Hoffmannseggia glauca
(Ortega) Eifert
Fabaceae
Caesalpinia chicamana Killip & J.F.Macbr.
Caesalpinia falcaria (Cav.) Fisher
Caesalpinia glauca (Ortega) Kuntze
Hoffmannseggia densiflora A.Gray
Hoffmannseggia densiflora Benth.
Hoffmannseggia falcaria Cav.
Hoffmannseggia stricta Benth.
Larrea densiflora (A.Gray) Britton & Rose
Larrea densiflora (Benth.) Britton
Larrea glauca Ortega
Common Name: Indian Rush-Pea
General Information
Hoffmannseggia glauca is a perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock with long, underground stems which bear small dark blackish-brown, spheroid tubers ('hog potatoes') up to Icm in diameter.The aerial stems are usually unbranched, up to 40cm tall[
1493- Title
- The Genus Hoffmannseggia Cav. (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae), new for the Mediterranean Flora
- Publication
- Israel Journal of Plant Sciences, Volume 47, 1999 - Issue 4
- Author
- Camuñas E. & Crespo M.B.
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1080/07929978.1999.10676785
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is said to have good ornamental value[
330- Title
- ChileFlora
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.chileflora.com/index.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Not realy a flora, but a lovely site with lots of helpful information for the gardener and an abundance of excellent photos covering over 2,000 species of Chilean plants.
].
This species can spread aggressively, at least in part by means of its underground stems and tubers. It has spread to the Mediterranean and is considered to be an aggressive weed of grassland in its native range[
1493- Title
- The Genus Hoffmannseggia Cav. (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae), new for the Mediterranean Flora
- Publication
- Israel Journal of Plant Sciences, Volume 47, 1999 - Issue 4
- Author
- Camuñas E. & Crespo M.B.
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1080/07929978.1999.10676785
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
71- Title
- A California Flora.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Munz P.A. & Keck D.D.
- Publisher
- University of California Press; Los Angeles
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent flora but no pictures. Not for the casual reader.
,
274- Title
- Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
- Website
- http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
- Publisher
- Botanical Research Institute, Texas.
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
- 1-889878-01-4
- Description
- An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.
,
1494- Title
- Sinopsis de Caesalpinia y Hoffmannseggia (Leguminosae - Caesalpinioideae) de Sudamérica
- Publication
- Darwinia 34(1-4); 299-348, 1996
- Author
- Ulibarri E.A.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 0011-6793
- Description
-
Range
South-western N. America - California to Kansas south through Arizona and Texas to southern Mexico; S. America - Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina
Habitat
Heavy, alkaline soils; at elevations below 900 metres[
71- Title
- A California Flora.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Munz P.A. & Keck D.D.
- Publisher
- University of California Press; Los Angeles
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent flora but no pictures. Not for the casual reader.
]. Roadsides and disturbed areas in Texas[
274- Title
- Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
- Website
- http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
- Publisher
- Botanical Research Institute, Texas.
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
- 1-889878-01-4
- Description
- An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.
]. Subarid areas and dry mountains, growing on dry, stony, or saline soils; at elevations from sea level to 3,400 metres[
1493- Title
- The Genus Hoffmannseggia Cav. (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae), new for the Mediterranean Flora
- Publication
- Israel Journal of Plant Sciences, Volume 47, 1999 - Issue 4
- Author
- Camuñas E. & Crespo M.B.
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1080/07929978.1999.10676785
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Properties
| Weed Potential | Yes |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 0.30 m |
| Pollinators | Bees, Lepidoptera, Diptera |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Hoffmannseggia glauca is native to mainly sub-arid climates and is not very cold-hardy, being able to tolerate short-lived temperatures falling to around -8°c when fully dormant[
330- Title
- ChileFlora
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.chileflora.com/index.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Not realy a flora, but a lovely site with lots of helpful information for the gardener and an abundance of excellent photos covering over 2,000 species of Chilean plants.
]. It can tolerate occasional snow cover, for up to 2 weeks a year[
330- Title
- ChileFlora
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.chileflora.com/index.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Not realy a flora, but a lovely site with lots of helpful information for the gardener and an abundance of excellent photos covering over 2,000 species of Chilean plants.
].
The plant is likely to require a sunny position and to succeed in alkaline and heavy soils[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. Plants are known to tolerate at least some soil salinity. Established plants are very drought tolerant[
1493- Title
- The Genus Hoffmannseggia Cav. (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae), new for the Mediterranean Flora
- Publication
- Israel Journal of Plant Sciences, Volume 47, 1999 - Issue 4
- Author
- Camuñas E. & Crespo M.B.
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1080/07929978.1999.10676785
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
Edible Uses
Tuber - roasted[
61- Title
- A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Usher. G.
- Publisher
- Constable
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0094579202
- Description
- Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
161- Title
- Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Yanovsky. E.
- Publisher
- U.S. Depf of Agriculture.
- Year
-
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A comprehensive but very terse guide. Not for the casual reader.
,
177- Title
- Plants for Human Consumption.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kunkel. G.
- Publisher
- Koeltz Scientific Books
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 3874292169
- Description
- An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
,
274- Title
- Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
- Website
- http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
- Publisher
- Botanical Research Institute, Texas.
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
- 1-889878-01-4
- Description
- An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.
,
1493- Title
- The Genus Hoffmannseggia Cav. (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae), new for the Mediterranean Flora
- Publication
- Israel Journal of Plant Sciences, Volume 47, 1999 - Issue 4
- Author
- Camuñas E. & Crespo M.B.
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1080/07929978.1999.10676785
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]. The roasted tubers were relished by the native N. Americans[
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
