We are following the treatment in the USDA 'Plants Database' (https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PECA25 accessed 02/10/2018). Some other treatments retain this species in Psoralea as Psoralea canescens Michx.

Common Name: Buckroot

General Information

Pediomelum canescens is a much-branched, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a spindle-shaped tuberous rootstock; it can grow 30 - 100cm tall[].
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.

Known 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[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeastern N. America - Virginia, south to Alabama and Florida

Habitat

Sandy woods[]. Dry pineland and oak ridges on the coastal plain[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally require a well-drained soil in a sunny position, succeeding in most soils[, ].
Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance, they are best planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small[].
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

Root - raw or cooked[, , ]. The root can also be dried and ground into a powder then used in soups or mixed with cereals for making bread etc[].
Some caution should be employed if eating this root - see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal

A poultice of the wet, warmed root has been used as an analgesic dressing on painful areas of the body[].
An infusion of the roots has been used as a herbal steam in the treatment of runny noses, stuffy heads, coughs and sore throats[].

The plant is a potential source of furanocoumarins, particularly psoralen and angelicin. These compounds are of interest to the pharmaceutical industry, being known to cause skin photosensitization followed by hyperpigmentation. These activities can be used cosmetically in tanning products and also in the treatment of skin conditions such as vitiligo and diseases such as psoriasis and eczema[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Valuable under natural conditions as a soil stabilizer[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water, ensuring the seed has swollen before sowing.
Sowing outdoors in situ is probably the safest way to start this plant off. If doing this, and seed stocks are in short supply, sow the seed in early spring around 5 - 10mm deep and place a moderate sized clear glass or plastic jar over the seed to help protect it from predation. Remove the jar once the plant is growing well.
Alternatively, sow the soaked seed 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[].