Pediomelum canescens
| Pediomelum canescens | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Pediomelum |
| Species: | P. canescens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pediomelum canescens (Michx.) Rydb.
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Pediomelum canescens, commonly known as buckroot, hoary scurfpea, and eastern prairie-turnip, is a species of perennial legume endemic to the southeast region of the United States.[2][3]
Description
Pediomelum canescens grows as a shrub or subshrub, reaching between 30 and 100 cm (1.0 and 3.3 ft) in height. The leaves may be palmate or odd-pinnate, and are 1 to 3 foliate.[4] Leaflets are elliptic to obovate in shape, ranging between 1.5 and 6 cm (0.6 and 2.4 in) in length and 1 to 3 cm (0.4 to 1.2 in) in width.[5]
When inflorescence occurs, blooms are blue to purple in color.[6] Petals may be between 8 and 15 mm (0.3 and 0.6 in) in length. When fruit is produced it is ovoid in shape and approximately 1 centimeters in length.[5]
Distribution and habitat
This species's native range encompasses the United States coastal plain, stretching from southeastern Virginia to Florida and westward to Alabama.[2]
This species primarily occurs in sandy habitats, such as within pine flatwoods or longleaf pine sandhills.[4][7]
References
- ^ "Pediomelum canescens (Michx.) Rydb". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ a b Weakley, Alan S. (October 20, 2020). Flora of the Southeastern United States. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- ^ "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
- ^ a b Graham, Edward Harrison (1941). Legumes for Erosion Control and Wildlife. U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- ^ a b Radford, Albert E.; Ahles, Harry E.; Bell, C. Ritchie (December 21, 1968). Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. The University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 978-0807810873.
- ^ "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
- ^ "Pediomelum canescens (Buckroot) - FSUS". fsus.ncbg.unc.edu. Retrieved 2025-09-26.