Forage the poreleaf flowers starting to bloom now in the sandy areas of the Sonoran Desert. You can use the leaves too, but our native species is slender poreleaf – meaning they are fairly slight! There are many other things you can forage in this […]
Category: Forage
Edible Cactus Flowers
Humans have been eating flowers for millennia, in many different cultures, and in some truly tasty dishes. Desert peoples are no exception. They found many ways to use the desert plants around them, including cactus and their flowers – and fruits too. Yes, […]
Flavors of Edible Flowers
We have posted about foraging and eating flowers – but it’s hard for some people to wrap their brains around edible flowers. Here are some tips to getting started – and a super simple recipe. Start With Edible Herb Flowers If you are unsure of […]
Brittlebush has Bunches of Uses
Brittlebush (Encelia species) is in the sunflower family and offers its bright yellow flowers to pollinating bees as early as January in parts of the desert Southwest. It is easily recognized and has some nice uses for the forager – or if you just want […]
Globe Mallow
Globe mallow, desert mallow, apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) is blooming now in the Southwest, and it is one of those herbs long used by humans. Desert Wildflower The globe mallow is a common desert wildflower found especially in disturbed areas. Leaves and stems are covered […]
Violets – An Edible Winter Flower in the Desert
Violets were once called heartease, and perhaps this is why it became the birth month flower for February – the month with Valentine’s Day in it. Or maybe just because they are fragrant and lovely and ease our hearts as they start to flower. And […]
Edible Flowers in the Southwest – Part II
Cover photo – Brittlebush, one of the many Southwestern plants with edible flowers. If you water it and take care of it – why not have something to eat? Many of our desert landscape plants offer us edible flowers. And now that spring is nigh […]
Edible Flowers of the Southwest – Part I
Spring is nigh in much of the Southwest, and with it our plethora of spring flowers and forage-able plants. Edible Yards – Live Talk! If you are in the area, stop by the Sun City West Garden Club on Tuesday February 14, 2023 at 8:30am. […]
Cheeseweed
January 20 is National Cheese Day. We decided to celebrate with a series of posts on a plant you can forage right now in most of the Southwest – cheeseweed. What is Cheeseweed? Cheeseweed is a common name applied to a number of species in […]
Forage Cheeseweed
Cheeseweed is a delightful wild vegetable that is easily foraged because it is easily recognized. Cheeseweed is the common name applied to a number of species in the genus Malva, but especially to Malva parviflora. There are around 40 species of Malva; and they are […]