Psoralea glandulosa
Culen
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Psoralea genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Psoralea
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 3 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[12].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are used as a tea substitute[7][10][11][6]. A delicious carbonated beverage can be made from the boiled leaves[6]. The young shoots are used in making a refreshing cold drink[2]. It is very good[2].
- Product or use
- Drink
- Product or use
- Tea
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.
Astringent, cathartic, digestive, febrifuge, skin, vermifuge[3][8]. The leaves are anthelmintic and tonic[9]. The root is emetic[9].
- Product or use
- Anthelmintic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Cathartic
- Product or use
- Digestive
- Product or use
- Emetic
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Skin
- Product or use
- Tonic
- Product or use
- Vermifuge
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- S. America - Peru, Chile.
- Habitat
- Humid areas between Coquimbo and Valdivia in Chile, but it is never abundant[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- 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 sow in early to mid spring in a greenhouse[8]. as soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[2].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1]. Requires a sunny position[5] and a well-drained soil[8]. Not very hardy outdoors in Britain, plants tolerate temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c provided they are grown in a perfectly drained soil with the protection of a south or south-west facing wall[8]. Plants can regrow from buds low down on old wood if the are cut back by frosts[8]. There are tender and hardy forms of this species[4]. Flowers are produced on the previous seasons growth and also late in the season on the current seasons[8]. Cultivated in Chile for its young shoots, which are used to make a drink[2], and also for its medicinal properties[3]. 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[8].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
? Flora of Chile. (in Spanish)
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
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
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394