How much sun does Prairie turnip need?

Prairie turnip grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Prairie turnip bloom?

Prairie turnip blooms in May and June.

Where is Prairie turnip native?

Prairie turnip (Pediomelum esculentum) is native to AR, AZ, CO, IA and 10 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Prairie turnip

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Pediomelum esculentum

Last reviewed: October 2026

Prairie turnip (Pediomelum esculentum) is a perennial forb native to AR, AZ, CO, IA and 10 more states. It blooms in May and June. The flowers draw bees.

Toxicity unknown

Prairie turnip (Pediomelum esculentum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

8"–16" H × 8"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AR, AZ, CO, IA and 10 more states

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains High Plains Central Great Plains Great Plains Cross Timbers Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area

A low perennial with silvery-hairy palmate leaves and a dense spike of blue-purple pea-shaped flowers in late spring. Develops a large starchy taproot that was historically used as a food source.

Growing Prairie turnip

Grow Prairie turnip in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 8 to 16 inches tall and spread 8 to 12 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Pea-shaped flowers are visited by native bees on dry prairie ground.

Common questions

How much sun does Prairie turnip need?: Prairie turnip grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Prairie turnip bloom?: Prairie turnip blooms in May and June.
Where is Prairie turnip native?: Prairie turnip (Pediomelum esculentum) is native to AR, AZ, CO, IA and 10 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Prairie turnip attract?: Prairie turnip draws bees.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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