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Common Name: Yampa

General Information

Perideridia gairdneri is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.20 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western N. America - Saskatchewan to California.

Habitat

Woodland, dry and wet meadows and mountains[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on the cultivation needs of this plant and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. Judging by its native range it is likely to succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. From its native habitat it is assumed that the plant is fairly tolerant of soil conditions and of sun or shade.
Yampa is a marvellous food plant that has been widely used as a staple wild food by native N. American Indians. It is just asking for cultivation in order to improve the root size[].

Edible Uses

Root - raw or cooked[, ]. A pleasant sweet and nutty taste[, , , ], it can be eaten in quantity as a staple food[]. It is best used when the plant is dormant[]. The root can also be dried for later use or ground into a powder and used with cereals when making porridges, cakes etc[].
The seed is used as a caraway-like seasoning, or can be parched and eaten in porridge or used as piñole[, , , ].
Young leaves - raw or cooked[].

Medicinal

The root is carminative, diuretic, mildly laxative and ophthalmic[, ]. An infusion of the roots has been taken to counter the cathartic and emetic effects of another infusion[]. An infusion of the roots has been applied as a wash to sores and wounds and also used as a nasal wash to get rid of catarrh[]. A poultice of the roots has been used to draw inflammation from swellings[].
The juice of the slowly chewed root is said to be beneficial in the treatment of sore throats and coughs[, ].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Alternatively, sow it in early spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter, planting out in late spring of the following year.
Division may be possible in spring or autumn.