Common Name:

General Information

Psorothamnus scoparius is a sparsely leafy, deciduous shrub with many erect, pliant branches; it can grow up to 100cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.80 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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

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

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[].

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[].