Hoita macrostachya aka Leatherroot

Hoita macrostachya is a perennial, a plant that lives for years. It belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. Its native range spans California and the northwest of Mexico. One common name is large leather root. Plants For A Future uses the name Psoralea macrostachya. It lists Hoita macrostachya as another name for that plant. It grows to about 3.3 feet [1 metre]. It grows by streams and in salt marshes. Kew also places it in desert or dry shrubland regions.

The plant blooms from July to August. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects move pollen from one flower to the next. Bacteria form small lumps, called nodules, on its roots. They fix nitrogen, which the plant uses in part for growth. Plants nearby may gain some of that nitrogen too. This trait adds to its worth in planted beds. The accounts give no facts about the shape of its leaves. They do not state flower colour or fruit form either.

In gardens, give this plant sun and moist soil. PFAF says it will not grow in shade. It accepts sand, loam, and clay that drain well. Soil can range from slightly acid to slightly alkaline. The account says it can cope with salty soil. It can grow in beds with normal garden soil. The sources give no hardiness zone for this plant. Its region's broad climate does not replace these stated garden needs.

Take care of the roots when moving plants grown in place. Reports differ on how well the plant copes with moves. Some warn that root damage can kill it. PFAF also reports success with moves of three-year-old plants. To grow it from seed, first soak the seeds. Use warm water and leave them for 24 hours. Sow in a greenhouse in early to mid-spring. Use a pot for each to help spare roots later. The source warns that splitting plants may be hard.

PFAF lists raw, cooked, and dried roots as food. The roots hold starch and can serve as winter stores. Yet the plant contains compounds called furanocoumarins. These can make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Reports of food use do not prove safety for everyone. Past uses include salves to treat sores and ulcers. The stem bark yields fine, strong fibre for sewing thread. People have used root fibre for ropes and bags. Roots also yield yellow dye and a scent that lasts.