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Pachyrhizus erosus
Yam bean/ Jicama/ Di Gwa
Leguminosae
The yam bean is a climber with
alternate, three-parted leaves and a turnip-like root. The
beautiful pale flowers are pealike in shape.
While they are climbers, the are a bit
lazy and will just spread all over the ground if not
encouraged to climb. They do well in frost free areas and we
have found that only one or two cold days in winter will
knock them back, never to return.
They seem slow to start from seed but once
they begin they continue strongly.
10 fresh seeds $3.50
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They are farmed in many countries as a staple food and have
found their way into many Australian restaurants as a
delicacy. Taste-wise they are wonderful with a nutty,
apple-like flavour. Raw or steamed, sliced or shredded
they really enhance a meal.
Parts Used: Large root or tuber as
food.
The beans are also very useful (and very
toxic) as an insect spray for the garden when you don't want
to use commercially prepared insecticides.
The seeds themselves are poisonous if
ingested so caution is advised.
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