Lemon scurfpea

Psoralea lanceolata

Physical Characteristics

Psoralea lanceolata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). 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 - Iowa to North Dakota, Saskatchewan, Kansas, Arizona and British Columbia.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Root - raw or cooked[105, 161]. The root can also be dried, ground into a powder and used in soups or with cereals for making bread etc[161]. One report says that the root of this species is not tuberous[235].

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].