Hedysarum boreale is a species of flowering plant in the Fabaceae, or legume family, and is known by the common names Utah sweetvetch,[1]boreal sweet-vetch,[2]northern sweetvetch,[3] and plains sweet-broom.[4] It is native to North America, where it is widespread in northern and western regions of Canada and the United States. The ssp. mackenzii can even be found in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.[5]
This species is quite variable in morphology. There are several ecotypes.[3] In general, it is a perennial herb growing from a deep taproot with a woody stem base.[1] It has nitrogen-fixing root nodules.[3] The plant grows 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 m) tall. The hairless leaves are compound, divided into a number of leaflets.[1][6] The inflorescence is a raceme of white, pink, or purple flowers. The fruit is a legume pod containing kidney-shaped seeds.[1]Honeybees pollinate the flowers.[7]
This plant grows on well-drained loams as well as soils with clay and sand. It can grow on soils with moderate levels of salinity, and can tolerate a range of soil pH. In the wild it generally grows at elevation, between 4,000 and 8,000 feet (1,200 and 2,400 m).[1]
This plant is sometimes added to seed mixes used for rangeland improvement. Its nitrogen-fixing ability improves soil quality. The plant is palatable to livestock and wild animals. It is an important component of Sage Grouse habitat.[1] The cultivar 'Timp' is an improved plant line selected for its adaptability and seed production qualities.[1] The plant can be used in xeriscaping and as a seeded roadside flower. It is good for stabilizing soil.[7]
The wild plant was considered poisonous by some Native American groups, but it was utilized as a food source, particularly the roots,[8] which taste like licorice.[6]
^ abcJohnson, D. A., et al. (1989). Morphological and physiological variation among ecotypes of sweetvetch (Hedysarum boreale Nutt.). Journal of Range Management 42(6) 496–501.
^Plains Sweet-broom (Hedysarum boreale). USGS Native Wildflowers of the North Dakota Grasslands.
^Gillett, J. M., et al. (1999 onwards). Hedysarum boreale ssp. mackenziei. Fabaceae of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago: Descriptions, Illustrations, Identification, and Information Retrieval. Version: 15 November 2000.
^ abTaylor, Ronald J. (1994) [1992]. Sagebrush Country: A Wildflower Sanctuary (rev. ed.). Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Pub. Co. p. 106. ISBN0-87842-280-3. OCLC 25708726.
^Hedysarum boreale. University of Michigan Ethnobotany.
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USDA Plants Profile
April 11, 2024
hedysarum, boreale, species, flowering, plant, fabaceae, legume, family, known, common, names, utah, sweetvetch, boreal, sweet, vetch, northern, sweetvetch, plains, sweet, broom, native, north, america, where, widespread, northern, western, regions, canada, un. Hedysarum boreale is a species of flowering plant in the Fabaceae or legume family and is known by the common names Utah sweetvetch 1 boreal sweet vetch 2 northern sweetvetch 3 and plains sweet broom 4 It is native to North America where it is widespread in northern and western regions of Canada and the United States The ssp mackenzii can even be found in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago 5 Hedysarum borealeHedysarum boreale in Jasper National Park CanadaConservation statusSecure NatureServe Scientific classificationKingdom PlantaeClade TracheophytesClade AngiospermsClade EudicotsClade RosidsOrder FabalesFamily FabaceaeSubfamily FaboideaeGenus HedysarumSpecies H borealeBinomial nameHedysarum borealeNutt This species is quite variable in morphology There are several ecotypes 3 In general it is a perennial herb growing from a deep taproot with a woody stem base 1 It has nitrogen fixing root nodules 3 The plant grows 1 to 2 feet 0 3 to 0 6 m tall The hairless leaves are compound divided into a number of leaflets 1 6 The inflorescence is a raceme of white pink or purple flowers The fruit is a legume pod containing kidney shaped seeds 1 Honeybees pollinate the flowers 7 This plant grows on well drained loams as well as soils with clay and sand It can grow on soils with moderate levels of salinity and can tolerate a range of soil pH In the wild it generally grows at elevation between 4 000 and 8 000 feet 1 200 and 2 400 m 1 This plant is sometimes added to seed mixes used for rangeland improvement Its nitrogen fixing ability improves soil quality The plant is palatable to livestock and wild animals It is an important component of Sage Grouse habitat 1 The cultivar Timp is an improved plant line selected for its adaptability and seed production qualities 1 The plant can be used in xeriscaping and as a seeded roadside flower It is good for stabilizing soil 7 The wild plant was considered poisonous by some Native American groups but it was utilized as a food source particularly the roots 8 which taste like licorice 6 References edit a b c d e f g Hedysarum boreale USDA NRCS Plant Fact Sheet Hedysarum boreale NatureServe a b c Johnson D A et al 1989 Morphological and physiological variation among ecotypes of sweetvetch Hedysarum boreale Nutt Journal of Range Management 42 6 496 501 Plains Sweet broom Hedysarum boreale USGS Native Wildflowers of the North Dakota Grasslands Gillett J M et al 1999 onwards Hedysarum boreale ssp mackenziei Fabaceae of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago Descriptions Illustrations Identification and Information Retrieval Version 15 November 2000 a b Taylor Ronald J 1994 1992 Sagebrush Country A Wildflower Sanctuary rev ed Missoula MT Mountain Press Pub Co p 106 ISBN 0 87842 280 3 OCLC 25708726 a b Hedysarum boreale USDA NRCS Plant Guide Hedysarum boreale University of Michigan Ethnobotany External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hedysarum boreale USDA Plants Profile Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Hedysarum boreale amp oldid 1163709994, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
