Pennsylvania
Edible Organic Flowers List (with Botanic Names)
Guest Post From Cathy Wilkinson Barash
| COMMON NAME | BOTANIC NAME | FLAVOR |
| Anise hyssop | Agastache foeniculum | Licorice |
| Apple | Malus spp. | Floral |
| Arugula | Eruca vesicaria sativa | Peppery |
| Banana | Musa spp. | Sweet |
| Basil | Ocimum basilicum | Herbal |
| Bee balm | Monarda didyma | Spicy/sweet |
| Borage | Borago officinalis | Cucumber |
| Broccoli | Brassica oleracea, Botrytis group | Spicy |
| Calendula | Calendula officinalis | Slightly bitter |
| Canary creeper | Tropaeolum peregrinum | Peppery |
| Chamomile | Anthemis nobilis | Apple |
| Chicory | Cichorium intybus | Slightly bitter |
| Chives | Allium schoenoprasum | Oniony |
| Chrysanthemum | Dendranthema grandiflorum | Mild to slightly bitter |
| Coriander (Cilantro) | Coriandrum sativum | Herbal |
| Dandelion | Taraxacum officinale | Sweet-slightly bitter |
| Daylily | Hemerocallis spp. | Sweet to vegetal |
| Dianthus | Dianthus caryophyllus | Sweet, clove |
| Dill | Anethum graveolens | Herbal |
| Elderberry | Sambucus canadensis | Sweet |
| English daisy | Bellis perennis | Slightly bitter |
| Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare | Herbal |
| Garlic chives | Allium tuberosum | Garlicky |
| Hibiscus | Hibiscus rosa-sinensis | Mild citrus |
| Hollyhock | Alcea rosea | Mild nutty |
| Honeysuckle | Lonicera japonica | Sweet floral |
| Hyssop | Hyssopus officinalis | Strong herbal |
| Japanese plum | Prunus ‘Mume’ | Sweet almond |
| Jasmine | Jasminum sambac & J. officinale | Sweet floral |
| Johnny-jump-up | Viola tricolor | Slightly minty |
| Kale | Brassica oleracea, Acephala group | Spicy |
| Lavender | Lavandula spp. | Strong floral |
| Lemon | Citrus limon | Sweet citrus |
| Lemon verbena | Aloysia triphylla | Sweet citrus |
| Lilac | Syringa spp. | Floral |
| Linden | Tilia spp. | Sweet |
| Marjoram | Origanum vulgare | Herbal |
| Mint | Mentha spp. | Minty |
| Mustard | Brassica juncea | Spicy |
| Nasturtium | Tropaeolum majus | Peppery |
| Nodding onion | Allium cernuum | Oniony |
| Ocotillo | Fouquieria splendens | Sweet cranberry |
| Okra | Abelmoschus aesculentus | Mild, sweet |
| Orange | Citrus sinensis | Sweet citrus |
| Oregano | Origanum spp. | Herbal |
| Pansy | Viola x wittrockiana | Slight minty |
| Pea | Pisum sativum | Pea-like |
| Pineapple guava | Feijoa sellowiana | Sweet tropical |
| Pineapple sage | Salvia elegans | Spicy sweet |
| Radish | Raphanus sativus | Peppery |
| Red clover | Trifolium pratense | Sweet |
| Redbud | Cercis canadensis | Pea-like |
| Rose | Rosa spp. | Floral |
| Rose of Sharon | Hibiscus syriacus | Mild |
| Roselle | Hibiscus sabdariffa | Mild citrus |
| Rosemary | Rosmarinus officinalis | Herbal |
| Runner bean | Phaseolus coccineus | Bean-like |
| Safflower | Carthamus tinctorius | Bitter |
| Sage | Salvia officinalis | Herbal |
| Scented geranium | Pelargonium spp. | Floral |
| Shungiku | Chrysanthemum coronarium | Slightly bitter |
| Signet marigold | Tagetes signata (T. tenuifolia) | Citrusy tarragon |
| Society garlic | Tulbaghia violacea | Sweet garlicky |
| Squash | Curcubita pepo spp. | Vegetal |
| Summer savory | Satureja hortensis | Herbal |
| Sunflower | Helianthus annuus | Bittersweet |
| Sweet woodruff | Galium odoratum | Fresh, sweet |
| Thyme | Thymus spp. | Herbal |
| Tuberous begonia | Begonia x tuberhybrida | Citrus |
| Tulip | Tulipa spp. | Bean- or pea-like |
| Violet | Viola odorata | Sweet floral |
| Winter savory | Satureja montana | Herbal |
| Yucca | Yucca spp. | Sweet (must be cooked) |
~
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF EDIBLE FLOWERS*
1. Eat only those flowers you can positively identify as safe and edible. Learn the Latin or botanical names, which are universally accepted (common names may vary from region to region).
2. Do not assume that restaurants and caterers always know which flowers are edible. Just
because it is on your plate does not mean it is edible (see Rule #1).
3. Eat only those flowers that have been grown organically.
4. Do not eat flowers from florists, nurseries, garden centers or public gardens (see Rule #3).
5. Do not eat flowers if you have hay fever, asthma or allergies.
6. Do not eat flowers picked from the side of heavily trafficked roads.
7. Eat only the petals of flowers; always remove and discard the pistils and stamens before eating. (Except for the tiny flowers like thyme where it would be like performing microsurgery to remove the pistils and stamens.)
8. Not all sweet-smelling flowers are edible; some are poisonous.
9. Eat only the flowers of the recommended plants; other parts may be toxic or inedible, even
though the flower may be delicious.
10. Gradually introduce flowers into your diet - one at a time and in small quantities, the way you would new food to a baby.
~
See also: Cathy’s Edible Calendula Flowers and Rosalind’s Flower Butter Recipes
~~
*Edible Flower Disclaimer
Cathy Wilkinson Barash is author of numerous garden books including Edible Flowers: From Garden to Palate.
© Cathy Wilkinson Barash
Image Credit: Bee Balm © Andy Estes | Dreamstime.com
OrganicToBe.org | OrganicToGo.com
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Posted
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Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 at 7:00 am
Nice list especially for the students studying botany. It’s a good opportunity to increase our general knowledge. I have bookmarked your site and thanks for giving this list.
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:04 amWonderful website!!! I have been following Jeff Cox since his TV series and I met Rosalind a month or so ago in Sacramento!! Such wonderful people to share the simple things in life. Thank you!!
January 4th, 2010 at 9:53 am