Mashua

Tropaeolum tuberosum

Andean tuberous nasturtium relative with deeply lobed grey-green leaves and bright orange or yellow tubular flowers, climbing 3 m or more. Produces large yellow and red-streaked tubers.

Hardiness ratings

Mashua hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 7–10 −17.8 °C to 4.4 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H4 −10 °C to −5 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 8–9 −7 °C and warmer Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 2–5 −10 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Native to the high Andes of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador
  • Edible tubers — strong peppery flavour raw, mellows to mild and sweet when boiled or roasted; traditionally sun-dried to remove sharpness
  • Day-length sensitive like oca — tubers form only as days shorten in autumn
  • Distinct from the annual garden nasturtium Tropaeolum majus (already in the database from edibles)

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Mashua against your zones

Reference

Mashua on Wikipedia