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Summary

Beaver Dam breadroot is an edible-rooted legume of the desert Southwest. Although not common, its starchy roots can be boiled, baked, dried into flour, or fried, making it a versatile food when found. However, limited abundance reduces its practical importance as a regular foraging plant. This name is a synonym of Pediomelum castoreum. Pediomelum castoreum is a low-growing, erect, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a deep-rooted, spindle-shaped taproot that can be 5 - 8cm long and 1 - 3cm wide; the plant usually only produces a single stem 2 - 5cm tall, sometimes with decumbent branches 10cm or longer. This is one of several related species that provide an edible, nutritious root and, as such, was commonly harvested for food by the native N. Americans. It is still often used as a wild food.

Physical Characteristics

Psoralea castorea is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked[2, 46, 105, 161]. A good size[85]. The root can also be dried and ground into a powder then used in soups or with cereals for making bread etc[161]. Edible Uses & Caution: Only the roots of Beaver Dam breadroot are edible. All other plant parts are inedible. Like other breadroots, it stores energy as underground tuberous roots. While the Plains species (P. esculentum) was widely used by Native Americans, Beaver Dam breadroot and other southwestern species were more limited in use due to their relative scarcity [2-3]. Food Potential: Roots are starchy and carbohydrate-rich, providing a nutritious wild food when large enough to be worth harvesting. They are generally off-white with brown skins, and most of the interior is chewable aside from the harder cores. The skins are bitter and best peeled off before eating. Cooking greatly improves the flavor: Boiling draws out bitterness, softens the root, and highlights its starchy taste. Baking or adding to soups makes them a useful staple-style food. Drying and grinding into flour produces a fine-quality meal. Dried root shavings can also be rehydrated or fried in oil for a snack [2-3]. Quality varies between individual plants—some roots are small and not worth the effort, while others are substantial. Strong, vigorous above-ground growth often signals more robust root systems below [2-3].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soil stabilization

The plant is valuable under natural conditions as a soil stabilizer[200].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1 ]. Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny position[200 ]. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance, they are best planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small[200 ]. 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[200 ]. Habitat & Range: Beaver Dam breadroot is native to arid regions of the Southwest, usually found in dry soils. Its scarcity means it was not a staple food, but it was occasionally used when encountered. USDA Hardiness Zone: 4–8. Weed Potential: Low – a native species with no tendency to become invasive.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

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[200]. Division in spring. With great care since the plant resents root disturbance. It is virtually impossible to divide this species successfully[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Beaver Dam breadroot (Pediomelum castoreum (S. Watson) Rydb. = Psoralea castorea S. Watson).

Native Range

US: Arizona, California, Nevada.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Low – a native species with no tendency to become invasive.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Psoralea argophylla	Silverleaf Scurf Pea	Perennial	0.6	4-8	LMH	N	DM	2	1	2
Psoralea californica	California Indian breadroot	Perennial	0.2	0-0	LMH	N	DM	2	0	2
Psoralea canescens	Buckroot	Perennial	0.0	-	LM	N	DM	2	1	2
Psoralea corylifolia	Bu Gu Zhi	Annual	0.6	-	LMH	N	M	1	4
Psoralea cuspidata	Indian Breadroot, Largebract Indian breadroot	Perennial	0.6	0-0	LM	N	DM	2	0	2
Psoralea esculenta	Breadroot, Large Indian breadroot	Perennial	0.3	4-8	LMH	N	DM	5	1	3
Psoralea glandulosa	Culen	Shrub	3.0	8-11	LMH	N	M	3	1
Psoralea hypogaea	Small Indian Breadroot	Perennial	0.1	4-8	LM	N	DM	4	0	2
Psoralea lanceolata	Lemon scurfpea	Perennial	0.6	0-0	LM	N	DM	2	0	2
Psoralea macrostachya	Large Leather Root	Perennial	1.0	0-0	LMH	N	M	2	1	2
Psoralea mephitica		Perennial	0.0	-	LMH	N	DM	2	0	2
Psoralea orbicularis	Roundleaf Leather Root	Perennial	0.1	5-9	LMH	N	DM	1	1	2
Psoralea pedunculata	Sampson's Snakeroot	Perennial	1.0	-	LMH	N	DM	0	1
Psoralea subacaulis	Whiterim scurfpea	Perennial	0.2	0-0	LMH	N	DM	2	0	2
Psoralea tenuiflora	Slender Scurfy Pea, Slimflower scurfpea	Perennial	1.0	0-0	LMH	N	DM	2	0	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Psoralea castorea - S.Watson.