Edible Plants

There are many plants grown in our landscapes that provide us with nourishment. We plant vegetable and herb gardens specifically for growing food.

Trees produce various fruit and nuts, while vines and shrubs produce berries. These are all attractive plants that are multi-purpose.

Their growing cycle encompasses providing greenery, flowering, and ultimately setting fruits, vegetables or nuts. They lead us through the seasons to a bountiful harvest.

But there are also many plants that we grow for their fragrance, flowers and appearance alone which offer us more. In addition to beautifying our landscapes, they provide us with nutrition.

These edible plants can be found in our flower beds, on trellises and bordering our properties. We can identify which plants they are and appreciate this extra benefit they provide.

Vegetable Plant Leaves

Edible leaves are rich in fiber and offer varying amounts of protein. Dark green leaves are also a good source of Vitamins. Most leaves should be cooked prior to ingestion and eaten in moderation.

Select tender, young leaves for the most flavors. Peppers, melons, beans, okra, sweet potatoes and squashes of every variety all have edible leaves.

Young cassava leaves can be cooked and are a rich source of protein. Celery leaves offer a concentrated flavor of celery.

Young snow pea leaves can be stirred fry as a side dish. Mustard plant leaves can be used as pickle vegetables or cooked in the vegetables soup.

Ornamental Plants

Among the plants that we grow as trees, vines and ornamental flowers, we have more edible plants.

Dry the leaves, shoots and roots of magnolia vine to make a tea. Add the raw leaves of passion flower vine to a salad, or cook it as a side dish.

The tender young shoots of the edible bamboo tree can be steamed or boiled and served as a vegetable.

Leaves of the amaranth plant, known as Chinese spinach, can be steamed or boiled as a vegetable in soups.

In the Wild

If you want to find edible plants in the wild, it's best to purchase a good field guide specific to the area where you will be foraging.

These guide books offer detailed information on wild plants along with pictures to help identify them.

Always proceed with caution and become educated on plants in the wild before attempting to survive on only wild plants.

There's no reason why we can't enjoy our common landscaping plants for more than their beauty.

They serve another purpose -- they offer us nutrition which we should consider as a bonus from nature.