Are ornamental plants edible? A lot of us have beautiful ornamental plants in our home gardens or around the patio, but did you know that those plants may also be edible?
Ornamental plants can include an array of colorful flowers, shrubs and small trees.
Though these plants are often grown for their aesthetic value, many varieties offer a unique flavor and aroma to dishes.
With the rising trend of urban farming and garden-to-table cuisine, taking advantage of common ornamental plants in everyday cooking is becoming increasingly popular.
While some ornamental plants are strictly decorative, there are many that can be both used as decorations and incorporated into meals.
If you’re wondering which ornamental plants offer more than beauty but deliciousness too, then this article will provide insight on which common ornamental plants are edible.
Key Takeaways
- Some ornamental plants are edible, offering both aesthetic value and nutrition.<br>
- Daylilies are edible, and their petals add a sweet flavor to salads.<br>
- Acorns hold multiple essential minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, and zinc and are worth the extra effort to harvest, dry out, grind into flour, and cook with.<br>
- Some coleus species such as Coleus blumei are eaten by native cultures for their peppery scent and taste, but some coleus varieties are toxic if consumed in large quantities.<br>
- Elderberries are valuable for making herbal teas and small-scale homemade wines, but every part of the shrub apart from its fruit is somewhat toxic when ingested raw or improperly cooked.
Are Ornamental Plants Edible?
Ornamental plants are often overlooked when it comes to food gardens, but did you know that many of them have edible value? Edible ornamental plants offer both nutrition and beauty in the garden, giving you twofold enjoyment from their presence.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular ornamental plants and whether or not you can eat them.
Daylilies
Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp. ) come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and serve as an excellent backdrop for perennial plantings.
What’s more is that daylily petals are totally edible.
They contain some Vitamin C and folic acid and add a pleasant sweetness to green salads.
Not all parts of the daylily are edible however; be sure to avoid consuming any poisonous lilies such as the red “Stargazer” variety.
Acorns
Acorns (Quercus spp.) get overlooked by most people as a potential food source because they take extra effort to harvest, dry out, grind into flour and cook with.
However, acorns hold multiple essential minerals like potassium, manganese, copper and zinc which means they are worth the extra effort!
Coleus
Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) has been highly valued since Victorian times due to its vibrant foliage coloration that brings life to any planting design.
While the leaves of some coleus varieties are actually quite toxic if consumed in large enough quantities, some coleus species such as Coleus blumei are eaten by native cultures for their peppery scent and taste.
Elderberry
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) produces beautiful white clusters of flowers in spring which transition into large dark berries throughout summer.
While every part of this shrub apart from its fruit is somewhat toxic when ingested raw or improperly cooked, elderberries contain powerful medicinal compounds such as flavonoids which makes them valuable for making herbal teas or even small scale homemade wines with other fruits like honeydew melon or blackberries.
Asparagus Fern
Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus) may look dainty but it actually packs quite a nutritional punch! The thin shoots of this fern can be cut up into small pieces before being cooked either alone or mixed with other vegetables to enhance flavor in soups or stir-fry’s while providing important vitamins like vitamin A & K as well fiber content.
Overall there are many ornamental plants that have edible value if gathered correctly,.
Be sure not to consume any unattended plants unless you are certain of its quality because many non-edible ornamental plant species exist out there too!
Conclusion
Ornamental plants can provide a colorful and vibrant addition to your home or garden.
While many of these are non-edible and not meant for consumption, there are plenty of edible varieties available.
By doing some research and asking around, one is able to easily find these safe-to-eat plants that can provide a tasty complement or snack to any meal.
When it comes to ornamental plants, the possibilities are endless!
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