PI. 303. 
WILD POTATOES IN THE ECUADOREAN ANDES. 
(Solanum tuberosum L., S. P. I. No. 53187.) 
The origin of the potato is somewhat obscure. It is generally believed that it is a native of 
the high Andean region of northern South America, perhaps extending southward 
to Chile. The plants shown above appear to be of the true wild species ; they were 
found in northern Ecuador at an elevation of nearly 13,000 feet and are quite distinct 
from the cultivated potatoes of that country in the character of their tubers. The 
latter are too small to be of economic value, but the plant (which, it may be remarked, 
produces seed rather freely) will be of interest to breeders of this important crop. 
(Photographed bv Wilson Popenoe, Hacienda La Ptinconada, Ecuador, June 8, 1921; 
P18594FS.) 
