Kingdom Plantae Subfamily Faboideae Scientific name Pediomelum Rank Genus | Family Fabaceae Tribe Psoraleeae Higher classification Legumes Order Fabales | |
Lower classifications Little Indian Breadroot, Buffalo Pea, Pediomelum castoreum, Pediomelum californicum |
Pediomelum is a genus of legumes known as Indian breadroots. These are glandular perennial plants with palmately-arranged leaves. They have a main erect stem with inflorescences of blue or purple flowers and produce hairy legume pods containing beanlike seeds. Some species have woody roots while others have starchy tuber-like roots which can be eaten like tuber vegetables such as potatoes or made into flour. Indian breadroots are native to North America. Many species have synonymy with genus Psoralea.
Selected species:
Pediomelium tenuiflorum see under old name Psoralidium tenuiflorum
References
Pediomelum Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA