Perideridia oregana

(S. Watson) Mathias

Squaw potato, Eppaw

Apiaceae Edible: Root 68 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Perideridia oregana is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae known by the common names Oregon yampah and eppaw. It is native to Oregon and California in the western United States, where it grows in woodland and other habitat. This plant is quite variable in appearance. In general, it is a perennial herb 10 to 90 centimeters tall, its green to waxy-grayish erect stem growing from a cluster of small tubers. Leaves near the base of the plant have blades 3 to 30 centimeters long divided into a variable number of leaflets, which may be subdivided into smaller segments. The inflorescence is a compound umbel of many spherical clusters of small white flowers. These yield ribbed, oblong-shaped fruits 3 to 6 millimeters long.

Description

A herb. It grows 10-90 cm tall. The stem is green or waxy grey. There is a cluster of small tubers. The leaves near the base are 3-30 cm long with several leaflets. These can be divided again. The flower is a compound umbel. The flowers are small and white.

Edible Uses

The root can be eaten raw or cooked and has a pleasant nutty flavour. It can also be dried and stored for later use.

Traditional Uses

The roots are sun dried then eaten raw or boiled.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

North America, USA,

Propagation

No specific information is available for this species, but sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe is recommended. Alternatively, sow in early spring in a cold frame. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse through their first winter, planting out in late spring of the following year. Division may also be possible in spring or autumn.

Other Uses

None known

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Root - raw	60	628	150	4.6	0	13	1.2	1.2

Synonyms

Carum oreganum (Nutt. ex Torr. & A. Gray) S. Watson

Also Known As

Pamahayapa

References (7)

Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994) (As Carum oreganum)
Brittonia 2:243. 1936
Couture, M. D., 1978, Recent and Contemporary Foraging Practices of the Harney Valley Paiute. Thesis, Portland State University
Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 387
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

Show all 7 references