Alpine sweetvetch
Hedysarum alpinum

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 15 cm high. The roots are long and 2 cm across. They are pale yellow and have an attractive smell. The stems are smooth and tall and branching. The leaves are smooth and green. They have 15-20 leaflets along the stalk. The flowers are pale pink. They occur in large numbers. The fruit is a pod which has 3-4 joints. These are 4-6 mm long.

There are about 100 Hedysarum species.

Where it is found

A cold temperate plant. Subarctic. In Canada it grows in alpine regions. It grows in dry and well drained places. In north China it grows in swampy meadows and stony slopes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Arctic, Asia, Canada, China, Korea, North America, Mongolia, North America, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Siberia, USA

How it is used for food

The root is eaten raw or dried and stored. They can be boiled or roasted. They are usually eaten with oil to avoid constipation.

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

Roots are harvested just before heavy frosts. They can also be harvested in early spring before shooting.

Its other names

Local names

Eskimo potato, Liquorice-root, Mashu, Masu, Muhzut

Synonyms

Possibly now Hedysarum boreale Hedysarum elongatum Fisch. ex Lodd.; Hedysarum laxiflorum Benth. ex Baker; Hedysarum sibiricum auct. non Poir.: Ledeb.;