Psoralea esculenta

Psoralea esculenta, also known as Prairie Turnip, Tipsin, or Indian Breadroot, is a perennial herb native to the prairies of central North America. The plant is a member of the Fabaceae family and is known for its edible tuberous root.

Pronunciation

Psoralea esculenta: /sɔːˈreɪliə ˌɛskjʊˈlɛntə/

Etymology

The genus name 'Psoralea' is derived from the Greek word 'psoraleos', meaning 'scaly', referring to the appearance of the seeds. The species name 'esculenta' is Latin for 'edible', referring to the plant's edible root.

Description

Psoralea esculenta is a perennial herb that grows up to 1 meter tall. The plant has a deep, tuberous root that is edible and was a staple food for many Native American tribes. The leaves are pinnately compound, and the flowers are blue to purple and arranged in a spike-like inflorescence.

Cultivation and Uses

Psoralea esculenta is cultivated for its edible root, which can be eaten raw or cooked. The root has a sweet, nutty flavor and was traditionally used by Native American tribes as a food source. Today, it is still used in some traditional dishes and is also used in herbal medicine.

Related Terms

Fabaceae: The plant family to which Psoralea esculenta belongs.
Perennial plant: A type of plant that lives for more than two years.
Tuber: The thickened part of an underground stem of a plant, such as the root of Psoralea esculenta.
Inflorescence: The arrangement of flowers on a plant.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Psoralea esculenta
Wikipedia's article - Psoralea esculenta

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Psoralea esculenta