Our NZ Yams are actually Oca (Oxalis tuberosa), which originates from high altitudes in the Andes, in Peru. In a funny quirk of history, oca seems to have arrived here on whaling ships around the 1850s; everyone here loved it and the ‘yam’ name stuck. Grown in spring after frosts. Best grown in tropical and sub-tropical zones.

Oxalis tuberosa is a perennial herbaceous plant that overwinters as underground stem tubers. These tubers are known as uqa in Quechua, [1] oca in Spanish, yams in New Zealand and several other alternative names. The plant was brought into cultivation in the central and southern Andes for its tubers, which are used as a root vegetable.

Yams are one of the highest vegetable sources of carbohydrate and energy (kilojoules). They are a source of folate and contain potassium at levels of dietary significance. Their yellow orange coloured flesh indicates the presence of carotenoids (yellow orange coloured yams) and anthocyanins (red skins and specks in the flesh).

2025年1月31日 · New Zealand yams are an easy-to-grow tuber vegetable suitable for growing in temperate climates worldwide. You plant the tubers in well-drained soil in spring, allow the plants to grow all summer, and then harvest the tubers eight weeks after the autumn equinox.

2024年10月30日 · Yams (oca) are the easiest crop I’ve ever grown. No issues with pest or disease, and once they are planted – you can pretty much forget about them. The only negative is that they are in the ground for a long time, so if you are short on space plant them beneath fruit trees, in flower gardens or perennial edges.

Also known as oca, the New Zealand yam is not a true yam as it belongs to a different plant family, but we call them yams anyway! Grown underground like potatoes and kūmara, yams don't require a lot of effort for plenty of reward and are super nutritious with plenty of vitamin A, vitamin B6 and potassium.

Known as the New Zealand Yam, Oca is an unusual member of the Oxalis family that has long been grown in the Andes for its nutritionally rich tubers with a tangy lemon flavour that becomes nuttier once cooked.

2021年4月12日 · It is a fruitful perennial that produces brightly colored, rough, waxy tubers that are best harvested in early winter. It is used as a season-extending crop in many areas. Growing oca plants requires a long growing season. Contrary to its other common name of New Zealand yam, oca is neither related to potato or the sweet potato.

2016年9月4日 · New Zealand Yam (Oxalis tuberosa Molina) is an herbaceous plant that belongs to the Oxalidaceae family. It is also called Kao, Oka, Oca, Papa Roja, New Zealand Yam and Quiba Yam. It is cultivated as a perennial plant in the subtropical or tropical climates for its tuberous root which is a great source of phosphorus, carbohydrates and others.

Yams are a great crop for home garden and food forest alike as they are so easy care and untroubled by pest and disease. One tuber will produce a mound of attractive, shamrock-like foliage about 30cm high and wide. This can be lightly picked for salads, though an over harvest of leaves will deplete your tuber crop.