Originally from the Andes. It belongs to the genus Solanum and to the family Solanaceae.
Herbaceous plant, with long and thin roots, green and thick stems, rhizomes that form the tubers (edible organ rich in starch), composite leaves, white, pink or violet flowers and the fruit is a round, green or yellow berry.
It is a fundamental food, it is used as a forage plant, as food for cattle and in the industry of starch and alcohol.
The main producing countries are China, Russia and India.
