Common Name: Camote del Monte

General Information

Peteria glandulosa is a sprawling, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a thick, tuberous rootstock; the stems can be 10 - 30cm long[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern N. America - northernl to central Mexico (Nuevo Leon south to Puebla)

Habitat

Dry, often calcareous, hills and slopes[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Peteria glandulosa is native to the semi-arid subtropical to tropical regions of northern and central Mexico,
Requires a sunny position. Found in the wild on dry, gravelly and sandy soils, sometimes on limestone[, ]. soils
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[, ]. Rather small[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

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[].