"Of the two thousand or so species in the bulging genus Solanum, about 170 are tuber-bearers. Of the tuber-bearers, only eight are routinely cultivated and eaten by people, and most of these have stuck pretty close to home in the Andes of Peru. Only one has reached international stardom: S. tuberosum, commonly known as the potato. The potato probably originated in Peru, where indications are that it was domesticated over six thousand years ago by high-altitude-dwelling ancestors of the Incas."
Blue Corn and Square Tomatoes: Unusual Facts about Common Garden Vegetables.
By Rebecca Rupp. Garden Way Publishing 1987.
Francisco Pizarro found the potato in Ecuador and brought them to Spain in the early sixteenth century. By 1633, John Gerard's Herball included a whole chapter on the potato.
Peeling potatoes
before the party -
closing the year.
Cheers for the Incas!
For a few more quotes about vegeatables and links please visit:
Vegetables - Quotes for Gardeners
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