Perideridia gairdneri aka False Caraway

Perideridia gairdneri belongs to the carrot family, Apiaceae. It is a perennial, which means it lives for years. People call it yampah, epos, and edible-rooted caraway. Kew gives its native range as southern Oregon into California. Plants For A Future gives a much wider North American range. It lists western Canada and several states in the western United States. The sources thus differ on where its native range ends. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

The plant grows to about 4 feet (1.2 metres) tall. It grows in woods, mountains, and dry and wet meadows. Plants For A Future says it blooms from April to May. That source says seeds ripen from May through July. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. The plant is also self-fertile: it can set seed with its own pollen. The accounts give no more facts on flower or fruit shape.

Plants For A Future says sandy, loamy, and clay soils suit it. It lists mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soils too. The plant can grow in full sun or light shade. The source lists dry, moist, and wet soils as suitable. Yet it stresses that it has few facts on growing this plant. It does not say whether the plant is hardy in Britain. It suggests beds, the edges of woods, and dappled shade. It also lists bog gardens and notes the plant's value for wildlife.

Indigenous people in North America have long used the roots as food. People eat them raw or cooked for their sweet, nut-like taste. Plants For A Future says to gather roots when growth rests. You can dry the roots and store them for later use. You can mix ground roots with cereals in porridge or cakes. You can also eat young leaves raw or cooked. The seeds add a taste like caraway to food. You can also roast them and add them to porridge.

Plants For A Future lists past uses of the root as medicine. People used root preparations for coughs, sore throats, wounds, and swelling. These records do not prove that the treatments work. The source lists no known hazards. This does not mean the plant is wholly safe. It reports no weed potential. The supplied accounts name no pests or diseases. They give no firm hardiness zone or mature spread.