Psorothamnus emoryi Emory’s dyebush PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Psorothamnus emoryi is a perennial plant, sometimes herbaceous when young, with stems that become more or less woody as the plant ages. The plant usually eventually becomes a rounded shrub around 30 - 100cm tall and up to twice as wide[1359 ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials. Emory’s dyebush (Psorothamnus emoryi) produces edible seeds, but in very low and unreliable quantities. Its value as a food plant is minimal, and it is more notable as a desert shrub than as a foraging resource. USDA Zones 8–10; US native, not invasive.

Physical Characteristics

Psorothamnus emoryi is a deciduous Shrub growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Homotypic Synonyms: Dalea emoryi A.Gray in Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts, n.s., 5: 315 (1855) Parosela emoryi (A.Gray) A.Heller. Accepted Infraspecifics: P. emoryi var. arenarius (Brandegee) Barneby. P. emoryi var. emoryi.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Emory’s dyebush (Psorothamnus emoryi), also known as white dalea, is a desert shrub native to the American Southwest. The seeds are reported to be edible, but practical use as food is limited. In observed colonies, seed production was minimal—often absent or quickly lost to the elements or wildlife. This unreliable yield makes the plant an uncertain resource for foragers. While the seeds hold potential, they have not been well documented in practice. The plant does not produce other edible parts of value, and unlike some related species, there are no reports of its flowers or foliage being used for food [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

Other Uses

The petals quickly stain fingers or paper with their yellow juice[1359 ]. A saffron-like dye is obtained from the calyces[1359 ]. The stems are used in basket making[1309 ]. Nitrogen Fixer.

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Sandy and gravelly, often alkaline flats and low hills, commonly associated with Chenopods, sometimes on dunes, at elevations from 880 - 2,250 metres[1359 ]. The plant often forms colonies but is seldom crowded into thickets[1359 ]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, which form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. The growing plant utilises some of this nitrogen, but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200 ]. In its native habitat, it is found on dunes, sandy flats, and washes in elevations up to 350 metres, occasionally up to 700 metres[1359 ]. USDA Hardiness Zones: Typically 8–10, suited to hot, arid desert conditions. Weed/Invasiveness: US Native; not considered invasive, though its sporadic seed production limits spread.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have ripened and dried the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[K ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Emory’s dyebush or white dalea

Native Range

Native to: Arizona, California, Mexico Northwest.

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.

Native; not considered invasive, though its sporadic seed production limits spread.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not available

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Psorothamnus polydenius	Nevada smokebush	Shrub	1.0	8-10		LM	N	DM	1	2	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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Expert comment

Author

(A.Gray) Rydb.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Psorothamnus emoryi - (A.Gray) Rydb.