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Summary

Silverleaf breadroot is one of several edible Pediomelum species with starchy, carbohydrate-rich roots. While not abundant enough to rely on heavily, the roots are of good quality when peeled and cooked, and they can be eaten fresh, dried, ground into flour, or even fried for a snack. A useful but scarce wild food. 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

Psoralea argophylla is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
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), 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]. Edible Uses & Caution: Only the roots of silverleaf breadroot and related species are edible. All other parts are inedible. Breadroots were historically important food plants, particularly Indian breadroot (P. esculentum) of the Great Plains, though that species is largely absent from the Southwest. Southwestern species, including silverleaf breadroot, were used less frequently due to their scarcity [2-3]. Food Potential: The roots of silverleaf breadroot are rich in carbohydrates and of good quality when found in sufficient size. They are typically off-white with brown skins, and most of the root is reasonably chewable except for the cores. The skins are bitter, so peeling is recommended. Boiling improves the flavor by drawing out bitterness and softening the texture, producing a pleasant, starchy taste. Roots can also be baked, added to soups, or dried and ground into flour. Dried shavings reconstitute well in water and can even be fried for a nutritious snack [2-3]. Quality and yield vary—some plants produce substantial roots worth the effort of harvesting, while others offer little. Vigorous plant growth is often a sign of more robust roots below ground [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.
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. The growing plant utilizes some of this nitrogen, but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200 ]. Habitat & Range: Silverleaf breadroot occurs mainly on the Great Plains and extends into parts of the Southwest, though it is too uncommon to be considered a staple food. Plants grow in open, dry habitats, where their storage roots help them survive harsh conditions. USDA Hardiness Zone: 4–8. Weed Potential: Low – silverleaf breadroot is native, non-invasive, and not considered a weedy threat.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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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. Silverleaf Breadroot (Pediomelum argophyllum (Pursh) J. W. Grimes = Psoralea argophylla Pursh)

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.

Low – silverleaf breadroot is native, non-invasive, and not considered a weedy threat.

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 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 castorea	Beaver Indian breadroot	Perennial	0.1	4-8	LM	N	DM	4	0	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 argophylla - Pursh.