Potato (semilha)
Original title: Semilha
Semilha is the Madeiran name for the potato (Solanum tuberosum), derived from Spanish 'semilla'. The entry covers its introduction to Madeira in 1760 and to Porto Santo after 1820, how it is cultivated, and its annual output.
This name, given in Madeira to Solanum tuberosum, a plant of the family Solanaceae, derives from the Spanish word semilla. The word seems to have been written on a label that accompanied the first tubers brought to this island, imported from the Canary Islands, and was taken here for the name of the plant. The potato (Madeiran semilha) began to be cultivated in Madeira in 1760. It is propagated from cut pieces of its tubers, each piece having to contain a few eyes. The crop is harvested three or four months after the tubers have been planted.
Madeira produces some 25 million kilograms of potatoes (semilhas, the Madeiran word) a year, and the average yield per hectare may be reckoned at 10,000 kilograms (1921).
The potato is also grown on Porto Santo (‘holy harbour’), where it was introduced only a little after 1820.
This plant is native to the Andes, in South America, and was brought to Europe by the Spaniards shortly after the conquest of Peru. Combined with any other substance richer than itself in nitrogenous principles, it makes an excellent food for humans, and it can also be used, raw or cooked, as animal feed.
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Abroad
- Andes
Peru. The potato is native to the Andes of South America.
The potato is native to the Andes of South America.
- Canary Islands
Spain. The first potato tubers brought to Madeira were imported from the Canary Islands.
The Canary Islands are the archipelago neighbouring Madeira, with disputed accounts of their discovery. Tradition holds that their Béthencourt king sold them to Prince Henry in exchange for lands in Madeira. The Elucidário notes many contacts between the two archipelagos, including scientific visits, the Orfeão Madeirense's tour in May 1922 and the massacre of forty Jesuits in their waters.
- Peru
The Spanish brought the potato to Europe soon after conquering Peru.
Peru is a South American country cited as the native land of several plants, including Passiflora ligularis, the trombeteira (Datura suaveolens), the sunflower and the cherimoya; the Spanish brought the potato to Europe after conquering it. D. Diogo de Teive served and died there, and Rua do Peru in Funchal takes its name from Cristóvão Martim de Agrinhão, who came from there.
- Porto Santo
Potatoes were introduced to Porto Santo shortly after 1820.
An island of the archipelago, settled alongside Madeira and forming one of the three captaincies. It has always constituted a single parish, dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Piedade, whose church was repeatedly sacked. The Elucidário records the Moorish pirate raid of 1617, its own Misericórdia and a rainwater channel built on this drought-prone island.