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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Psoralea canescens is a PERENNIAL. 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

Pediomelum canescens. (Michx.)Rydb.

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked[2, 105, 161]. The root can also be dried and ground into a powder then used in soups or mixed 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.
Analgesic Miscellany

A poultice of the wet, warmed root has been used as an analgesic dressing on painful areas of the body[257]. An infusion of the roots has been used as a herbal steam in the treatment of runny noses, stuffy heads, coughs and sore throats[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Miscellany Soil stabilization

Valuable under natural conditions as a soil stabilizer[200].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information for this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. 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].

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

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Alabama (southwest), Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina (south), Virginia (southeast))

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

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	0-0	LMH	N	DM	2	1	2
Psoralea californica	California Indian breadroot	Perennial	0.2	0-0	LMH	N	DM	2	0	2
Psoralea castorea	Beaver Indian breadroot	Perennial	0.1	0-0	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.

Psoralea canescens - Michx.