Yampa, Gardner's yampah, Common yampah

Perideridia gairdneri

Physical Characteristics

Perideridia gairdneri is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil.

Distribution

Western N. America - Saskatchewan to California.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Edible Uses: Condiment Root - raw or cooked[60, 61]. A pleasant sweet and nutty taste[2, 46, 95, 161], it can be eaten in quantity as a staple food[183]. It is best used when the plant is dormant[85]. The root can also be dried for later use or ground into a powder and used with cereals when making porridges, cakes etc[183]. The seed is used as a caraway-like seasoning, or can be parched and eaten in porridge or used as piñole[85, 177, 183, 257]. Young leaves - raw or cooked[257].

Medicinal Uses

Carminative Diuretic Laxative Ophthalmic Pectoral Salve The root is carminative, diuretic, mildly laxative and ophthalmic[94, 257]. An infusion of the roots has been taken to counter the cathartic and emetic effects of another infusion[257]. An infusion of the roots has been applied as a wash to sores and wounds and also used as a nasal wash to get rid of catarrh[257]. A poultice of the roots has been used to draw inflammation from swellings[257]. The juice of the slowly chewed root is said to be beneficial in the treatment of sore throats and coughs[213, 257].

Known Hazards

None known