Fabaceae FAMILY

Pediomelum canescens

Edibility

1/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

All parts of the plant, especialy the root, are known to contain furanocoumarins, particularly psoralen and angelicin. These compounds can be found in low concentrations in many common foods including citrus fruirs, celery, parsley and parsnips. Ingestion or skin application of these compounds in larger quantities can cause skin photosensitization followed by hyperpigmentation[ 1572 Title Furocoumarins and Other Secondary Metabolites from Psoralea canescens Publication International Journal of Pharmacognosy, 1997 , Vol 35, 4 pp 232-236 Author Innocenti G.; Bourgaud F.; Piovan A. & Favretto D. Publisher Year 1997 ISBN 0925-1618 Description ].

Botanical Description

Pediomelum canescens is a much-branched, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a spindle-shaped tuberous rootstock; it can grow 30 - 100cm tall[ 72 Title Manual of the Southeastern Flora. Publication Author Small J.K. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher University of N. Carolina Press. Year 1933 ISBN Description Getting rather dated now, an immense work covering the flora of Southeastern N. America. No pictures, it is not for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is also of value within its native habitat as a soil stabilizer.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSoutheastern N. America - Virginia, south to Alabama and Florida

HabitatSandy woods[ 43 Title Gray's Manual of Botany.Eighth Edition Publication Author Fernald. M. L. Publisher American Book Co.; New York Year 1950 ISBN 0442222505 Description A bit dated but a good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America. ]. Dry pineland and oak ridges on the coastal plain[ 72 Title Manual of the Southeastern Flora. Publication Author Small J.K. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher University of N. Carolina Press. Year 1933 ISBN Description Getting rather dated now, an immense work covering the flora of Southeastern N. America. No pictures, it is not for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ].