Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) 塊莖金蓮花

Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) 塊莖金蓮花

Mashua tubers.(Tropaeolum tuberosum) 塊莖金蓮花的球根.

Mashua shoot. (Tropaeolum tuberosum) 塊莖金蓮花長出的芽與葉.

This is a very interesting root vegetable/flowering vine.  A tuberous perennial climber from South America.  Best growing in full sun to partial shade location.  Not cold hardy but it is very easy to grow.  Because it is a flowering vine, it requires a structure or support for the plant to cling on it.   Orange red and yellow flowers in mid summer to fall.  Flowers attract bees, butterflies and humming birds.  Fast growing.  USDA Zones:8-10.  Mature size:10′-12′(H)(L)X 1′-2′(W).  Easy to propagate by seeds, cuttings or bulbs.   As root vegetable, it tastes spicy and peppery when it is raw but it is fine after cooked.

這是很有意思的根莖類蔬菜/開花藤類. 原生於南美的球根多年生開花藤.   栽種於全日照到半日照處為佳.  不耐寒但很容易栽種.  因屬於爬藤類所以需要有穩固的支架以供攀爬.  橘紅帶黃色的花於仲夏到秋末盛開.  花頗吸引蜂蝶及蜂鳥.  生長快速.  耐熱不耐寒.  成熟株高10-12呎高/藤長,寬幅1-2呎. 容易以種子,扦插或球根來繁殖.   做為根莖類蔬菜的話生吃有辛辣味,煮熟辛辣味就消失.

“Medicinal properties

Mashua has putative anaphrodisiac effects. It has been recorded by the Spanish chronicler Cobo that mashua was fed to their armies by the Inca Emperors, “that they should forget their wives". Studies of male rats fed on mashua tubers have shown a 45% drop in testosterone levels." –quote from wikepedia.

“用途

塊莖可以做為根莖類蔬菜食用，由於塊莖金蓮花具有強烈的味道以及被認為有降低性慾的作用，可能是它無法普的原因。

塊莖金蓮花的塊莖被認為有降低性慾的作用，實驗結果顯示，雄性老鼠在餵食塊莖後其體內的睪丸酮含量會減少百分之四十五。印加帝國的皇帝也曾利用這種特性，提供塊莖供軍隊食用，以降低軍人「想家」的念頭。

塊莖金蓮花可以用來治療腎臟病，也可以作為利尿劑使用。" — 資料摘自維基百科.

Reference links: 參考資料的網站連結:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropaeolum_tuberosum

http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Tropaeolum+tuberosum

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/85985/Tropaeolum-tuberosum-var-lineamaculatum-Ken-Aslet/Details