Prairie turnip
Psoralea corylifolia
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
An annual herb. It is erect and grows 60-125 cm high. The stems are hairy. The leaves are alternate and have one leaflet. The leaf blade is 4-8 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. They are heart shaped. There are teeth along the edge and a tip at the end. The flowers are in a group. There are 3 flowers in the axil of each bract. The fruit are 4.5 mm long and oval. They are black and have pits.
The seeds are used in medicine. They contain psoralens or furocoumarins.
Where it is found
A tropical and subtropical plant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Arabia, Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Iran, Laos, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia, Socotra, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Seeds, caution
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seeds. They are planted 30 cm apart, Plants can last 5-7 years.
Its other names
Local names
Arisi, Baavanchalu, Babachi, Babchi, Bakuchi, Bapunga, Bavachi, Bavachya, Bavanchi, Bavanchigida, Bavchi, Bawuchee, Bu Gu Zhi, Bukchi, Dau-mieu, Kaarboka, Kakuch, Karbekhiga, Karpokkari, Karporgam, Kaurkoalari, Kushthanashini, Latakasturi, Nehle, Phacotchi, Phacottu, Sugandhakantak