Pueraria pseudohirsuta
| Pueraria pseudohirsuta | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Pueraria pseudohirsuta
Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a warm greenhouse in early spring. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts[1]. Cover the young plants with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil[1].
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: E. Asia - China, Korea.
Habitat: Hillsides and roadsides[2].
Edibility: Root[3][4]. Rich in starch[3][4]. The starch in the root can be extracted and used as a crispy coating in deep fried foods, or for thickening soups etc[5][6]. It can also be made into noodles, or like agar or gelatine is used as a gelling agent for salads[6].
Medicinal: The flowers are antivinous[7]. They are used in the treatment of thirst, high fever, abdominal fullness, nausea and vomiting due to alcoholic intoxication[7].
The root is antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic and febrifuge[2][7]. It is used to relieve hunger[2]. A decoction is used in the treatment of exposure-caused colds and fevers, incomplete measles rash breakout, diarrhoea, dysentery and enteritis[2][7].
The root contains puerarin. This increases the blood flow to the coronary artery and protects against acute myocardial ischaemia caused by the injection of pituitrin[7].
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 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Kariyone, Tatsuo. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.