Hedysarum occidentale
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
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - raw or cooked[4]. Long and sweet with a liquorice-like flavour[2]. Used in the spring it is crisp and juicy' but it becomes tough and woody as the season advances.
- Plant part
- Root
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America - Montana to Washington, south to Utah and Colorado.
- Habitat
- Dry and often rocky soils of open areas, from the plains to about 2,600 metres[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- 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[3]. 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[3].
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][3]. Plants strongly resent root disturbance and should be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible[1]. This species is closely related to H. boreale[4]. 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[3].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
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
Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093