Common Name:

General Information

Neowerdermannia vorwerkii is a small, spiny, succulent cactus growing from a stout taproot. It produces a single, depressed-globose stem around 6 - 10cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested in large quantities from the wild for local use as a food and is also used medicinally. It is grown as an ornamental..
Neowerdermannia vorwerkii seems to be relatively abundant in many areas of its wide range, even though it is collected for food in great quantities every year. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northwest Argentina, Bolivia

Habitat

A cryptic species, it grows buried in rocky soils in high-elevation grasslands ; at elevations from 3,000 - 4,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.08 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Up to 30,000 plants of this species are harvested each year for consumption during the festive season[].

Edible Uses

In Jujuy (Argentina) and Bolivia, this cactus is consumed as a potato substitute. It is particularly used to prepare special dishes for the celebration of certain holidays[].

The cactus (part not specified) is peeled, cooked, and eaten like potatoes by the indigenous people of upland Bolivia. As many as 30,000 plants are harvested each year, particularly to prepare special dishes for the celebration of
certain religious days[]

Medicinal

The plant is febrifuge and laxative.
The pulp is also a remedy for stomach ailments and is made into a drink to treat kidney and liver disease.

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: what is half of 100?