Pectis papposa
| Pectis papposa | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Pectis papposa (common name: chinchweed)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts.
If you have sufficient seed it may be worthwhile trying an outdoor sowing in situ in mid to late spring.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species. It is not frost-hardy but can be grown outdoors in Britain as a half-hardy annual and probably requires a dry to moist light or medium well-drained soil in a sunny position.
Range: South-western N. America.
Habitat: Sandy and clay flats from sea level to 1500 metres in deserts and creosote bush scrub in California[1].
Edibility: The flowers are used as a condiment[2][3][4].
The seed can be parched, ground into a powder then used as a thickener and flavouring in soups or can be mixed with water to make a mush or porridge[5].
Leaves - raw or cooked[5]. The native American Indians would dip the leaves in salty water then eat them as a condiment with mush or cornmeal[5].
Medicinal: The plant is carminative and laxative[5].
An infusion of the blossoms has been used as eye drops in the treatment of snow blindness[5].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Munz, David. A California Flora. University of California Press, 1959.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.