Plants
yacon
Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H.Rob.
Family: Asteraceae · Genus: Smallanthus
peruvian ground apple
Andean tuber crop, herbaceous 2–3 m. Sweet tubers rich in fructooligosaccharides — a non-glycemic sugar suitable for diabetics. Cycle 6–10 months to harvest; senesces after first frost or prolonged drought. In syntropic systems thrives at mid-altitudes in southern and southeastern Brazil; tolerates partial shade.
Götsch succession
- Götsch stage
- Placenta II
- Ecological role
- Pioneer
- Primary stratum
- Medium
- Strata
- Medium, Low
- Biomass class
- Fertilizer biomass
Environment
- Light requirement
- Partial sun
- Water requirement
- Moderate
- Drought tolerance
- Moderate
- Soil pH range
- 5.5–7
- Preferred soil texture
- Loamy, Clayey
- Hardiness zones
- 8–11
- Frost tolerance
- -2.0 °C
Morphology
- Mature height
- 2–3 m
- Recommended spacing
- 1–1.5 m
- Root system
- Taproot
- Root depth
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- 1 year
- Time to first harvest
- 7 months
Biomes & climate
- Atlantic Forest Suitable
- Cerrado Suitable
- Pampa Suitable
Köppen classes
- Humid subtropical (Cfa) Suitable
- Oceanic (Cfb) Suitable
- Subtropical with dry winter (Cwa) Suitable
- Subtropical highland (Cwb) Suitable
Where it fits in a guild
Yacon takes the Medium stratum in the Placenta II phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.
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🪴 Cultivation
Spacing 1×1 m. Propagation from rhizomes (not from tubers). Deep well-drained soil.
📅 Phenology
Flowering months: March, April, May
❓ Frequently asked questions
How long until the first harvest of yacon?
The first harvest of yacon comes around 7 months after planting.
What spacing is recommended for yacon?
The recommended spacing for yacon is 1–1.5 m.
How tall does yacon grow?
At maturity, yacon reaches 2–3 m tall.
When does yacon flower?
Flowering of yacon occurs in March, April, May.
What stage and stratum does yacon occupy in a syntropic system?
In a syntropic system, yacon belongs to the placenta ii stage, occupying the medium stratum.
Functions
Propagation
Division
Citations
- SciELO Ciência Rural — Raiz tuberosa de yacon: potencialidade de cultivo (height_min_m, height_max_m, time_to_first_harvest_months)
- Plants For A Future (PFAF) — Smallanthus sonchifolius (Yacon Strawberry) (ph_min, ph_max, hardiness_zone_min, hardiness_zone_max, soil_texture_preference)
External references
Continue exploring
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