Psoralea lanceolata

Pursh

Lemon Scurfpea, Wild Lemonweed

FabaceaeRootsPotential hazards — see below

iNaturalist · cc-by-sa
(c) Charles Stirton, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Charles Stirton

What to Eat

Edible parts: Root

The root can be eaten raw or cooked, or dried and ground into a powder for use in soups or mixed with cereals to make bread. One report notes that the root of this species is not tuberous.

Known Hazards

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant.

Canada, North America, USA,

Countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, St Vincent

How to Identify

A bean family herb. It grows 60 cm tall. The leaves have 3 leaflets. Possibly now Psoralidium lanceolatum (Pursh) Rydb.;

How to Grow

We have very little information for this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil. Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny position. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance, they are best planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small. 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: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water, then sow in early to mid spring in a greenhouse. Sow directly into individual pots, or pot up seedlings as soon as possible to avoid root disturbance, growing them on in pots until planting out in their final positions. Transplanting this species almost always causes fatal root damage. Division can be attempted in spring with great care, but the plant strongly resents root disturbance and successful division is virtually impossible.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Other Uses

The plant is a good soil stabilizer in its natural environment. It is also a nitrogen fixer.

Wikipedia

A perennial growing to 60cm, hermaphroditic and insect-pollinated. Establishes well in light sandy to medium loamy, well-drained soils with mildly acid to basic pH. Requires full sun and adapts to dry or moist soil conditions. Nitrogen-fixing species.

Names & Synonyms

Psoralidium lanceolatum (Pursh) Rydb.and several others

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)
Fl. Amer. sept. 2:475. 1813-1814
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/