Small Indian Breadroot

Psoralea hypogaea

No image available for this plant

Basic Information

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae

Genus: psoralea

Plant ID (slug): psoralea-hypogaea

Numeric ID: 25692

USDA Hardiness: 4-8

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Psoralea hypogaea is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. 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 - Great Plains, east to Nebraska and south to Oklahoma.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Root - raw or cooked[2, 62, 85, 161, 257]. Rich in starch[105]. The root can also be dried, ground into a powder and used in soups or with cereals for making bread etc[161]. The root is up to 60mm long and 15mm thick[60]. The root was an important food source fr the native North American Indians[274].

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].