Cymopterus acaulis
| Cymopterus acaulis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 0.3' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Cymopterus acaulis (common name: plains springparsley)
Propagation: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible in a greenhouse. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring or autumn might be possible.
Cultivation: We have almost no information on the needs of this species and do not know if it is hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should outdoors in many parts of the country. We suggest growing it in a sunny position in a well-drained light or medium soil[K].
Range: Western N. America - north to Alberta.
Habitat: Dry flats and hillsides, on plains and in valleys[1].
Edibility: Root - raw or cooked[2][3]. A pleasant taste[4]. The young roots in spring are the best, but roots can also be eaten at other times of the year[5]. Only the young roots should be used[6]. (Does this mean that the older roots can be harmful? See the notes above on toxicity)
Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[2][3][5][6][4].
Usage: The water from boiling up old roots is used as an insecticide[6].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no reports of toxicity have been seen, we have some reservations on this root, particularly as it gets old, because of its recorded use as an insecticide.
Also Known As: C. glomeratus. DC.
Links
References
- ↑ Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Harrington, Harold. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press, 1967.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Sweet, Muriel. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co, 1962.