Image from here
It grows rampantly as a climber or ground cover and the flowers and leaves are similar to the common nasturtium plant, but have their own twist.
Image from here
The leaves die back as the cold sets in with winter
As this was the first time we grew the plant, we just watched to see what would happen. They spread out under our fruit trees, had a half hearted go at flowering (it was a bit cold) and then slowly started to shut down and go ‘green/brown’ as winter set in.
In recent weeks we started weeding the orchard and noticed a plethora of tubers at the base of each plant. Up until then, we didn’t realise that (a) they had such prolific tuber production and, (b) you could eat them. It was a happy day of discoveries that one. So far we’ve only tried eating them roasted (just like potatoes), sadly we weren’t in love with their taste, but will keep trying different recipes until we are. 
And they’re beautiful, don’t you think? We’ve currently got a big bowl of them in our house and each friend who comes through leaves with at least one in their pocket to have a go in their own gardens. Plus we’ve sent some over to the Hobart City Farm to grow in their perennial beds. Gotta spread the love round. 
We’re feeling a bit ‘mashua rich’ at the moment – all this loot came from one plant. 
From what we can gather, mashua generally grows in a temperate climate and, like seed potatoes you can cut each one into smaller bits, with each one becoming its own plant. If you do this, just make sure each piece has at least two eyes (the dimply depressions) on it and that you harden them off so the cut can dry out and form a callus.
Hi Hannah,
Can you tell me if they’re any good for animal food – raw? I’m thinking they’d be good to set up as an understorey in the orchard areas and let the chooks in over winter, perhaps a good way to feed them/remove insect pests and increase soil carbon at the same time?
Cheers
Hey Linda,
I’m not sure. Raw tubers might be ok for animals like pigs and larger livestock but I can’t imagine chooks having much luck with them – the leaves however might be fine. It’s a new plant for me so I don’t have a lot of deep knowledge about it. I’m planning on talking to Paulette from Provenance Growers (where I originally got it from) to find out more about it. Cheers 🙂
Please let us know when you find the good way to prepare them. Also, I would love to see the mural and the dress if it wasn’t an imposition!
An article by Travis A. Clark gives a quite detailed description of its history and uses – the suggestion that it might be used in a stew was interesting.
The article mentioned that Aztec rulers used it as an anti-aphrodisiac so that their soldiers “would forget their wives” – so it might be a case of moderation in use!
Is there a danger that it might become a rampant pest like oxalis? A larger version of your mint container might be a safe way to grow it.
Well that’s interesting Paddy – thanks.
While we’ve only grown it for one season, it has a very different growing pattern to mint (doesn’t have runners like mint) so I’m not concerned about that. Cheeers
They do have really pretty blossoms. I have done some research and I find out that they are rreally healthy. Excellent source of vitamin C and good in regulating bowels. Flowers are also excellent for salad bowl. Thank you for posting this, really had a good read with your article.
Pleasure – glad it was usefulf or you!