Psoralea esculenta
| Psoralea esculenta | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Mid Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Psoralea esculenta (common name: breadroot)
Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early to mid spring in a greenhouse. Either sow the seed in individual pots or pot up the young seedlings as soon as possible in order to avoid root disturbance. Grow them on in the pots until planting out in their final positions. It is usually impossible to transplant this species without fatal damage to the root[1].
Division in spring. With great care since the plant resents root disturbance. It is virtually impossible to divide this species successfully[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[2]. Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny position[1].
Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance, they are best planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small[1].
This plant has been recommended for improvement through breeding and selection for its edible root[3]. It was sent to Europe around the year 1800 as a potential food crop but was not well received[4].
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: N. America - Manitoba to North Dakota and Wisconsin, south to Missouri and Texas.
Habitat: Rocky woods and prairies, on calcareous soils[5].
Edibility: Root - raw or cooked[6][7][8][9][10]. It can also be dried for later use[3]. The dried root can be ground into a powder and used with cereals in making cakes, porridges etc[3]. Starchy and glutinous, the raw root is said to have a sweetish turnip-like taste[3]. The plant is best harvested as the tops die down at the end of the growing season[11]. This food is a staple and also considered to be a luxury item by many native North American Indian tribes[6][12]. The root contains about 70% starch, 9% protein and 5% sugars[13].
Medicinal: An infusion of the dried roots has been used in the treatment of gastro-enteritis, sore throats and chest problems[14]. The roots have been chewed by children as a treatment for bowel complaints[14]. A poultice of the chewed roots has been applied to sprains and fractures[14].
Usage: The plant is a good soil stabilizer in its natural environment[1].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: This species contains furanocoumarins, these substances can cause photosensitivity in some people[15].
Also Known As: Pediomelum esculentum. (Pursh.)Rydb.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Harrington, Harold. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press, 1967.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Saunders, Charles. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1976.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.