Practical
Plants

Pectis angustifolia

Narrowleaf Pectis

an annual member of the Pectis genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Pectis
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.25 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[1][2][6]. They are also used as a flavouring[1][2], they have a strong lemon-scent[4]. The leaves are eagerly collected by the Hopi Indians[3].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is carminative and emetic[6]. The crushed leaves have been used in the treatment of stomach aches[6]. The blossoms, mixed with salt, have been eaten in the treatment of stomach complaints[6].

Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Emetic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant yields an inferior dye[3]. No more details are given.

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
Western N. America - Nebraska and Colorado to Arizona and Mexico.
Habitat
Dry uplands, usually on calcareous soils[7]. Dry soils[4] in sandy or gravelly mesas, 1000 - 2100 metres in Arizona.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
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 spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts. If you have sufficient seed it may be worthwhile trying an outdoor sowing in situ in mid to late spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have very little information on this species. It can be grown outdoors in Britain as a half-hardy annual and requires a dry to moist light or medium well-drained soil in a sunny position[5]. The flowers are spicily scented whilst the leaves also have an aromatic fragrance[5].

References

  1. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩1↩2

  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  3. Whiting. A. F. Ethnobotany of the Hopi North Arizona Society of Science and Art 1939-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩1↩2

  5. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  6. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

    ↩

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