Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-04-04

The sIPrairie POTATO, and "Prairie Pca.'' .
Ma. BArEHAx:-I have just read Mr.. Bryants
book-"What I saw in California, and on
page 81 is tho following paragraph The party
being ON or near the kansas River. snort o's-
lance Wese Of Missouri.
'.Sevsrai Of the Kanzas Indians followed US
from our last encampment. One Of them pre-
% nted 10 me . root Of tuber, Of an oval shape, |
about one and half inch in length, and an inch /
in diameter. This root is called the prairie po |
sato. Its composition is farnicaccous and highly
nutritious, and its flavor is more agreeable than
that Of the finest Irish potato. ! have but little
doubt. il this plant was cultivated in your gar
dens, il would be an excellent and useful vege.
table for ordinary consumption; and very proba-
bly, il would be 50 improved as TO form subs'i-
Suts for the potato"
NV curiosity was excited from this glowing
description, TO ascertain what plant this could
be:--inasmuch substitute for the potato.
which has become subject 10 the rot, would
be a valuable acquisition. therefore set about
hunting through my books TO find it. Turning
to that part Of Maj Longs Expedition, where
they were travel rising the same region OF country,
found on page IA, vol. ], the following: 1.-THE
roots Of the Apios tuberoso were much sought
after, and eaten by the soldiers, who accompan-
led Us in ascent (of ths Missouri River J.
They are little tubers about half inch in d-
ametes, and when boiled very agreeable to
The ssste." w it'll this clue, turned TO my bo-
taDicai books. and readily found tho descrip-
tion of the plant.
Apfos rrnERosA-Ground Nat-Prairie Potatoe
This plant grows in thickeis and shady woods
in Canada, aud throughout the greater part OF
the United States. 1t 10 perennial twinng
plant, with a round stem two to four feet in
length. The leaves are rather numerous. each
CONSISTING Of three frarel two pairs OF leaflei,
with an odd Ie at at the nd, making seven leaf
lets TO each leaf Th~ leaflets ovafe, narrow
more less pointed. smoothe, on short foot
ssslks. The flowers are in solitary axilary ra.
comes, one to three inches long, and are crowd
cd upon the stem. They are dark purple, rather
hAn n u frapr Mt 10 Inc
are spps nded oval heshy tubers growing at in
tervals on the principal fbres, which very
nutritious, and would perhaps be cultivated hac
we not the potatoc. 1t bears lrathery poo
about two inches long, with several kidney
shaped seeds. 1t is in flower in July and Au
gust, and ripens its fruit IN September and Oc
10bes.
My object il to ask through tho Cultivator,
any person has made the attempt to cultivate
this plant, and with what success Perhaps SOM
Horticultural or Amateur at st. Louis may hav
made the uttempt?--Or If not, perhaps they ma
be induced TO make the trial. The discovery o
an esculent root squaI TO the Potatoe. would b
Of more real value to the human family, than al
the gold Of California.
On page 3d. Mr.. Bryant says, "a fruit Gale
prairie pea, has been very abundant along on
route. The plant which produces it is abou
eight inches in length. and has Il leaf similar I
the wild pea vine. The fruit, which varies fror
half an inch to an inch in diameter, has a toug
Tind. with juicy pulp, the flavor Of which re
scmbIes that OF the green pea in its raw state
In the heart Of the fruit there number q
small seeds:--Mrs. Grayson, having the neces
sary spices. &c, made Of the prairie pea, ia
Of pickles, and they were equal if not superb
to any delicacy Of the kind which have eve
tasted"
II our good housewives must have pickles I
SGT upon the table, and if the materials to max
them Of ar. hero that it is necessary Z
resort to black walnuts and butter nuts, VIII
not procure the prairie pea to have u grea,
Or variety1
There is not sufIicien desc ription above give
70 afford any clue to the name Of this plant =
What is il? Can it be Phase olus leiospe
Torrey & Grey7
Respectfully, ID. L.
Mouoe Tnh.r Fab 1910