Common Name: Common Dunebroom

General Information

Parryella filifolia is a much-branched shrub with pliable, whip-like stems; it grows around 1 metre tall. The plant spreads by means of suckers to form thickets[].
The plant is a traditionally important source of basketry material within its native range, where it is also used medicinally[]. It is also a usefull stabilizer in sandy soils.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

South-western N. America - Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico.

Habitat

Open, rolling, treeless areas; at elevations up to 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil. Prefers a sandy, alkaline soil[].Established plants are very drought resistant[].
The foliage is slightly aromatic[].
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[].

Edible Uses

The ashes of the plant are alkaline and have been added to the water when cooking blue corn (Zea mays var). The cooked corn is a deep blue-green[].

Medicinal

The seeds have been used in the treatment of toothaches[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant has a horizontally spreading and sprouting root system, forming thickets of growth, and is also wind resistant. It is useful for binding sandy soils and also for preventing wind erosion[].

Other Uses

The stems are pleasantly fragrant and have been used in making small baskets[]. An important basketry material in the plant's native range[].

The foliage is sometimes used locally as an insecticide[].

The twigs have been used to make brooms for sweeping away snow[].

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have ripened and dried the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].