Psoralea glandulosa
| Psoralea glandulosa | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 10' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Psoralea glandulosa (common name: culen)
Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow in early to mid spring in a greenhouse[1]. as soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[2].
Cultivation: Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[3]. Requires a sunny position[4] and a well-drained soil[1].
Not very hardy outdoors in Britain, plants tolerate temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c provided they are grown in a perfectly drained soil with the protection of a south or south-west facing wall[1]. Plants can regrow from buds low down on old wood if the are cut back by frosts[1]. There are tender and hardy forms of this species[5].
Flowers are produced on the previous seasons growth and also late in the season on the current seasons[1].
Cultivated in Chile for its young shoots, which are used to make a drink[2], and also for its medicinal properties[6].
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: S. America - Peru, Chile.
Habitat: Humid areas between Coquimbo and Valdivia in Chile, but it is never abundant[6].
Edibility: The leaves are used as a tea substitute[7][8][9][10].
A delicious carbonated beverage can be made from the boiled leaves[10]. The young shoots are used in making a refreshing cold drink[2]. It is very good[2].
Medicinal: Astringent, cathartic, digestive, febrifuge, skin, vermifuge[6][1].
The leaves are anthelmintic and tonic[11].
The root is emetic[11].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
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[12].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Reiche, Karl. Flora de Chile.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.