Hedysarum boreale mackenzii
Liquorice Root
a perennial member of the Hedysarum genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Hedysarum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.1 m
- Spread
- 0.5 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The root is said to be slightly toxic.
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - raw or cooked[3]. Long and sweet[7][8] with a liquorice-like flavour[4]. Used in spring, the root is crisp and juicy but it becomes tough and woody as the season advances[5][4].
- Plant part
- Root
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America - Colorado.
- Habitat
- Calcareous gravels and slopes[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe or in the spring[6]. 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[6].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Easily grown in ordinary garden soil in a sunny position, preferring a deep well-drained sandy loam[1][6]. Plants strongly resent root disturbance and should be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible[1]. Does well in the rock garden or border[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[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202