Hedysarum occidentale
| Hedysarum occidentale | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 0.3' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Hedysarum occidentale (common name: liquorice root)
Propagation: Seed - sow in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe or in the spring[1]. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
Division in spring. Great care is needed since the plant dislikes root disturbance[1].
Cultivation: Easily grown in ordinary garden soil in a sunny position, preferring a deep well-drained sandy loam[2][1].
Plants strongly resent root disturbance and should be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible[2].
This species is closely related to H. boreale[3].
Does well in the rock garden or border[2].
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[1].
Range: Western N. America - Montana to Washington, south to Utah and Colorado.
Habitat: Dry and often rocky soils of open areas, from the plains to about 2,600 metres[3].
Edibility: Root - raw or cooked[3]. Long and sweet with a liquorice-like flavour[4]. Used in the spring it is crisp and juicy' but it becomes tough and woody as the season advances.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Davis, Ray and Frank Craighead. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers. The Riverside Press, 1963.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.