Local Foraging in La Jolla and Pacific Beach (100 plant species)
1. Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis)
Origin: Amazon
Family: Passifloraceae
strained juiced makes really
good jelly with sugar and pectin.
2. Pommegranate (Punica granatum) Family: Lythraceae
Origin: Middle East
3. Rose hips (Rosa canina)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Eurasia
4. Strawberry guava
(Psidium cattleyanum)
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin:South America
5. Elder berries
(Sambucus caerulea)
Family: Adoxaceae
Origin:Mexico
6. Yucca blossoms
(Yucca filamentosa)
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: American Southwest
7. Natal plums or Noemnoem
(Carissa macrocarpa)
Family: Apocynaceae
Origin:South Africa
8. Dragon tree fruit
(Dracaena draco)
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: Canary Islands
9. Olives (need to be brined)
(Elea europea)
Family: Oleaceae
Origin: Mediterranean
10. Yellow figs
(Ficus carica)
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Eurasia
11. Purple figs
(Ficus carica)
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Eurasia
12. Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo)
Family: Ericaceae
Origin: Mediterranean
13. Nochtli, prickly pear fig,
Tuna
(Opuntia ficus indica) Family: Cacaceae
Origin: Central America
young leaves also edible as nopales.
14. Rosemary
(Salvia rosmarinus)
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Mediterrean
very good in bread, stews etc.
15. Strawberry
(Fragaria spec.)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: America Eurasia
16. Queen palm
(Syagrus spec.)
Family: Arecaceae
Origin: South America
17. Mexican apple, Sleep Sapote, Cochitzapotl (Casimiroa edulis) Family: Rutaceae
Origin: Mexico
18. Macademia nuts (Macademia spec.) Family: Proteaceae
the only edible plant of that family!
Origin: Australia
19. Banana
(Musa spec)
burro and manzanita varieties Family: Musaceae
Origin: Papua New Guinea
Flowers are edible cooked or
fried.
20. Apple
(Malus domestica) Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Eurasia
21. Papaya
(Carica papaya)
Family: Caricaceae
Origin: Central America
22. Avocado
(Persea americana) Family: Lauraceae
Origin: Central America
23. Kumquat
(Citrus japonica)
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: China
24. Sugar cane
(Saccharum officinarum) Family: Poaceae
Origin: Papua New Gunea
25. Torrey pine nuts
(Pinus torreyana)
all over campus
Family: Pinaceae
Origin: local, endemic)
26. Yellow Guava
(Psidium guayava) Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: South America
27. Mango
(Mangiferra indica) small but sweet, they are right at the edge of their range in San Diego Family: Anacardiaceae
Origin: India
28. African fern tree (Podocarpus grecilor) do not eat too many, better cooked
Family: Podocarpaceae
Origin: Aethiopia
29. Bottle brush tree nectar (Callistemmon spec.)
you can harvest the copious nectar by simply slapping the flowers again the pal of your hand and licking your hand.
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Australia
30. Mulberry
(Morus spec.)
silk worm larvae are also edible
Family: Moraceae
Origin: East Asia
31. Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis)
Family: Arecaceae
Origin: Mediterranean
32. Firethorn berries
(Pyracanthus spec.)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Mediterranean
33. Indian Hawhtorn
(Raphiolepsis indica)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: India
34. Loquoat
(Eriobotrya japonica)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: China
35. Hottentot fig (ice plants fruit)
(Carpobrotus edulis)
Family: Aizoaceae
Origin: South Africa
36. Carob
(Ceratonia siliqua)
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Mediterrean
pods can be dried and ground into powder can be used to substitute cocoa powder.
37. Nasturtium
(Tropaeolum majus)
Family: Brassicaceae
Origin: Centr & South America
flowers are nice and spicy
tasty in salads
38. Kaffir lime leaves
(Citrus hystrix)
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: South East Asia
leaves are excellent in Thai
curries and other dishes,
rind of limes used in curries
39. California coffee berry
California Buckthorn
(Frangula californica)
Family: Rhamnaceae
Origin: West Coast USA
rather bitter berries, seeds can be roasted for coffee substitute.
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40. Long Mulberry
(Morus macroura)
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Tibet
41. Mexican bread fruit
Phylodendron
Fruit salad fruit
(Monstera deliciosa)
Family: Araceae
Origin: Central America
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42. Pomelo
(Citrus maxima)
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: East Asia
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43. Grapefruit
(Citrus X paradisi)
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: Carribean
Natural hybrid between
Pomelo and sweet orange
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44. Valencia Orange
(Citrus X sinensis)
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: North America
Natural hybrid between
Pomelo and mandarin
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45. Sweet Lime
(Citrus limetta)
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: East Asia
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46. Mandarins
(Citrus reticulata)
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: East Asia
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47. Sweet Fennel, wild anise
(Foeniculum vulgare)
Family: Apiaceae
Origin: Middle East
Invasive, escaped cultivation.
49. Calendula, pot marigold
(Calendula officials)
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: Mediterranean
Petals are tasty. and pretty in salads or soups
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50. Sun flower
(Helianthus spec.)
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: North America
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51. Stinging Nettle
(Urtica dioica)
Family: Urticaceae
Origin: North America
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52. Sedge
(Cyperus)
Family: Cyperaceae
Origin: North Africa
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53. Cross berry
(Grewia occidentalis)
Family: Malvaceae
Origin: South Eastern Africa
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54. Lambsquarter
(Chenopodium album)
Family: Chenopodiaceae
Origin: Europe & Asia
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55. Carolina cherry
(Prunus Carolinians)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: North America
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56. Wild Mustard
(Sinapis arvensis)
Family: Brassicaceae
Origin: Europe
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57. Brussel sprouts
(Brassica oleacea)
Family: Brassicaceae
Origin: Europe
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58.Bamboo sprouts
(Bambusa)
Family: Poaceae
Origin: Asia
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59. Artichoke
(Cynara cardunculus)
Family:Asteraceae
Origin: Mediterranean
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60. Bunya Bunya seeds (boiled)
(Auracaria bidwilii)
Family: Araucariaceae
origin: Northeast Australia
61. Magenta Orach
(Atriplex hortensis)
Family: Amaranthaceae
origin: Mediterranean
62. Peruvian Pepper Tree
(Schinus molle)
Family: Anacardiaceae
Seeds as pepper spice
63. Jelly Palm
(Butia capitata)
Family: Arecaceae
origin: Brazil
64. Cuban Laurel Fig
(Ficus microcarpa nitida)
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Asia
65. Canary Date Palm
(Phoenix canariensis)
Family: Arecaceae
Canary Islands
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66. Bay Leaf
(Laurus nobilis)
Family: Lauraceae
Mediterranean
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67. New Zealand Flax seeds
(Phormium tenax)
Family: Asphodelaceae
Origin: New Zealand
68. Kaki/Persimon
(Diospyros kaki)
Family: Ebenaceae
Origin: China
69. California Buckwheat
(Eriogonum fasciculatum)
Family:Polygonaceae
origin: Local
70. Drumstick Tree
(Moringa oleifera)
Family: Brassicaceae
origin: India
Leaves, pods and seeds are all edible
71. Kaffir Plum
(Harpephyllum caffrum)
Family: Anacardiaceae
Origin: South Africa
72. Acorns
(Quercus agrifolia)
Family: Fagaceae
Coastal live Oak
Origin: local
These have to be soaked and cooked
73. Grapes
(Vitis vinifera)
Family: Vitaceae
Origin: Mesopotamia
74. Suriname Cherry
(Eugenia uniflora)
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: South America
75. Moreton Bay Fig
(Ficus macrophylla)
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Australia
many of these fruits have fig wasps in them: extra protein
76. Lemonade berry
(Rhus integrifolia)
Family: Anacardiaceae
Origin: local
77.Golden Rain
young shoots cooked,
berries roasted
(Kohlreuteria paniculata)
Family: Sapindaceae
Origin: China
78.Date palm
(Phoenix dactilyfera))
Family:Arecaceae
Origin:Arabia
79. African Arrow root
(Canna indica)
Family: Cannaceae
Origin:South America
80. Lemon Grass
(Cymbopogon calciphilus)
Family: Poaceae
Origin: Asia
81. New Zealand Cabbage tree
(Cordyline australis)
roots are sweet and can be baked.
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: New Zealand
82. Magnolia petals
(Magnolia grandiflora)
petals mean be pickled
Family: Magnoliaceae
Origin: Asia
83. Day Lilies
(Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus)
petals are edible raw
Family: Liliaceae
Origin: Asia
84. Bauhinia pods
(Bauhinia purpurea)
Orchid tree
Camel foor tree
pods can be cooked and eaten like beans
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Asia
85. Taro
(Colocasia esculenta)
corm is edible cooked, staple food of Polynesian culture!
Leaves also edible cooked.
Family: Araceae
Origin: Papua New Guinea
86. Ti plant (root)
(Cordyline fruticosa)
roots can be baked.
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: Polynesia
87. Hibiscus flowers
(Hybiscus spec)
petals are edible in salads
Malvaceae
Origin: Asia
88. Pineapple
(Ananas commosus )
very rare, never collect
without asking!
Family: Bromeliaceae
Origin: Central America
89. Crocosmia
(Crocosmia Lucifer)
Flowers edible and can be used to color food
Family: Iridaceae
Origin: South Africa
90, Bronze Loquoat
(Eryobotrya deflexa)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: South East Asia
91, Kapok seeds
(Ceiba speciosa)
Family: Bombacaceae
Origin: South America
92, Shell ginger
(Alpinia zerumbet)
unlike true ginger, the roots are not edible, but leaves are very tasty in stews and can be used to wrap rice cakes.
Family: Zingiberaceae
Origin: South East Asia
93. Galangal
(Alpinia galanga)
a.k.a as Siam Ginger or kha
roots very flavorful.
Family Zingiberaceae
Origin: Thailand
94. Kawakami pears
(Pyrus kwakami)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Taiwan
95. Star pine nuts
(Araucaria heterophylla)
seeds drop when cones disintegrate .
Family: Araucariaceae
Origin: Norfolk Island
96. Sago palm
(Cycas revoluta)
starch from stem is edible
Family: Cycadaceae
Origin: Indonesia
97. African Flame Tree
(Spathodea campanulata)
seeds are edible
Family: Bignoniaceae
Origin: Africa
98.Flax/ Linseeds
(Linum musitatissimus)
seeds are edible
Family: Linaceae
Origin: Central Asia
99. Coffee
(Coffea arabica)
Family: Rubiaceae
red cherries are edible, each has two seeds, that one can dry, roast and grind
to make coffee!
Origin: Ethiopia
100. Paulownia
(Paulownia tomentuosa)
flowers are edible
Family: Bignoniaxeae
Origin: China
Lupins
Plums
Apricot
Araucaria heterophyla seeds
sago starch
Mushrooms
Salt loving agaric
(Agaricus bernardii)
Origin: local
Oak loving bolete
(Xerocomellus dryophilus)
Origin: local
Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus gilbertsonii),
Origin: local
only the young ones are tasty (sautéed with butter, salt and pepper) served with a home made bagel
Honey mushrooms
(Armillaria melei)
local, served on baguette
White Morels
(Morchella edulis)
local in newly disitributed
mulch.
Flowers
Column 1: Leptospermum, California poppy, Rosemary, Wild Lily, acacia, Protea (South African), Cyclamen, African daisy, Apple, Mango
Column 2: Cherry, Mimosa acacia, Agapanthus, Rudbeckia, Cistus rock rose, Calandrina (Chile), Aloe 1, Arbutus undo,azalea, Camelia, Viola
Column 3: peach, Pride of Madeira, Crocosmia, Caistemon, Jade plant, Lantana, Gentian, Tibuchina, Tebebuya, Centaurea
Column 4: Aloe, spiny, iris, Aloe, Albizia, had plant, Sea Lavender, India Hawthorne, Popy, Cactus
Column 5: Kangaroo paw, Fresia, Kawakami pear, Cape Honey suckle, Strelizia, Aloe, Poppy, Marygold,Erythrina (corral tree), Natal plum
Column 6: Nasturtium, Ceanothus, purple hibiscus, Aeonium “Zwartkopf”, Polygala, Blue iris, Iceplant, Iris, Fresia
Column 7: Yucca, pitcher plant (Nepentes), Wisteria, red bud (cerise occidentals), Camelia japonica with lemons, Geranium,Camelia, Jasmine, Phlomis (Jerusalem Sage)
Column 8: Rose , Calla Lily, Lily of the Nile, Sage with lemons, Daisy, Tradescantia, Solandra, white daisy, Lantana
Column 9: Brugmansia, Foxglove red, Digitalis white, snapdragon, Bauhinia, Periwinkle, Scarlet trumpet vine, day lily
Column 10: daisy, legume, white azalea, sage, red snap dragon, narcissus, aloe
Edible Flower petals for Cake decoration
Honey
Wild honey collection from felled canary date palm in PB, Oct 2021
dangerous even with full bee suit on ...as bees never appreciate their home being destroyed!
Combs with pollen, bee larvae and honey. The dark color of the wax combs is typical for an old hive.
