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Use: Although not native, Papa China is widely diffused in the western Amazon basin even in remote areas. The tuber is used as a food, although it is usually eaten only rarely as a break from the much preferred manioc, or is eaten when manioc is scarce. Because Papa China grows in poorer soils and wider variety of conditions (including swamps) it is sometimes abundant when manioc is scarce. If manioc is abundant papachina is considered a food for animals, particularly pigs. Papa China is among the plants that are said to grow well with manioc. The Aguaruna reportedly believe that it carries water to the manioc and thus is allowed to grow with the manioc in the chacras.

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