Indian rushpea
Hoffmannseggia glauca

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 5-30 cm tall. The leaves are 2-15 cm long. There are 2-6 pairs of leaflets with 4-12 leaflets on each one. They are narrowly oval and 2-11 mm long by 1-4 mm wide. The pods are curved and 3-4 cm long. There are 8-10 seeds. They are 3 mm long by 3 mm wide.

Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 4,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Bolivia, Central America, Chile, Mexico, North America, Peru, South America, USA

How it is used for food

The tubers are roasted and eaten.

Edible parts

Tubers, roots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Algarrobilla fina, Camincha, Papa cuchi, Culchao, Porotillo

Synonyms

Caesalpinia chicamana Killip & J. F. Macbr.; Caesalpinia falcaria (Cav.) Fisher; Caesalpinia glauca (Ortega) Kuntze; Hoffmannseggia densiflora Benth.; Hoffmannseggia densiflora A. Gray; Hoffmannseggia falcaria Cav.; Hoffmannseggia stricta Benth.; Larrea densiflora (Benth.) Britton; Larrea densiflora (A. Gray) Britton & Rose; Larrea glauca Ortega;