Fabaceae FAMILY

Hoita macrostachya

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

Although no specific mention of toxicity for this species has been found, at least some members of this genus are known to contain furanocoumarins, particularly psoralen and angelicin. These compounds can be found in low concentrations in many common foods including citrus fruirs, celery, parsley and parsnips. Ingestion or skin application of these compounds in larger quantities can cause skin photosensitization followed by hyperpigmentation[ 65 Title A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Publication Author Frohne. D. and Pfänder. J. Publisher Wolfe Year 1984 ISBN 0723408394 Description Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far. , 1572 Title Furocoumarins and Other Secondary Metabolites from Psoralea canescens Publication International Journal of Pharmacognosy, 1997 , Vol 35, 4 pp 232-236 Author Innocenti G.; Bourgaud F.; Piovan A. & Favretto D. Publisher Year 1997 ISBN 0925-1618 Description ].

Botanical Description

Hoita macrostachya is a herbaceous perennial plant with stems that become somewhat woody; it can grow 50 - 200cm tall. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSouth-western N. America - California, Baja Norte

HabitatMoist places[ 71 Title A California Flora. Publication Author Munz P.A. & Keck D.D. Publisher University of California Press; Los Angeles Year 1959 ISBN - Description An excellent flora but no pictures. Not for the casual reader. ], especially along the borders of streams[ 95 Title Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Publication Author Saunders. C. F. Publisher Dover Publications Year 1976 ISBN 0-486-23310-3 Description Useful wild plants of America. A pocket guide. ] and salt marshes[ 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. ].