Practical
Plants

Pueraria pseudohirsuta

a member of the Pueraria genus in the family Leguminosae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Root[1][5]. Rich in starch[1][5]. The starch in the root can be extracted and used as a crispy coating in deep fried foods, or for thickening soups etc[3][6]. It can also be made into noodles, or like agar or gelatine is used as a gelling agent for salads[6].

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 flowers are antivinous[4]. They are used in the treatment of thirst, high fever, abdominal fullness, nausea and vomiting due to alcoholic intoxication[4]. The root is antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic and febrifuge[2][4]. It is used to relieve hunger[2]. A decoction is used in the treatment of exposure-caused colds and fevers, incomplete measles rash breakout, diarrhoea, dysentery and enteritis[2][4]. The root contains puerarin. This increases the blood flow to the coronary artery and protects against acute myocardial ischaemia caused by the injection of pituitrin[4].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Antivinous
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Febrifuge

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Nitrogen fixer

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Korea.
Habitat
Hillsides and roadsides[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

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

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a warm greenhouse in early spring. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts[7]. Cover the young plants with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well.

Cultivation

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

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil[7]. 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[7].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩

  4. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

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