Fabaceae FAMILY

Hedysarum boreale

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

Hedysarum boreale mackenzii is widely regarded as toxic and warnings about confusing it with its edible cousin Hedysarum alpinum Richardson (Eskimo potato) abound. After exhaustive research, no chemical basis for toxicity could be found. In addition, a critical examination of the literature could find no credible evidence that the species is toxic in spite of these widespread rumours[ 1490 Title Is Hedysarum mackenziei (Wild Sweet Pea) Actually Toxic? Publication Ethnobotany Research & Applications 6:319-321 (2008) Author Treadwell E.M. & Clausen T.P. Website http://www.ethnobotanyjournal.org/vol6/i1547-3465-06-319.pdf Publisher Year 2008 ISBN Description ].

Botanical Description

Hedysarum boreale is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from deep taproots with several lateral roots which are sometimes rhizomatous. It produces several erect stems 30 - 60cm tall[ 277 Title Plants Database Publication Author Website http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet Publisher United States Department of Agriculture Year 0 ISBN Description An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is used in soil stabilization projects, especially along the sides of roads, and is suitable for used in ornamental landscaping, especially in drier areas[ 277 Title Plants Database Publication Author Website http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet Publisher United States Department of Agriculture Year 0 ISBN Description An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeN. America- Yukon & Northwest Territories, through Canada, south through western & central USA to Arizona & Texas; Asia - E. Siberia, Russian Far East

HabitatCalcareous gravels and rocky slopes[ 204 Title Flora of Canada Publication Author Livingstone. B. Publisher National Museums of Canada Year 1978 ISBN 0-660-00025-3 Description In 4 volumes, it does not deal with plant uses but gives descriptions and habitats. ]; at elevations from 1,200 - 2,400 metres[ 277 Title Plants Database Publication Author Website http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet Publisher United States Department of Agriculture Year 0 ISBN Description An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants. ]..