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Edible
Flowers N-Y and Poisonous Flowers
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| Name |
Picture |
Comments |
|
| Nasturium
Tropaeolum majus
|
|
Buds are often pickled and used like
capers. Tastes like: sweet, mildly pungent, peppery flavor. |
|
| Okra
Abelmoschus aesculentus
(Hibiscus esculentus)
|
|
Tastes like: similar to squash blossoms. |
| Pansy
Viola X wittrockiana
|
|
Tastes like: very mild sweet to tart
flavor. |
| Pea
Pisum species
|
|
Flowering ornamental sweet peas are
poisonous. |
| Primrose
Primula vulgaris
|
|
Birdseye Primrose (P. farinosa) causes
contact dermatitis. The other varieties taste like: bland to sweet
flavor. |
| Redbud
Cercis canadensis
|
|
Tastes like: mildly sweet. |
| Rose
Rosa rugosa or R. gallica
officinalis
|
|
Tastes like: sweet, aromatic flavor,
stronger fragrance produces a stronger flavor. Be sure to remove the
bitter white portion of the petals. Rose hips are also edible. |
| Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis
|
|
Tastes like: pine-like, sweet, savory. |
| Safflower*
Carthamus tinctorius
|
|
A "poor man's saffron" without
the pungent aroma or strong flavor of the real thing. |
| Sage
Salvia officinalis
|
|
Sage should not be eaten in large
amounts over a long period of time. Tastes like: varies by type. |
| Savory: Summer
Satureja hortensis
|
|
Tastes like: bold, peppery flavor. |
| Scented Geranium
Pelargonium species
|
|
Citronella variety may not be edible.
Tastes like: varies with differing varieties from lemon to mint. |
| Snapdragon
Antirrhinum majus
|
|
Tastes like: bland to bitter flavor. |
| Squash Blossom
Cucurbita pepo species (aka Zucchini
Blossom)
|
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Tastes like: sweet, nectar flavor. |
| Sunflower*
Helianthus annus
|
|
Tastes like: leafy, slightly bitter.
Lightly steam petals to lessen bitterness. Unopened flower buds can be
steamed like artichokes. |
| Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
|
|
Tastes like: lemon, adds a nice light
scent. |
| Tuberous Begonia
Begonia X tuberosa
|
|
ONLY HYBRIDs are edible. The flowers and
stems contain oxalic acid and should not be consumed by individuals
suffering from gout, kidneystones, or rheumatism. Further, the flower
should be eaten in strick moderation. Tastes like: crisp, sour,
lemony. |
| Yucca
Yucca species
|
|
Only the petals are edible. Other parts
contain saponin, which is poisonous. Large amounts may be harmful.
Tastes like: cruncy, fresh flavor. |
|
*Only
the petals of these composite flowers are edible. The pollen of
composite flowers is highly allergenic and may cause reactions in
sensitive individuals. Sufferers of asthma, ragweed, and hayfever should
not consume composite flowers, and may have extreme allergies to
ingesting any flowers at all. |