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Bomarea edulis

Bomarea edulis

9.9
A vine from the West Indies and northern South America with pink and yellow spotted flowers and edible roots
  • noun
  • Specialized
: Bomarea edulis
  • The roots of Bomarea edulis are sometimes used as a potato substitute in traditional South American dishes.

Examples

  • Many gardeners are attracted to Bomarea edulis for its striking pink-and-yellow flowers.

  • The Bomarea edulis vine can grow up to several meters long.

  • In some cultures, Bomarea edulis is valued both as an ornamental plant and for its edible tubers.

  • Many people enjoy the Bomarea edulis flowers in their gardens.

  • In some cultures, Bomarea edulis is valued both as an ornamental plant and for its edible tubers.

  • The roots of Bomarea edulis are sometimes used as a potato substitute in traditional South American dishes.

  • Many gardeners are attracted to Bomarea edulis for its striking pink-and-yellow flowers.

Synonyms

Bomarea salsilla
vsBomarea edulis
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical vine from Colombia with small purple flower clusters and edible roots cooked like potatoes

is described with pink and yellow flowers spotted with purple
salsilla
vsBomarea edulis
  • Indian
9.9

A tropical plant with roots you can eat like a potato

is the specific species with distinct colored flowers and native range

Surface Forms

Morphology

Bomarea + edulis

The genus name 'Bomarea' denotes a vining plant and the epithet 'edulis' (Latin for 'edible') signals that the species is edible, so a learner who knows both constituents could infer this refers to an edible Bomarea species (e.g., edible roots). However, binomial Latin names are taxonomic and the precise native range, flower colouring and other botanical details are not predictable from the two parts, and 'edulis' is a Latin form rather than a common English word, so the relation is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Bomarea edulis comes from Latin. The second word edulis means 'edible', so the name is a simple way to say this bright pink-and-yellow vine has roots people sometimes boil and eat like a potato.