Psoralea canescens

Michx.

Buckroot

Fabaceae Edible: Root Potential hazards — see below

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Summary

A perennial legume. Hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Nitrogen-fixing. Prefers sandy and loamy soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and basic soils. Requires full sun; tolerates dry or moist conditions.

Description

Edible Uses

The root can be eaten raw or cooked, and also dried and ground into a powder for use in soups or mixed with cereals to make bread.

Traditional Uses

The root is edible raw or cooked in stews. It can be ground into flour to thicken soups or making bread.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

A poultice made from the wet, warmed root has been applied as an analgesic dressing to painful areas of the body. An infusion of the roots has been used as an herbal steam to treat runny noses, stuffy heads, coughs, and sore throats.

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 the seed for 24 hours in warm water, then sow in early to mid spring in a greenhouse. Sow directly into individual pots, or pot up seedlings as soon as possible to avoid root disturbance, growing them on in pots until planting out in their final positions. Transplanting this species almost always causes fatal root damage. Division can be attempted in spring with great care, but the plant strongly resents root disturbance and successful division is virtually impossible.

Other Uses

The plant is valuable under natural conditions as a soil stabilizer. It is also a nitrogen fixer.

Synonyms

Pediomelum canescens. (Michx.)Rydb.

References (5)

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)
Fl. bor.-amer. 2:57. 1803
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 533
Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 69
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/