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Useful Temperate Plants

Psorothamnus scoparius

(A.Gray) Rydb.

Fabaceae

+ Synonyms

Dalea scoparia A.Gray

Parosela scoparia (A.Gray) A.Heller

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Psorothamnus scoparius is a sparsely leafy, deciduous shrub with many erect, pliant branches; it can grow up to 100cm tall[
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

Southern N. America - eastern Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, northern Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila)

Habitat

Locally abundant in dunes, sandy river beds; at elevations from 1,100 - 1,530 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
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitDeciduous Shrub
Height0.80 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

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

An infusion of the plant is used as an emetic and to treat 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.
].
An infusion of the plant is rubbed on spider bites[
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.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

A highly modified, xerophytic shrub that is adabped to a dune habitat in arid environments, where it arrests the drift of blown sand with its tangled branches and by forming hummocks[
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
].

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. 2024-03-28. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Psorothamnus+scoparius>

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