Culen

Psoralea glandulosa

No image available for this plant

Basic Information

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae

Genus: psoralea

Plant ID (slug): psoralea-glandulosa

Numeric ID: 8787

USDA Hardiness: 8-11

Ratings

Edible Rating: ★★★☆☆

Medicinal Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Other Uses Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Physical Characteristics

Psoralea glandulosa is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower from May to September. 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 moist soil.

Distribution

S. America - Peru, Chile.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Shoots Edible Uses: Drink Tea The leaves are used as a tea substitute[2, 46, 61, 183]. A delicious carbonated beverage can be made from the boiled leaves[183]. The young shoots are used in making a refreshing cold drink[11]. It is very good[11].

Medicinal Uses

Anthelmintic Astringent Cathartic Digestive Emetic Febrifuge Skin Tonic Vermifuge Astringent, cathartic, digestive, febrifuge, skin, vermifuge[139, 200]. The leaves are anthelmintic and tonic[4]. The root is emetic[4].

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].