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Orogenia linearifolia - Watson.

Common Name Indian Potato, Great Basin Indian potato
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Open mountain sides and ridges, often in sandy or gravelly soils[85], and often near vernal snow banks where it blooms as soon as the snow melts[60].
Range Western N. America - Montana to W. Colorado and west to Utah and Washington.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Orogenia linearifolia Indian Potato, Great Basin Indian potato


www.nps.gov
Orogenia linearifolia Indian Potato, Great Basin Indian potato
www.flickr.com/photos/bryanto

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Orogenia linearifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
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 moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked[212]. The raw root tastes like potatoes[212]. A pleasant crisp taste, though the outer skin has a slightly bitter taste[85]. The root is available at almost any time of the year, its only drawback is that it is a bit small and fiddly to harvest in quantity[85]. It may respond to cultivation.

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

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. From its native habitat it can be assumed that the plant requires a sunny position in a moist but well drained light to medium soil[K].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - no information has been found. It is probably best to sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in late spring or early summer. Sow in pots in a cold frame and when they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division should be possible at any time the plant is dormant, probably from mid summer to late winter.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

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

Watson.

Botanical References

60

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Feb 11 2014 12:00AM

I've eaten these often, easiest to harvest in spring when flowering. I found it most often in open areas amongst sage brush in mildly alkaline soils. Roasted on embers the roots have a sweet earthy flavor similar to Jerusalem artichoke, really quite good. in the same areas I also often found wild carrots & onions

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Subject : Orogenia linearifolia  
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