Beaver Indian breadroot

Psoralea castorea

Physical Characteristics

Psoralea castorea is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in). 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) 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

Western N. America.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Root - raw or cooked[2, 46, 105, 161]. A good size[85]. 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 Beaver Dam breadroot are edible. All other plant parts are inedible. Like other breadroots, it stores energy as underground tuberous roots. While the Plains species (P. esculentum) was widely used by Native Americans, Beaver Dam breadroot and other southwestern species were more limited in use due to their relative scarcity [2-3]. Food Potential: Roots are starchy and carbohydrate-rich, providing a nutritious wild food when large enough to be worth harvesting. They are generally off-white with brown skins, and most of the interior is chewable aside from the harder cores. The skins are bitter and best peeled off before eating. Cooking greatly improves the flavor: Boiling draws out bitterness, softens the root, and highlights its starchy taste. Baking or adding to soups makes them a useful staple-style food. Drying and grinding into flour produces a fine-quality meal. Dried root shavings can also be rehydrated or fried in oil for a snack [2-3]. Quality varies between individual plants—some roots are small and not worth the effort, while others are substantial. Strong, vigorous above-ground growth often signals more robust root systems below [2-3].

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].