Hoffmannseggia glauca

Hoffmannseggia glauca is a dicot found in the legume family, Fabaceae. Its common names include Indian rushpea, hog potato, and pig nut.

It is a California native that prefers alkaline desert flats, creosote bush communities, and disturbed areas. It prefers elevations of less than 900 m.  Hoffmannseggia glauca is found outside California in Western Nevada, Texas, Mexico, and South America. In California, H. glauca may be found in the San Joaquin Valley, the Southern Coastal Ranges, and the Western Transverse Ranges.

Description


Hoffmannseggia glauca is an erect perennial herb that can measure up to 30 cm tall. Branches are slender, growing out from the base of the plant, and have stalked glands. The foliage is composed of compound leaves with primary and secondary leaflets. Primary leaflets (5–20 mm) are odd-pinnate, while secondary leaflets (4–6 mm) are even-pinnate.

The inflorescence measures 5–15 cm and is glandular. Flowers are orange-red with spreading petals and are produced between the months of April and June. The fruit that develops is 1.5–4 cm long, glandular, curved, and short-stalked. The fruit may or may not be deciduous.

The USDA indicates that Hoffmannseggia glauca is considered a noxious weed in Kansas.

Uses
The Pima, Apache, Cocopa, and Pueblo ate the tubers or bulbs raw, boiled or roasted.