Psoralea corylifolia Seeds | Babchi
LATIN NAME: Psoralea corylifolia
COMMON NAME: Babchi
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Babchi (Psoralea corylifolia) is a herb in the pea family. Babchi is a small, grey herb of dry fields, with a long and careful record. Seeds have a very long record in old practice of the East, and plant is a fine, quiet presence of warm border and herb garden. It is a plant of open, sunny, well-drained ground. The blooms are worked steadily by bees for as long as they are open. Gardeners value it precisely for this blend of qualities.
Science & Biotechnology
Botanists studying the pea family regularly include Psoralea corylifolia in comparative work, and the species also appears in horticultural trials aimed at gardeners and growers. Babchi is an old, careful subject of plant science, studied for small, flat seeds and chemistry of the plant. It retains a following among breeders and collectors, which keeps seed stocks in circulation.
Uses & Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Babchi has the practical versatility that makes a plant worth growing from seed year after year. Babchi is a small, careful plant with a very long record in old practice. Small, blue-purple, pea-like flowers open in dense clusters through summer, and small, flat, brown seeds have a very long record in old practice of the East, where they were kept and studied for skin and the light. Seeds carry light-sensitive compounds, so plant is one for garden and study rather than kitchen, and seeds are best handled with care and kept out of strong light. Routine care after establishment is refreshingly light.
Psoralea seed, Bu Gu Zhi, is a classical Chinese yang tonic for bones and vitality; its psoralen compounds sensitize skin to light and underlie both its traditional leucoderma use and its need for professional guidance.
Growing from Seed
Raising Babchi from seed is straightforward. Sow thinly on the surface of a loose, well-drained seed compost, cover lightly, water in gently and keep the tray in a sunny spot with even moisture. Shift the seedlings into small pots as soon as they can be handled, and give them bright light until planting-out time.
Our Take
Its long record of traditional use, described above, gives the plant a story beyond ornament. Babchi is the kind of plant that rewards a permanent spot. Moisture matters most while plants are young; established plants cope with far more.
Related Reading
Continue exploring with these related plants: