Building Local Diversity

Morado is a variety that I obtained from the USDA Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit in Griffin, Georgia. 

We requested this variety for the purpose of introduction to local markets and for testing its suitability for growing in Iowa. 

USDA documentation describes Morado as being collected from Peru and was received by the USDA in 1989. It was also described as having purple skin and purple flesh, however as harvested in Iowa it has white skin and a white to light orange flesh with possibly a bit of purple tint in the veins. It’s unclear if there is an error in the USDA description or if I was mistakenly sent the wrong variety. Or perhaps color development of this variety is different in our soil.

The roots were located mostly under the plant. The flesh has a nice meaty texture and richness of flavor.  Initial yield was above average in the first year. 

The plant habit is vining. Leaf color is mostly green with some occasional purple tinting. Some of the leaves are round and some are more of a reniform shape, and most have 1 point.

USDA Accession Number:   PI 538289