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Psoralea argophylla - Pursh.

Common Name Silverleaf Scurf Pea
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards Although no specific mention of toxicity for this species has been found, at least some members of this genus contain furanocoumarins, these substances can cause photosensitivity in some people[65].
Habitats Dry prairies and plains; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[43 ].
Range Central N. America - Alberta to Manitoba, south through the central belt to New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Psoralea argophylla Silverleaf Scurf Pea


Larry Allain @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Psoralea argophylla Silverleaf Scurf Pea
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 2

 

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Summary

This name is a synonym of Pediomelum argophyllum. Pediomelum argophyllum is an erect, widely-branched, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a swollen rootstock; the stems are often zig-zag, and they can be 30 - 60cm tall[235 ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as food, medicine, and a source of materials. Within its native range, it can be used as a soil stabilizer.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Psoralea argophylla is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) 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

Pediomelum argophyllum. (Pursh.)J.Grimes.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked[105, 161]. The root can also be dried and ground into a powder then used in soups or with cereals for making bread etc[161].

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.
Febrifuge  Laxative

A tea made from finely ground leaves and stems is used as a febrifuge[213 ]. A decoction of the plant can be used as a wash for wounds[257 ]. A root infusion is used to treat chronic constipation[257 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry  Soil stabilization

Valuable under natural conditions as a soil stabilizer[200]. The tough green stems can be made into a basket[257].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Pediomelum argophyllum is native to the central belt of N. America, from southern Canada to Texas, and, as such, will be subject to a continental climate in much of its range with very hot summers and very cold winters. Species in this genus generally require well-drained soil in a sunny position, succeeding in most soils[1 , 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 ].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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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

, Silverleaf Indian breadroot.

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Saskatchewan (south), Alberta (south), Manitoba (south)), United States (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri (west), Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma (north), South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado (east), Montana (east), Wyoming (east), New Mexico (northeast))

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
Psoralea californicaCalifornia Indian breadrootPerennial0.2 0-0  LMHNDM202
Psoralea canescensBuckrootPerennial0.0 -  LMNDM212
Psoralea castoreaBeaver Indian breadrootPerennial0.1 0-0  LMNDM402
Psoralea corylifoliaBu Gu ZhiAnnual0.6 -  LMHNM14 
Psoralea cuspidataIndian Breadroot, Largebract Indian breadrootPerennial0.6 0-0  LMNDM202
Psoralea esculentaBreadroot, Large Indian breadrootPerennial0.3 4-8  LMHNDM513
Psoralea glandulosaCulenShrub3.0 8-11  LMHNM31 
Psoralea hypogaeaSmall Indian BreadrootPerennial0.1 4-8  LMNDM402
Psoralea lanceolataLemon scurfpeaPerennial0.6 0-0  LMNDM202
Psoralea macrostachyaLarge Leather RootPerennial1.0 0-0  LMHNM212
Psoralea mephitica Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM202
Psoralea orbicularisRoundleaf Leather RootPerennial0.1 5-9  LMHNDM112
Psoralea pedunculataSampson's SnakerootPerennial1.0 -  LMHNDM01 
Psoralea subacaulisWhiterim scurfpeaPerennial0.2 0-0  LMHNDM202
Psoralea tenuifloraSlender Scurfy Pea, Slimflower scurfpeaPerennial1.0 0-0  LMHNDM202

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Pursh.

Botanical References

43235

Links / References

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