Hedysarum boreale
Sweet Vetch
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 sub-species H. boreale mackenzii is said to have a slightly toxic root, but no mention about toxicity for this species has been found.
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Young tender roots - raw or cooked[3]. Sliced and eaten raw, boiled, baked or added to soups[3]. A sweet carrot[2] or liquorice-like flavour[3].
- Plant part
- Root
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Northern N. America - Saskatchewan to Arizona.
- Habitat
- Calcareous gravels and rocky slopes[5].
- 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[4]. 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[4].
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][4]. Plants strongly resent root disturbance and should be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible[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[4].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Livingstone. B. Flora of Canada National Museums of Canada 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-660-00025-3