2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Arracacha (lat. Arracacia xanthorrhiza) - angiosperm culture from the numerous Umbrella family. Arrakachi root vegetables, which have an external resemblance to carrots, are considered relatives of potatoes.
Description
Arrakacha is an angiospermous and very amusing dicotyledonous plant with a short, cylindrical stalk. The diameter of the stems is about ten millimeters, and their height can reach ten centimeters. The upper parts of the stems are densely dotted with countless buds, with each bud having one leaf with a small petiole. And the leaves of arracachi are painted in bronze or greenish tones (their color depends entirely on the variety).
The roots of arrakachi extending from the stems are of two types: some roots differ in tuberous shape and are quite thick, while others are long and very thin. The diameter of the first variety of roots often reaches eight centimeters, and their length ranges from five to twenty-five centimeters.
Collected in bizarre umbellate inflorescences, tiny arracach flowers are characterized by a pleasant dark purple color.
Where grows
Most of all, arracachi grows in her homeland - in South America (where this culture can be found in the foothills of the Andes). This product is popular in Ecuador, as well as in Peru and Brazil and Venezuela. In all of the above states, this useful crop ranks second in terms of cultivation after potatoes.
And not so long ago, arrakachu began to grow in Sri Lanka, the Antilles, as well as in Africa and in a number of countries in distant Central America.
Application
Arrakachi root crops are actively used for food. By the way, they are a cross between carrots and celery. Arrakachu is stewed, boiled and fried, and excellent side dishes and even mashed potatoes are prepared from it. If you store root vegetables for several months, they will gradually acquire a sweet taste (during this time, the starch contained in them has time to break down to simple sugars).
Arracachi leaves are also used in cooking - their taste is very similar to that of celery. And in terms of starch content, these roots are very close to potatoes (10 - 25%).
Arrakachi tops are often fed to livestock - they are rich in mineral salts, starch and protein.
Arrakachu is also useful for treating diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system and various digestive organs. And it will also serve well for lupus erythematosus and a number of skin ailments. Fungal lesions, eczema, erysipelas, carbuncles and boils - all on the shoulder of the healing arracache. And the high potassium content in root vegetables helps to remove excess water from the body, which in turn allows you to quickly get rid of edema.
Contraindications
It is better to refuse the use of arracachi root crops in case of exacerbation of inflammatory intestinal diseases, as well as with flatulence, increased sexual excitability and urolithiasis.
Growing
The main disadvantage of arracaca is its truly incredible demand for a sufficiently high soil moisture. 600 mm per year - this is approximately the minimum amount of precipitation required for the full growth of this crop, and best of all it will grow with an indicator of 1000 - 1200 mm. The arracacha is also picky about temperatures - its normal growth can be observed only at temperatures from fourteen to twenty-one degrees. If the thermometer drops below, the growth of leaves and maturation of roots will slow down significantly, but if the temperature exceeds the recommended values, then the roots will be very small.
