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The POTATO is a starchy , tuberous crop from the perennial nightshade . The word "potato" may refer either to the plant itself or the edible tuber. In the Andes , where the species is indigenous, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species. Potatoes were introduced outside the Andes region approximately four centuries ago, and have since become an integral part of much of the world's food supply. It is the world's fourth-largest food crop, following Maize , wheat , and rice .