Pediomelum cuspidatum
Encyclopedia
Pediomelum cuspidatum is a perennial
herb also known as the Buffalo Pea and the Tall-bread Scurf-pea. It is found on the black soil prairies in Texas
. It has an inflorescence
on stems 18-40 centimeters long arising from a subterranean stem and deep carrot-shaped root that is 4-15 cm long. The long petiole
d leaves are palmate
ly divided into 5 linear-elliptic leaflets that are 2-4 centimeters long. The flowers, borne in condensed spikes from the leaves, are light blue and pea-like.
.
The species has edible tuberous roots, although some sources describe it as 'bitter'.
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
herb also known as the Buffalo Pea and the Tall-bread Scurf-pea. It is found on the black soil prairies in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. It has an inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
on stems 18-40 centimeters long arising from a subterranean stem and deep carrot-shaped root that is 4-15 cm long. The long petiole
Petiole (botany)
In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...
d leaves are palmate
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
ly divided into 5 linear-elliptic leaflets that are 2-4 centimeters long. The flowers, borne in condensed spikes from the leaves, are light blue and pea-like.
Cultivation and uses
P. cuspidata emerges in late Spring, and sets few seeds, unlike its smaller, fecund cousin Pediomelum hypogaeumPediomelum hypogaeum
Pediomelum hypogaeum is a perennial herb also known as the Little Indian Breadroot. It is found on the black soil prairies in Texas.-Growth:...
.
The species has edible tuberous roots, although some sources describe it as 'bitter'.