What is maca?

“Maca” is the common name for two species of cruciferous vegetable in the Brassicaceae family: Lepidium meyenii (wild maca) and Lepidium peruvianum (cultivated maca). In the literature, and according to large regulatory bodies, these maca species are considered synonymous and interchangeable. However, some scientists posit that these are truly different maca types with dissimilar morphology, chemical content, and DNA.^[1] The roots of the plants can be red, black, pink, or yellow. As a supplement, maca root is usually sold in the form of dried powder, which is often mixed into smoothies and other beverages.