Pediomelum mephiticum
Pediomelum mephiticum
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
Pediomelum mephiticum is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a spindle-shaped tuberous root around 10cm long and 1cm thick. The plant produces a single, very short stem with a cluster of leaves around the base. This is one of several related species that provide an edible, nutritious root and, as such, was commonly harvested for food by the native N. Americans. It is still often used as a wild food.