Pediomelum hypogaeum
Pediomelum hypogaeum (also known as Psoralea hypogaea) is a perennial herb also known as the little Indian breadroot or subterranean Indian breadroot. It is found on the black soil prairies in Texas.
| Pediomelum hypogaeum | |
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| Species: | P. hypogaeum |
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| Pediomelum hypogaeum | |
Growth
It has an inflorescence on stems 5-6 centimeters long, separate from the leaves, arising from a subterranean stem and deep carrot-shaped root that is 3–7 cm long. The long petioled leaves are palmately divided into 5 linear-elliptic leaflets that are 3-5 centimeters long. The flowers, borne in condensed spikes separate from the leaves, are purple and pea-like, and have a surprisingly strong scent, reminiscent of lemon furniture polish. The species has edible tuberous roots, high in protein.
References
- Delena Tull (1987), Edible and Useful Plants of Texas and the Southwest, pgs 86-87
External links
- United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. PLANTS Profile: Pediomelum hypogaeum...subterranean Indian breadroot
- Texas A&M Bioinformatics Working Group. Texas Endemics: Distribution of Pediomelum hypogaeum var. scaposum
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