Herb latin name: Psoralea mephitica


Family: Leguminosae



Edible parts of Psoralea mephitica:

Root - raw or cooked. It can also be dried, ground into a powder and used in soups or with cereals for making bread etc.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial

Habitat of the herb:

900 - 1600 metres in Arizona.

Other uses of Psoralea mephitica:

The plant is a good soil stabilizer in its natural environment. A yellow dye is obtained from the plant. The part of the plant that is used is not specified.

Propagation of the herb:

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early to mid spring in a greenhouse. Either sow the seed in individual pots or pot up the young seedlings as soon as possible in order to avoid root disturbance. Grow them on in the pots until planting out in their final positions. It is usually impossible to transplant this species without fatal damage to the root. Division in spring. With great care since the plant resents root disturbance. It is virtually impossible to divide this species successfully.

Cultivation of Psoralea mephitica:

900 - 1600 metres in Arizona.

Medicinal use of the herb:

None known

Known hazards of Psoralea mephitica:

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.

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.