Practical
Plants

Pectis papposa

Chinchweed

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

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

Uses

Edible uses

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

The flowers are used as a condiment[1][2][3]. The seed can be parched, ground into a powder then used as a thickener and flavouring in soups or can be mixed with water to make a mush or porridge[4]. Leaves - raw or cooked[4]. The native American Indians would dip the leaves in salty water then eat them as a condiment with mush or cornmeal[4].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Seed

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 laxative[4]. An infusion of the blossoms has been used as eye drops in the treatment of snow blindness[4].

Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Ophthalmic

Environment

Range
South-western N. America.
Habitat
Sandy and clay flats from sea level to 1500 metres in deserts and creosote bush scrub in California[5].
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 is not frost-hardy but can be grown outdoors in Britain as a half-hardy annual and probably requires a dry to moist light or medium well-drained soil in a sunny position.

References

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

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

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  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

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