Perideridia americana
Origin: US Midwest
Improvement status: Wild cultivated material
Seeds per packet: ~15
BOTANICAL SAMPLE - NOT GERMINATION TESTED
Life cycle: Perennial
Sometimes called "wild dill" or "thicket parsley", this increasingly rare Midwest native perennial has long been prized by Indigenous peoples for its tasty edible root, though its West Coast cousin — Perideridia gairdneri, the original "yampah" — is generally much better known and more widely consumed today. It can apparently have a laxative effect if too much is eaten, and it has been used for this intentional medicinal purpose as well. Its leaves and flavorful seeds are edible too.
Due to is close resemblance to the widespread and invasive poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), it's not recommended for people to go out foraging for this plant, unless they are incredibly confident experts. The plant also is hard to find, except when in bloom, and this only lasts for a few weeks at most (as with many tuberous-rooted perennials, for much of the plant's life-cycle it's only found underground). So if you want to try this exciting native perennial edible, you'll just have to grow some yourselves!
Our seed comes from our good friend Zach Elfers, a Pennsylvania-based farmer, forager, nurseryman, and tree-crop aficionado.
GROWING TIPS: Seeds should be cold-moist stratified in the fridge for 60 days, or else fall planted. Plants prefer medium-wet to medium-dry soil and produce best in full or at least partial sun. They are most at home in USDA Zones 5-7, but are worth trying outside that band.
