Buckroot

Psoralea canescens

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.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - Florida, north to Vancouver.

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].

Medicinal Uses

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].

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].