Small Indian Breadroot (Psoralea hypogaea)
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Perennial (hardy)
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Frost limit
- −34.4 °C
Cultivation
Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance, they are best planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small. Some botanists have reclassified the plant and now call it Pediomelum hypogaeum. 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 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.
Edible uses
Root - raw or cooked.
Material uses
The plant is a good soil stabilizer in its natural environment.
Habitat
Rocky or sandy prairies, bluffs and stream valleys.
Native range
Western N. America - Great Plains, east to Nebraska and south to Oklahoma.