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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

 

 

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.