Tall stately mesquite trees are not what most people think of as a herb! But this graceful tree with durable wood was used as a medicinal herb as well as a source of food, tools, and building materials. Mesquite Pods The seed pods of mesquite, […]
The tea industry has declared June “National Iced Tea Month.” So today we will look at seven common regional plants that make tasty tea. Many of these can be grown as landscape plants – so foraging could be as close as your own yard. Let’s […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 (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, 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 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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
