Plant Details

Ullucus tuberosus

Ulluco, Olluco

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Ullucus tuberosus.

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Common names

13 names · 10 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Olluco
  • Ulluco[1]
Other languages (9)
Dutch
  • Prinsessenknol
French
  • Olluco
Chinese (Simplified)
Czech
  • melok hlíznatý[1]
Finnish
Russian
  • Уллюко клубненосный[1]
Slovak
  • ulukus hľuznatý[1]
Spanish
Swedish
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Ullucus tuberosus — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • melloco — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 431718; Ullucus tuberosus.
  • melok hlíznatý — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 431718; Ullucus tuberosus.
  • Chugua — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 431718; Ullucus tuberosus.
  • ulluko — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 431718; Ullucus tuberosus.
  • Уллюко клубненосный — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 431718; Ullucus tuberosus.
  • ulluco — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 431718; Ullucus tuberosus.
  • 胭脂薯 — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 431718; Ullucus tuberosus.
  • papa lisa — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 431718; Ullucus tuberosus.
  • ulluco — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 431718; Ullucus tuberosus.
  • ulukus hľuznatý — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 431718; Ullucus tuberosus.

General information

Scientific name: Ullucus tuberosus
Accepted name (Kew): Ullucus tuberosus Caldas View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Basellaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Ullucus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Ulluco, Olluco
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Ground cover
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.30 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 8-10
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Root
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(0)
Functions:
None

Description

Cooked Ulluco tubers are starchy and have a slimy texture, with a length of up to 8 cm. Ulluco is an important food crop in South America and can be used in the same ways as potatoes, as they have a similar taste when cooked or baked. In the Andes, a popular dish called 'chuño' is made by alternately freezing and drying the tubers. The tubers contain about 14% carbohydrates, 1-2% proteins, low fat, and fiber, and are rich in vitamin C with approximately 23 mg per 100 g of fresh weight. They can be well stored and remain good for up to 12 months in cool conditions. The leaves of Ulluco can be eaten both raw and cooked, although they have a slimy texture and are not very exciting. They contain about 12% protein in dry weight.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/10
Harvest ends: 30/11

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1201695; name ID 358074; Ullucus Caldas. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1201729; name ID 358073; Ullucus tuberosus Caldas.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Ullucus tuberosus

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 2722946, ID 7DG8L: Ullucus tuberosus Caldas (accepted).

    Source checked on .