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Useful Temperate Plants

Peteria scoparia

A.Gray

Fabaceae


The record of edibility mentioned here quite possibly should belong to Peteria glandulosa and not this species[
1554
Title
The Genus Peteria (Leguminosae)
Publication
Rhodora 58, pp 344 - 353, 1956
Author
Porter C.L.
Publisher
 
Year
1956
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. The two species are, however, quite closely related and so this plant is probably worthy of examination for potential edibility[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Common Name: Camote del Monte

No Image.

General Information

Peteria scoparia is a much-branched, herbaceous perennial plant, probably growing from a tuberous rootstock; it can grow 50 - 100cm tall, most commonly around 60cm[
1554
Title
The Genus Peteria (Leguminosae)
Publication
Rhodora 58, pp 344 - 353, 1956
Author
Porter C.L.
Publisher
 
Year
1956
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The plant is possibly harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

1554
Title
The Genus Peteria (Leguminosae)
Publication
Rhodora 58, pp 344 - 353, 1956
Author
Porter C.L.
Publisher
 
Year
1956
ISBN
 
Description
 

Range

South-western N. America - Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, eastern Texas and northern Mexico (Chihuahua).

Habitat

Dry hills, mesas, and rolling; plains; at elevations up to 1,380 metres[
1554
Title
The Genus Peteria (Leguminosae)
Publication
Rhodora 58, pp 344 - 353, 1956
Author
Porter C.L.
Publisher
 
Year
1956
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.30 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Peteria scoparia is native to the semi-arid warm temperate to subtropical regions of southwestern N. America.
Requires a sunny position. Found in the wild on dry, gravelly and sandy soils, sometimes on limestone[
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.
,
1554
Title
The Genus Peteria (Leguminosae)
Publication
Rhodora 58, pp 344 - 353, 1956
Author
Porter C.L.
Publisher
 
Year
1956
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. 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[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Edible Uses

Root[
2
Title
Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Hedrick. U. P.
Publisher
Dover Publications
Year
1972
ISBN
0-486-20459-6
Description
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
,
105
Title
Tanaka's Cyclopedia of Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Tanaka. T. & Nakao S.
Publisher
Keigaku Publishing; Tokyo
Year
1976
ISBN
-
Description
The most comprehensive list of edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
,
106
Title
The Dictionary of Useful Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Coon. N.
Publisher
Rodale Press
Year
1975
ISBN
0-87857-090-x
Description
Interesting reading but short on detail.
,
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.
]. Rather small[
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.
].

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[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-10-12. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Peteria+scoparia>

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