California Indian breadroot

Psoralea californica

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Basic Information

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae

Genus: psoralea

Plant ID (slug): psoralea-californica

Numeric ID: 25687

USDA Hardiness: Coming soon

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Psoralea californica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). 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.

Distribution

South-western N. America.

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 with cereals for making bread etc[161].

Medicinal Uses

None known

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].