Rush peteria (Peteria scoparia)

Rush peteria (Peteria scoparia)
(c) Jason M Crockwell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Jason M Crockwell

At a glance

Lifecycle
Perennial (hardy)
Exposure
Full sun

Cultivation

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 -

Edible uses

Root.

Habitat

Dry hills at elevations of 1200 - 1650 metres.

Native range

South-western N. America - western Texas to New Mexico and northern Mexico.