Silverleaf Indian Breadroot
Pediomelum argophyllum
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Jasper Shide
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Pediomelum
- Species:
- Pediomelum argophyllum
- USDA Symbol:
- PEAR6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, blue
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from deep taproot following fire; typical of prairie legumes adapted to periodic burns.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Hard seed coat requires scarification; cold stratification improves germination rates significantly.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are scarified
Establishment: P. argophyllum is found from southern Manitiba to Alberta and south to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. It inhabits prairies, sand dunes, open woodlands and stream valleys.
Source: npn.rngr.net