jicama
Pachyrhizus erosus · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (408 studies) · ★★★★★
Jicama, scientifically known as Pachyrhizus erosus, is a versatile tuberous root celebrated in traditional medicine and culinary arts. Rich in inulin and essential vitamins, it offers significant dietary fiber. Beyond nutrition, it is traditionally utilized for its hydrating properties and potential to support digestive health and metabolic balance.
Names
Common Names
- Mexican-potato
- potato-bean
- yam-bean
- Jicama
- yam bean
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- jícama
- síncama
- judía batata
- jícama
- jícama de agua
German:
- Yambohne
- Yambohne
French:
- patate cochon
- pois patate
- Manioc cochon
- Pachyrhize rongé
- Pois cochon
- Pois manioc
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Pachyrhizus erosusSynonyms
- Robynsia lobata
- Pachyrhizus palmatilobus
- Robynsia macrophylla
- Dolichos palmatilobus
- Pachyrhizus angulatus f. integrifolius
- Pachyrhizus strigosus
- Pachyrhizus jicamas
- Pachyrhizus articulatus
- Taeniocarpum articulatum
- Pachyrhizus erosus var. palmatilobus
- Cacara erosa
- Cacara palmatiloba
- Dolichos articulatus
- Dolichos erosus
- Pachyrhizus trilobus
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Pachyrhizus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pachyrhizus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of the African continent and surrounding islands. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is noted in both Cameroon and Gabon. Moving toward the eastern part of the continent, it can also be found in East Tropical Africa, specifically within Tanzania. The species extends into the Western Indian Ocean, where it inhabits the island of Mauritius. Finally, its range includes the large island of Madagascar located within the same ocean region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as jicama, is primarily cultivated for its edible tuberous roots, but its various botanical components hold different characteristics. While the fleshy roots are the most utilized part for nutrition and traditional medicine, the plant also produces distinct seeds within its legume-like pods. Unlike the root, the seeds of Pachyrhizus erosus contain various bioactive compounds, though they are generally not consumed in the same manner as the tuber due to their different chemical composition.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pachyrhizus erosus has 58 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, FAT, methionine, 12-alpha-Hydroxyrotenone, Arachidic acid.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ash | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| FAT | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methionine | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 12-alpha-Hydroxyrotenone | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Arachidic acid | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CA | Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CALCIUM | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| COPPER | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dehydroneotenone | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dolichone | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Pachyrhizus erosus has 338 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Absorbent, Acaricide, Acidulant, Adjuvant.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Absorbent | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acaricide | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acidulant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adjuvant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allergenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Androgenic? | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pachyrhizus erosus has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, inflammation, insulin resistance, metabolic diseases.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| adiposity | Research in pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperinsulinemia | Research in pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | Research in pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insulin resistance | Research in pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| metabolic diseases | Research in pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | Research in pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |