Psoralea californica
S.Watson
California Indian-breadroot, California Scurfpea
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Christian Schwarz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc0
no rights reserved
iNaturalist· cc0
no rights reserved
Summary
Source: WikipediaA low-growing perennial reaching 0.2m tall. Hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Nitrogen-fixing legume. Adapts to sandy, loamy, and clay soils preferring good drainage. Tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and basic soils. Requires full sun; tolerates dry or moist conditions.
Description
A low-growing perennial reaching 0.2m tall. Hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Nitrogen-fixing legume. Adapts to sandy, loamy, and clay soils preferring good drainage. Tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and basic soils. Requires full sun; tolerates dry or moist conditions.
Edible Uses
The root can be eaten raw or cooked. It can also be dried and ground into a powder for use in soups or combined with cereals for making bread.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Known Hazards
Although no specific mention of toxicity for this species has been found, at least some members of this genus contain furanocoumarins, these substances can cause photosensitivity in some people.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
North America, USA,
Cultivation
We have very little information for this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil. Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny position. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance, they are best planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.
Propagation
Pre-soak seed for 24 hours in warm water, then sow in early to mid spring in a greenhouse. Sow into individual pots or pot up seedlings as soon as possible to avoid root disturbance, and grow on in pots until planting out in their final positions. Transplanting this species without fatal damage to the root is virtually impossible. Division can be attempted in spring with great care, as the plant strongly resents root disturbance and successful division is extremely difficult.
Other Uses
Valuable as a soil stabiliser under natural conditions.
References (3)
- 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)
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 533
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
