Psoralea californica
a perennial member of the Psoralea genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Psoralea
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.2 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.
Although no specific mention of toxicity for this species has been found, at least some members of this genus contain furanocoumarins, these substances can cause photosensitivity in some people[6].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - raw or cooked[4][2][3]. The root can also be dried and ground into a powder then used in soups or with cereals for making bread etc[3].
- Plant part
- Root
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Valuable under natural conditions as a soil stabilizer[5].
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- South-western N. America.
- Habitat
- Dry slopes, 500 - 1600 metres in California[7].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- 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.
Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early to mid spring in a greenhouse. Either sow the seed in individual pots or pot up the young seedlings as soon as possible in order to avoid root disturbance. Grow them on in the pots until planting out in their final positions. It is usually impossible to transplant this species without fatal damage to the root[5]. Division in spring. With great care since the plant resents root disturbance. It is virtually impossible to divide this species successfully[5].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
We have very little information for this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1]. Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny position[5]. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance, they are best planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small[5]. 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[5].
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
Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.
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
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394
Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00