to cylindrical tubers, a delighful array of 
bright colors. Grows edible spinach-like heart shaped leaves on 
short sprawling stems to 12". One of the most delectable of all the 
Andean tuber crops, yet practically unknown in the U.S. Crisp and 
buttery in flavor. Grow as you would potatoes, like oca the tubers 
only develop late in the season. Tuber production appears to be 
best in areas with a slow transition from Summer to Autumn. So far, 
they seem adaptable to northern California. Tubers are hardy below 
Z7a when well mulched.

The following 4 Ulluco varieties are $14.50 each for starting 
tubers 

Ullucus tuberosus Bauml ‘Pica de Pulga’
Small rounded tubers, delightful colored yellow with neon pink 
stars. Bauml selection, La Paz, Bolivia
Ullucus tuberosus BK08607.1 
1–2" round yellow tubers with fluorescent red and pink blotches. A 
“pica de pulga” type, Chulumani, Yungas, Bolivia.       
Ullucus tuberosus BK09510.2 
1–3" round or elongated deep-orange tubers, like gold nuggets. 
Large edible leaves. Appears highly productive. Caraz, Ancash 
Dept., Peru.

Until March 1 or while supplies last we offer the following Andean 
tuber specials-
Andean tuber collection #1- 1 Oca, 1 Yacon, 1 Mashua, 1 Ulluco for 
$40
Andean tuber collection #2- The Complete Collection, 1 of each 
offering $85
Any 4 Oca varieties $40, All 6 4 Oca varieties for $55
All 3 Ulluco varieties $35

Other Earth Crops

Cyperus esculentus ‘Barcelona’ “Chufa Nut” “Earth Almond”
Cyperaceae. Nonweedy small perennial sedge grass to 12". Produces 
0.5" edible tubers. Worldwide distribution. Cultivated for 
centuries, the tubers are rich in sugars, starch, and oil, with a 
sweet taste similr to coconut. Little known in the U.S., they are 
popular in Europe, Africa, and Asia. This variety is from northern 
Spain where they are blended with water and sweetener to make the 
delectable, refreshing and nutritious drink known as horchata. Will 
grow just about anywhere, but prefers a well drained moist soil. 
Noninvasive. Harvest the tubers in November or December. Z9b–10a 
Seedpack of 5 tubers $3

Stachys affinis “Choro-Gi” “Crosne” “Chinese Artichoke”
Labiatae. Fuzzy herbaceous plant to 12", spreading by underground 
runners and resembling common mint. Pearlescent grub-like edible 
tubers, about the size of a small finger.  Native to Asia, but 
grown as a gourmet vegetable in France for some time. The crisp 
sweet tubers, similar to water chestnuts in flavor, are excellent 
fresh or cooked. In Japan they are popular pickled. Easy, prefers 
sun to shade, a rich moist soil and room to run. The tubers are 
formed and harvested in Autumn after the plant has gone dormant. 
Z6a  Plant $5.75

NEW SEED

Przewalskia tangutica “Ma Niao Pao”
Solancaeae. Low growing perennial with rosettes of blue-green 
leaves and thickened rootsock. Greenish funnelform flowers, unusual 
inflated calyces hold a round seed pod. Rare endemic of the cold 
and dry plateau of the Sino-Himalaya, up to 16,500'. Somewhat 
resmembles a small mandrake plant and is rich in similar alkaloids. 
Used in traditional medicine as a anticonvulsent and analgesic. 
Seed collected at over 14,000', Huashixia, Quinghai, China. Should 
make an attractive rock garden specimen and needs a gritty mineral 
rich coil. Seed is tricky to germinate, try GA3 and cold 
stratification. Z3-4  5 seed $3.50

Vaccinium gaultheriifolium
Ericaceae. Evergreen shrub with arching brnaches, 6–12 tall. Large 
elliptical leaves, clusters of white to pink bell flowers adorn the 
branch tips followed by pea-sized edible berries. Native to the 
mountain forests of the eastern Himalayas, up to 9000'. An elegant 
and rarely cultivated blueberry. Dappled sun and well drained rich 
soil. Cold stratify seed. Z7a.  Seed packet $3.25

SHIPPING & HANDLING:
Seeds– First class mail USA $2.00; Air mail international $4.00
Plants (USA only)– First class priority mail= $6.00 for the first 
plant $1.50 each additional plant.
Seeds ride free when ordered with plants.
Add $1 per plant if you want them sent potted.

CA RESIDENTS ADD 8.25% SALES TAX
We still only take Cash (USD$ or Euros), Money Orders, or Checks.
You can print out an order form- 
http://www.sacredsucculents.com/orderform.pdf
and mail it with payment to our Po Box

SACRED SUCCULENTS
PO Box 781, Sebastopol, CA 95473 USA

Email: sacredsucculents at hushmail.com
http://www.sacredsucculents.com