Psoralea tenuiflora - Slender Scurfy Pea
| Family: | Leguminosae |
| Habit: | Perennial |
| Height: | 1 |
| Synonyms: | |
| Range: | N. America - Illinois to South Dakota, Texas, Colorado and Montana. |
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects
Soil Information
Slender Scurfy Pea will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Slender Scurfy Pea prefers either dry or moist soils
Ideal Planting Locations
Slender Scurfy Pea should not be planted in shady areas.Dry prairies, open woods and rocky banks[43].
Planting places suited to this plant described below.
- Grows within a woodland garden
- Grows on a sunny edge
- Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
Cultivation Details
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. Some botanists have now renamed this plant, moving it into a new genus as Psoralidium tenuiflorum[274]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1]. Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny position[200]. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance, they are best planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small[200]. 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[200].Edible Uses*
* See disclaimerEdible Rating: 2/5
Root - raw or cooked[105, 161]. It can also be dried, ground into a powder and used in soups or with cereals for making bread etc[61]. One report says that this species does not have a tuberous root[235].
- Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicinal Uses*
* See disclaimerMedicinal Rating: 0/5
None known
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[200]. Division in spring. With great care since the plant resents root disturbance. It is virtually impossible to divide this species successfully[200].Known Hazards
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[65]. The plant is said t be poisonous to livestock[274].Other Uses
The plant is a good soil stabilizer in its natural environment[200].- Soil stabilization - Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
Cultivars
no recorded cultivarsReferences
Gray's Manual of Botany.Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950
An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970
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