Herb: Bladder Pod


Latin name: Lesquerella fendleri


Family: Cruciferae



Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
40 cm
(1 foot)

Habitat of Bladder Pod:

Roadsides in open, sandy or rocky often calcareous soils.

Other uses of the herb:

The seed yields up to 28% oil and 22% protein. Average yields of 1.1 tonnes per hectare have been postulated and in small-scale experiments 1.6 tonnes has been attained. The oil has possibilities in the manufacture of grease thickeners due to the hydroxy-acid content. Major amounts of hydroxy-acids occur in the obscure seed oils, among them Lesquerella, but few of them have been subjected to development. According to Osman and Ahmad (1981), the only hydroxylated vegetable oil commercially available is castor oil. Other potential sources include Castalis, Coriaria, Dimorphotheca, Hiptage, and Osteospermum.

Propagation of Bladder Pod:

Seed - we have no information for Britain, but in its native range the plant germinates in the autumn. Thus direct sowings in situ could be tried both in the autumn and in the spring in Britain. Seeds can germinate after being dormant up to 5 years. Under normal situations, light is required for germination. Optimum germination temperature is 20°C.

Cultivation of the herb:

Roadsides in open, sandy or rocky often calcareous soils.

Medicinal use of Bladder Pod:

None known

Known hazards of Lesquerella fendleri:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.