Georgia Breadroot

Just finishing up its flowering show in the garden is the baptisia cousin, Pediomelum piedmontanum ‘Columbia’, commonly known as Dixie breadroot. Commonly, probably isn’t exactly the right word, since this southeast native is anything but common. In fact, it’s only known from three counties, one in Georgia, and two in South Carollina, hence a G1 (global rarity rank). Although it was first discovered in 1894, it lived in virtual obscurity until finally being named as a new species in 2006.

In the wild, it can be found on open, rocky woodlands, but our plant has performed incredibly well in our full sun, rock garden with terminal clusters of tiny lavender flowers, creating a lovely effect, as well as being a feast for native bees and butterflies. It’s performed so well, in fact, that it’s even reseeding in the garden. We offered this a few years, ago, but despite being a critically endangered natives, less than three dozen people purchased it, which was really disappointing, as we need more gardeners to act as ex-situ conservationists before these species go extinct. Where are all those folks who claim to be interested in helping preserve rare native plants?

The entire genus of Pediomelum is known for their edible, underground tubers, which fed many early Americans as the potato had done in Europe. Even the Europeans researched using Pediomelum as a cultivated crop during the Irish potato famine. Hardiness Zone 7b-9b, at least.