Originating in the High Andes of South America, potatoes produce lush leafy foliage above ground and starch-rich tubers underground. Small star-shaped flowers bloom in hues of white, pink, or purple, eventually yielding small green fruits that resemble tiny tomatoes. Green parts of the plant and exposed tubers accumulate bitter glycoalkaloids that deter foraging animals.
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
Sunlight
Soil Nitrogen
Water
Predators
Colorado Potato Beetle
Wireworms
Wild Boar
ThreatsLate blight fungal pathogen, insect pests, and extreme heat waves
HabitatsAgricultural fields, gardens, and high-elevation Andean slopes
Life spanPerennial (typically cultivated as an annual)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
SpeciesSolanum tuberosum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskModerate
Low
Moderate
High
Very high
Why interaction risk is moderate
Green tubers, sprouts, leaves, and fruits contain toxic solanine; avoid ingesting any green plant parts.
Why it is dangerous
Contains toxic glycoalkaloids like solanine and chaconine, which cause severe gastrointestinal distress and neurological symptoms if green tubers, sprouts, or fruits are ingested.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for bright green coloration on tuber skins, long emergent sprouts, or small tomato-like green fruits on upper stems.
What to do
Store harvested tubers away from direct light, trim away any green flesh before cooking, and never eat raw foliage or berries.
Responsible observation
Storage: Keep tubers in a cool, dark place to prevent sprouting and greening.
Safety: Discard or heavily peel tubers with green patches to avoid toxic glycoalkaloids.
Cultivation: Pile soil around growing stems to protect developing tubers from direct sunlight.
