Peteria scoparia
A. Gray
Rush Peteria
(c) wingedchimera, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by wingedchimera
(c) Jason M Crockwell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Jason M Crockwell
(c) Dylan Dorey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Root
The root is edible, though it is rather small.
Where to Find It
It is a temperate to tropical plant.
Central America, Mexico, North America, USA,
How to Identify
A compact perennial growing to 0.3 m tall. Hermaphroditic flowers attract insect pollination. Nitrogen-fixing plant suitable for light, medium, or heavy soils across mildly acidic to basic pH ranges. Tolerates semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil.
How to Grow
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy outdoors in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.
Propagation: Seed.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Other Uses
None known
Wikipedia
A compact perennial growing to 0.3 m tall. Hermaphroditic flowers attract insect pollination. Nitrogen-fixing plant suitable for light, medium, or heavy soils across mildly acidic to basic pH ranges. Tolerates semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil.
References (3)
- Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 472
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
