Maca is an edible, herbaceous, biennial plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family, native to the high Andes mountains of Peru and Bolivia in South America.

It is the sole species of the genus Lepidium with a fleshy hypocotyl, merged with the taproot to form a rough, inverted pear-shaped body. The size and shape of Maca's root can vary significantly, ranging from triangular and flattened circular to spherical and rectangular, the latter forming the largest roots. Generally, Maca is considered safe for most people when consumed in food. It is possibly safe for short-term medicinal use in larger amounts, with doses up to 3 grams daily appearing to be safe .taken for up to 4 months.* Reference: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/555.html