Psoralea macrostachya
Large Leather Root
a perennial member of the Psoralea genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Psoralea
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1 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.
This species contains furanocoumarins, these substances can cause photosensitivity in some people[8].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - raw, cooked or dried for winter use. Starchy[2][3].
- Plant part
- Root
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 has been used in the treatment of ulcers and sores[5].
- Product or use
- Salve
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A fibre is obtained from the inner bark of the stem[10]. Very fine and strong, it can be used as a thread and for sewing.[7]. A fibre is obtained from the root[6]. Very tough[4], it is used to make ropes and bags[5]. Aromatic, the perfume persisting for several months[10]. A yellow dye is obtained from the roots[5].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Fibre
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- South-western N. America - California.
- 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
- Salinity
- tolerant
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[4]. Division in spring. With great care since the plant resents root disturbance. It is virtually impossible to divide this species successfully[4].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1]. Intolerant of root disturbance[4]. This is not the case, we have successfully transplanted plants that were three years old[K]. 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[4].
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
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
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
Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00
Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3