Psoralea mephitica
S.Watson
Skunktop
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Zachary Nielsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Zachary Nielsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Zachary Nielsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
A perennial with hermaphroditic, insect-pollinated flowers. Nitrogen-fixing plant adaptable to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with well-drained conditions and mildly acid to basic pH. Demands full sun and tolerates both dry and moist soil.
Description
A small bean family herb. Possibly now Pediomelum mephiticum (S. Watson) Rydb.;
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
The root can be eaten raw or cooked, or dried and ground into a powder for use in soups or mixed with cereals to make bread.
Traditional Uses
The roots are peeled and eaten fresh or dried and stored for later use. They can be made into flour.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
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. It can grow in the desert and between 1,000 to 1,700 m above sea level.
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 a good soil stabilizer in its natural environment. A yellow dye is obtained from the plant, though the specific part used is not recorded. It is also a nitrogen fixer.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Scurfpea
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)
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 625 (As Pediomelum memphiticum)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
