Psorothamnus polydenius
(Torr. ex S.Watson) Rydb.
Fabaceae
Dalea nummularia M.E.Jones
Dalea polydenia Torr. ex S.Watson
Parosela polydenia (Torr. ex S.Watson) A.Heller
Psorothamnus subnudus (S.Watson) Rydb.
Common Name:
General Information
Psorothamnus polydenius is a much-branched, spiny deciduous shrub usually growing 40 - 100cm tall, occasionally to 150cm. Older stems are leafless[
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
].
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 - California, Nevada, Utah
Habitat
Sandy and gravelly, often alkaline flats and low hills, commonly associated with Chenopods, sometimes on dunes; at elevations from 880 - 2,250 metres[
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 often forms colonies but is seldom crowded into thickets[
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
].
Properties
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
The plant is antirheumatic, antiseptic, astringent, diuretic. A decoction of the stems and plant tops is used to treat a variety of complaints including muscular pain, stomach aches, coughs, colds and influenza, TB, kidney problems, venereal diseases[
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.
]. The stem is chewed as a treatment for toothaches and facial neuralgia[
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 strong infusion of the plant isused to treat diarrhoea[
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.
].
The dried or crushed, fresh stems are applied to sores[
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 stems is used as a wash to treat smallpox, measles etc[
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 hot decoction of the plant is used as a wash to relieve rheumatism[
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.
].
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Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
