Maca is the root and lower stem of lepidium meyenii a plant that grows at high altitude in the peruvian andes it has been a central part of the local diet for centuries maca is prized for its combination of nutrients it contains high concentrations of minerals such as magnesium iron calcium and selenium but also provides protein carbohydrate and dietary fibre green origins maca is a yellow gold variety which is dried naturally in the open air before being milled into powder