In This Article
- 1. Viola Flowers
- 2. Robinia Pseudoacacia (Black locust flowers)
- 3. Begonia
- 4. Dandelions
- 5. Chickweed
- 6. Coneflower
- 7. Eruca Vesicaria
- 8. Salvia Officinalis
- 9. Antirrhinum Majus (Snapdragon)
- 10. Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower)
- 11. Daisy
- 12. Alcea Rosea (Common HollyHock)
- 13. Chrysanthemum
- 14. Passiflora (Passionflower)
- 15. Dianthus
- Final Thoughts:
In this article, I will go over a dynamic list of fresh edible flowers that you will need one day in the wilderness.
You stray from the group on a hiking trip and become lost in the wilderness. You start to worry as you grow hungrier, and hungrier and time goes on.
You also become injured and leave your medications at home as well. Luckily, you find a bunch of flowers and remember which types of edible flowers you can eat and which types of flowers are not edible flowers. You also remember what flowers can give essential nutritional benefits.
Not only can you find these flowers in the wild, but you can also find these flowers in grandma’s flower garden. They offer amazing nutrition, flavor, and energy, but eating the wrong flowers might mean the end of your journey.
Join me as I explain which everyday flowers are edible and which ones are not. If you would like to learn more about edible plants specifically, check out our 11 Plants that are Edible & Nutritious for Survival article to learn more.
1. Viola Flowers
Viola flowers are native to Europe and Asia, but they were imported to the United States and have been widely naturalized. For example, despite the fact that we never planted them, they thrive in many sections of the forest.
We guarantee you’ve seen a viola before, even if you don’t think you have. This is due to the pansy, a form of bred viola.
Both the edible leaves and flowers of the viola taste great. Violas contain vitamins A and C, which have antioxidant-like properties, improve the immune system, increase collagen development in the skin, and protect cells from harm influenced by different environmental aggressors.
2. Robinia Pseudoacacia (Black locust flowers)
Native Americans and early European settlers both valued black locust wood for its incredible rot-resistance, resilience, and fire heat/efficiency ability.
Black locust wood posts will last for tens of years because the black locust tree is extremely hard and dense. The black locust is a giant bean tree that belongs to the legume family. The black locust blossoms are also known for their healing properties.
The flower is also consumed by some people to treat eye problems. The flowers have also been found to contain a chemical that may aid in the treatment of tumors. The crushed flowers assist in the healing of burnt skin. They can be added to the affected area and left on for several hours.
The taste of the flowers is not immediately evident when looking at the trees. Still, it becomes apparent when eating the edible flowers, which taste almost like sugar peas.
Depending on where you live, giant clusters of black locust flowers can be picked from the trees’ low hanging branches in early-mid spring which is the easy way to harvest them.
3. Begonia
The Begonias usually thrive in moist subtropical and tropical climates. This means that they mostly grow in South and Central America, Southern Asia, and Africa. The leaves, flowers, and stems of this plant are all edible. Begonia flowers taste citrusy-sour.
Begonias are rich in vitamin C and also contain magnesium, calcium, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Begonia flowers are great for the digestive system because they are known to cure vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
Additionally, Begonia flowers are known as the natural cough medicine. Begonia flowers have a natural anti-virus that can cure the cough. Begonia flowers can also fix asthma in the wild. Asthma symptoms may cause the sufferer to have a hard time breathing, but Begonia flowers can help cure those symptoms in a natural manner.
4. Dandelions
Dandelion plants are also mentioned in our plants that are edible article because they are insanely versatile and common.
Dandelion flowers grow just about anywhere possible. They can grow in forests, fields, or even wastelands. Although dandelions don’t like the shade very much, they tend to grow more in areas with plentiful sunlight.
Almost all parts of the edible flowers are nutritious and can be eaten, but try to avoid the stem of the dandelion. The stem has a sticky, white liquid that may taste and feel very unpleasant.
Dandelion flowers are a great source of vitamin A, C, K, E, and some vitamin B. Along with small amounts of calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Additionally, they also contain antioxidants, fight inflammation, aid blood sugar control, reduce cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, promote liver health, aids weight loss, supports healthy digestion, treats constipation, boosts immunity, and promote skin health, and support bones.
5. Chickweed
Chickweed was originally from Europe but is often found everywhere globally. It can be either cooked or eaten raw.
It usually likes to bloom in the spring and the fall but dies out near the summertime. When harvesting chickweed, be sure not to eat any brown or yellow leaves and throw them out.
Chickweed flowers are very delicious. Many people claim that it tastes very much like corn silk. Not only does chickweed taste delicious, but it has many different nutritional benefits as well. Vitamins A, D, B complex, C, rutin (a bioflavonoid), calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, sodium, copper, iron, and silica are all present.
Chickweed is widely known to reduce inflammation, fight germs, support the digestive system, treat acne and eczema, and support kidneys.
6. Coneflower
Native to North America, Coneflower has been used in medicines and has been eaten by many people for hundreds of years. Coneflowers mainly bloom between June and October.
You can eat the leaves and petals of this flower, but make sure that you don’t eat any flowers that resemble Coneflowers but are yellow because they aren’t edible.
Coneflowers are delicious. They have a strong floral taste and aroma. Coneflowers’ many nutrients include vitamin B12, vitamin D, E, magnesium, copper, selenium, and zinc.
They have many benefits, shown to improve immunity, anxiety, skin health, and inflammation. In some cases, it has even been shown to cure cancer.
7. Eruca Vesicaria
Also known as garden rockets, Eruca Vesicaraias grow the best in full sun to part shade. That is why they bloom and grow very fast in the cooler fall and spring (2-3 feet). The leaves, the flowers, and seeds of this leafy green vegetable are all edible.
Many claim that the flowers and its petals have a tart, bitter, peppery, and fresh taste to it. Not only do they taste delicious, but Eruca Vesicarias are also rich in vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants, and minerals that will benefit health.
8. Salvia Officinalis
The Salvia Officinalis were originally from the northern Mediterranean, but they have relocated to almost everywhere in the world. It is sometimes also known as the sage.
The Salvia Officinalis mostly blooms in the early summer. The leaves are the main edible pieces. Be cautious when consuming the plant because the sweet nectar in the flowers attracts many bees and butterflies.
The Salvia Officinalis flower petals also have many promising nutrients and nutritional benefits. It is very high in vitamin K, has minerals like magnesium, copper, and zing. It also has many vitamins like vitamin E, C, and A.
The Salvia Officinalis antioxidants will also lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, support oral health, and aid brain function.
9. Antirrhinum Majus (Snapdragon)
Originally native to parts of China and the US, the Snapdragon comes from the blossoms that open and close like the mouths of dragons. The flower can tolerate frost. That’s why they grow best in the spring to fall months.
Although the Snapdragon petals and flowers may have an unpleasant bitter taste, they have many nutritional benefits.
The Snapdragon, when applied to the skin, can restore youth. When eaten, it can relieve urinary tract infections, detoxify the blood, purify the liver, reduce fevers, prevents skin infections, and treats burn injuries.
10. Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower)
Not to be confused with the Coneflower (the one we mentioned above), the Cornflower is an annual flowering plant native to Europe, but it blooms in North America, Asia, and Europe.
The Cornflower likes to bloom in May through mid-summer. Surprisingly, the Cornflower tastes a bit spicy with a tint of sweetness.
Cornflowers are known to treat constipation, fever, and chest retention. They can also treat daily problems like skin inflammation, pain, conjunctivitis, and tissue inflammation. If you didn’t already know, Cornflowers are a common ingredient in eye drops and eye lotions.
11. Daisy
Native to North America, the Daisy usually blooms during spring all the way until early fall. Daisies usually can’t handle large increases or decreases in temperature. Similar to the taste of the Snapdragon, Daisies taste a bit bitter and spicy.
Daisy flower petals have many nutrients like potassium, calcium, vitamin A, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and protein.
The Daisy can brighten skin, help digestive health, prevent saggy skin, promote respiratory health, and lower dark spots.
12. Alcea Rosea (Common HollyHock)
The Alcea Rosea, native to Europe, can be found almost anywhere in the world. The Alcea Rosea usually blooms during the summertime and are biennials. This means that they complete a lifecycle in 2 years.
The Alcea Rosea is used for lots of medicinal tea. People use the Alcea Rosea to prevent and treat breathing disorders and digestive tract issues. They also use the Alcea Rosea to treat skin inflammation and ulcers.
13. Chrysanthemum
Native to East Asia and Europe, the Chrysanthemum flower is an amazing flower with many nutritional benefits.
The flower itself is yellow and tastes sweet with a buttery warmth. The Chrysanthemum flower usually blooms in the Autumn to Winter months.
Chrysanthemum flowers can also be found in teas at some restaurants because it boasts many nutrients. The flowers are a great source of Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamin B6, Dietary Fiber, Zinc, Niacin, protein, copper, manganese, potassium, and phosphorus.
Many people use Chrysanthemum flowers to treat high blood pressure, respiratory problems, inflammation, nervousness, hyperthyroidism, and many other problems.
14. Passiflora (Passionflower)
Originally from Brazil, the passionflower is often harvested in many areas for its tasty flavor. Passion Flowers usually bloom from Spring through Fall and in the Summer to Fall.
They grow the best in full sunlight and can reach up to 30 feet.
Passion Flowers have nutrients that include Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, folate, and Magnesium.
The flowers also have many benefits that lower your risk for diabetes, your cholesterol, and some cancers.
15. Dianthus
Native to Asia and Europe, the Dianthus flower has some common names like carnations and sweet william.
The Dianthus flower usually blooms from spring through fall in cooler areas. Most are perennial flower beds, which means that they can live for three years or longer.
The Dianthus flower boasts many nutritional benefits that relieve nervousness and stress, treat muscle spasms, soothe skin problems, lower pain, lower fever, treat nervous and coronary disorders, treat hair loss, treat sore muscles, relieve skin rashes, and provide relief for chest congestion.
Final Thoughts:
Now that you have learned about edible flowers and their nutritional benefits, you have just improved yourself, and you are now more improved.
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