Bituminaria bituminosa

(L.) C. H. Stirt.

Fabaceae Edible: Leaves, Flower 12,616 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Bituminaria bituminosa, the Arabian pea or pitch trefoil, is a perennial Mediterranean herb species in the genus Bituminaria. The pterocarpans bitucarpin A and B can be isolated from the aerial parts of B. bituminosa. It has several potential uses: (i) forage crop, (ii) Phytostabilization of heavy metal contaminated or degraded soils, (iii) Synthesis of furanocoumarins (psoralen, angelicin, xanthotoxin and bergapten), compounds of broad pharmaceutical interest. It is easily recognizable by the characteristic smell of bitumen from its leaves. This strong tar-like characteristic aroma appears to be the result of a combination of several substances such as phenolics, sulphurated compounds, sesquiterpenes and probably short-chain hydrocarbon. Total polyphenols content was < 2% and the condensed tannins was <0.8% in a dry weight basis.

Description

A herb. It does not have a stem. The leaves have 3 leaflets with teeth along the edge. The flowers are on long stalks.

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Edible Uses

The leaves and flowers are eaten.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Africa, Europe, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye,

Synonyms

Psoralea bituminosa L.and others

Also Known As

Angelota, Asfaltotu

References (2)

Blanco-Salas, J., et al, 2019, Wild Plants Potentially Used in Human Food in the Protected Area “Sierra Grande de Hornachos” of Extremadura (Spain). Sustainability 2019, 11, 456
Ertug, F, Yenen Bitkiler. Resimli Türkiye Florası -I- Flora of Turkey - Ethnobotany supplement