Psorothamnus fremontii
(Torr. ex A.Gray) Barneby
Fabaceae
Dalea fremontii A.Gray
Dalea johnsonii S.Watson
Parosela fremontii (A.Gray) Vail
Parosela johnsonii (S.Watson) Vail
Psorodendron fremontii (A.Gray) Rydb.
Psorodendron johnsonii (S.Watson) Rydb.
Common Name:
General Information
Psorothamnus fremontii is a low-growing, straggling to erect, irregularly branched deciduous shrub growing 10 - 30cm tall. The plant has occasional spiny stems[
1359- Title
- Daleae Imagines; An Illustrated Revision of ERRAZURIZIA Philippi, PSOROTHAMNUS Rydberg, MARINA Liebmann, and DALEA L
- Publication
- Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden Vol 27 pp 1 - 892, 1977
- Author
- Barneby R.C.
- Publisher
- The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
- 0-89327-001-6
- Description
- A very detailed treatment of the genera Errazurizia, Psorothamnus, Marina and Dalea
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1359- Title
- Daleae Imagines; An Illustrated Revision of ERRAZURIZIA Philippi, PSOROTHAMNUS Rydberg, MARINA Liebmann, and DALEA L
- Publication
- Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden Vol 27 pp 1 - 892, 1977
- Author
- Barneby R.C.
- Publisher
- The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
- 0-89327-001-6
- Description
- A very detailed treatment of the genera Errazurizia, Psorothamnus, Marina and Dalea
Range
Southwestern N. America - southern Nevada, southern Utah, southeast California, northern Arizona
Habitat
Dry places in desert scrub; at elevations from 750 - 1,350 metres[
71- Title
- A California Flora.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Munz P.A. & Keck D.D.
- Publisher
- University of California Press; Los Angeles
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent flora but no pictures. Not for the casual reader.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Deciduous Shrub |
| Height | 0.20 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
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
None known
Medicinal
A decoction of the root is used to treat internal haemorrhages and stomach problems[
257- Title
- Native American Ethnobotany
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moerman. D.
- Publisher
- Timber Press. Oregon.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-88192-453-9
- Description
- Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.
].
A decoction of the plant tops is used to treat internal haemorrhages[
257- Title
- Native American Ethnobotany
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moerman. D.
- Publisher
- Timber Press. Oregon.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-88192-453-9
- Description
- Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.
].
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.
].
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
