Local Foraging
North PB to UC San Diego Campus
Native species:
1. Nochtli, prickly pear fig,
Tuna
(Opuntia ficus indica) Family: Cacaceae
Origin: Central America
young leaves also edible as nopales.
2. Yucca blossoms
(Yucca filamentosa)
a.k.a. Adams needle
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: American Southwest
3. Elder berries
(Sambucus caerulea)
Family: Adoxaceae
Origin:Mexico
4. Torrey pine nuts
(Pinus torreyana)
all over campus
Family: Pinaceae
Origin: local, endemic)
5. Stinging Nettle
(Urtica dioica)
Family: Urticaceae
Origin: North America
6. Sedge
(Cyperus)
Family: Cyperaceae
Origin: North Africa
7. California Buckwheat
(Eriogonum fasciculatum)
Family:Polygonaceae
origin: Local
8. Acorns
(Quercus agrifolia)
Family: Fagaceae
Coastal live Oak
Origin: local
These have to be soaked repeatedly to remove tannins and cooked
9. Sun flower
(Helianthus spec.)
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: North America
10. Lemonade berry
(Rhus integrifolia)
Family: Anacardiaceae
Origin: local
11. Toyon Berry
(Heteromeles arbutifolia)
Rosaceae
Origin: local
need to be roasted
12. Chia seeds
(Salvia columbaria)
Lamiaceae
Origin: local
13. Strawberry
(Fragaria spec.)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: America Eurasia
Non-native species:
14. Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis)
Origin: Amazon
Family: Passifloraceae
strained juiced makes really
good jelly with sugar and pectin.
15. Pommegranate (Punica granatum) Family: Lythraceae
Origin: Middle East
16. Rose hips (Rosa canina)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Eurasia
17. Strawberry guava
(Psidium cattleyanum)
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: South America
18. Natal plums or Noemnoem
(Carissa macrocarpa)
Family: Apocynaceae
Origin: South Africa
only ripe fruit edible, rest of plant is poisonous like most self-respecting dogbane family plants
19. Dragon tree fruit
(Dracaena draco)
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: Canary Islands
20. Olives (need to be brined)
(Elea europea)
Family: Oleaceae
Origin: Mediterranean
21. Yellow figs
(Ficus carica)
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Eurasia
22. Purple figs
(Ficus carica)
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Eurasia
23. Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo)
Family: Ericaceae
Origin: Mediterranean
24. Rosemary
(Salvia rosmarinus)
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Mediterrean
very good in bread, stews etc.
25. Queen palm
(Syagrus spec.)
Family: Arecaceae
Origin: South America
26. Mexican apple, Sleep Sapote, Cochitzapotl (Casimiroa edulis) Family: Rutaceae
Origin: Mexico
27. Macademia nuts (Macademia spec.) Family: Proteaceae
the only edible plant of that family!
Origin: Australia
28. Banana
(Musa spec)
burro and manzanita varieties Family: Musaceae
Origin: Papua New Guinea
Flowers are edible cooked or
fried. Leaves can be used to wrap food for being or steaming
29. Apple
(Malus domestica) Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Eurasia
30. Papaya
(Carica papaya)
Family: Caricaceae
Origin: Central America
always ask owners
31. Avocado
(Persea americana) Family: Lauraceae
Origin: Central America
always ask owner
32. Kumquat
(Citrus japonica)
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: China
33. Sugar cane
(Saccharum officinarum) Family: Poaceae
Origin: Papua New Gunea
34. Yellow Guava
(Psidium guayava) Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: South America
35. Mango
(Mangiferra indica) small but sweet, they are right at the edge of their range in San Diego Family: Anacardiaceae
Origin: India
36. African fern tree (Afrocarpus falcatus) do not eat too many, better cooked
Family: Podocarpaceae
Origin: Aethiopia
37. 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
38. Mulberry
(Morus spec.)
silk worm larvae are also edible
Family: Moraceae
Origin: East Asia
39. Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis)
Family: Arecaceae
Origin: Mediterranean
40. Firethorn berries
(Pyracanthus spec.)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Mediterranean
41. Indian Hawhtorn
(Raphiolepsis indica)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: India
42. Loquoat
(Eriobotrya japonica)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: China
43. Hottentot fig (ice plants fruit)
(Carpobrotus edulis)
Family: Aizoaceae
Origin: South Africa
44. Carob
(Ceratonia siliqua)
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Mediterrean
pods can be dried and ground into powder can be used to substitute cocoa powder.
45. Nasturtium
(Tropaeolum majus)
Family: Brassicaceae
Origin: Centr & South America
flowers are nice and spicy
tasty in salads
46. 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
47. California coffee berry
California Buckthorn
(Frangula californica)
Family: Rhamnaceae
Origin: West Coast USA
rather bitter berries (more of a laxative), seeds can be roasted for coffee substitute.
48. Long Mulberry
(Morus macroura)
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Tibet
49. Mexican bread fruit
Phylodendron
Fruit salad fruit
(Monstera deliciosa)
Family: Araceae
Origin: Central America
rarely fruits here in SD
50. Pomelo
(Citrus maxima)
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: East Asia
51. Grapefruit
(Citrus X paradisi)
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: Carribean
Natural hybrid between
Pomelo and sweet orange
52. Valencia Orange
(Citrus X sinensis)
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: North America
Natural hybrid between
Pomelo and mandarin
53. Sweet Lime
(Citrus limetta)
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: East Asia
54. Mandarins
(Citrus reticulata)
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: East Asia
55. Sweet Fennel, wild anise
(Foeniculum vulgare)
Family: Apiaceae
Origin: Middle East
Invasive, escaped cultivation.
56. Calendula, pot marigold
(Calendula officials)
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: Mediterranean
Petals are tasty. and pretty in salads or soups
57. Cross berry
(Grewia occidentalis)
Family: Malvaceae
Origin: South Eastern Africa
The Hadza people of Tanzania make their bows and arrows from closely related species and also consume a lot of different Grewia berries
58. Lambsquarter
(Chenopodium album)
Family: Chenopodiaceae
Origin: Europe & Asia
59. Carolina cherry
(Prunus Carolinians)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: North America
60. Wild Mustard
(Sinapis arvensis)
Family: Brassicaceae
Origin: Europe
61. Brussel sprouts
(Brassica oleacea)
Family: Brassicaceae
Origin: Europe
62.Bamboo sprouts
(Bambusa)
Family: Poaceae
Origin: Asia
brining advised
63. Artichoke
(Cynara cardunculus)
Family:Asteraceae
Origin: Mediterranean
64. Bunya Bunya seeds (boiled)
(Auracaria bidwilii)
Family: Araucariaceae
origin: Northeast Australia
65. Magenta Orach
(Atriplex hortensis)
Family: Amaranthaceae
origin: Mediterranean
66. Peruvian Pepper Tree
(Schinus molle)
Family: Anacardiaceae
Seeds as pepper spice
67. Jelly Palm
(Butia capitata)
Family: Arecaceae
origin: Brazil
68. Cuban Laurel Fig
(Ficus microcarpa nitida)
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Asia
69. Canary Date Palm
(Phoenix canariensis)
Family: Arecaceae
Canary Islands
70. Bay Leaf
(Laurus nobilis)
Family: Lauraceae
Mediterranean
71. New Zealand Flax seeds
(Phormium tenax)
Family: Asphodelaceae
Origin: New Zealand
72. Kaki/Persimon
(Diospyros kaki)
Family: Ebenaceae
Origin: China
always ask owners
73. Drumstick Tree
(Moringa oleifera)
Family: Brassicaceae
origin: India
Leaves, pods and seeds are all edible
74. Kaffir Plum
(Harpephyllum caffrum)
Family: Anacardiaceae
Origin: South Africa
75. Grapes
(Vitis vinifera)
Family: Vitaceae
Origin: Mesopotamia
76. Magenta Cherry
(Syzygium paniculatum)
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Australia
77. Moreton Bay Fig
(Ficus macrophylla)
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Australia
many of these fruits have fig wasps in them: extra protein
78.Golden Rain
young shoots cooked,
berries roasted
(Kohlreuteria paniculata)
Family: Sapindaceae
Origin: China
79.Date palm
(Phoenix dactilyfera))
Family:Arecaceae
Origin:Arabia
80. African Arrow root
(Canna indica)
Family: Cannaceae
Origin:South America
81. Lemon Grass
(Cymbopogon calciphilus)
Family: Poaceae
Origin: Asia
82. New Zealand Cabbage tree
(Cordyline australis)
roots are sweet and can be baked.
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: New Zealand
83. Magnolia petals
(Magnolia grandiflora)
petals mean be pickled
Family: Magnoliaceae
Origin: Asia
84. Day Lilies
(Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus)
petals are edible raw
Family: Liliaceae
Origin: Asia
85. Bauhinia pods
(Bauhinia purpurea)
Orchid tree
Camel foor tree
pods can be cooked and eaten like beans
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Asia
86. Taro
(Colocasia esculenta)
corm is edible cooked, staple food of Polynesian culture!
Leaves also edible cooked.
Family: Araceae
Origin: Papua New Guinea
87. Ti plant (root)
(Cordyline fruticosa)
roots can be baked.
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: Polynesia
88. Hibiscus flowers
(Hybiscus spec)
petals are edible in salads
Malvaceae
Origin: Asia
89. Pineapple
(Ananas commosus )
very rare, never collect
without asking!
Family: Bromeliaceae
Origin: Central America
90. Crocosmia
(Crocosmia lucifer)
Flowers edible and can be used to color food
Family: Iridaceae
Origin: South Africa
91. Bronze Loquoat
(Eryobotrya deflexa)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: South East Asia
92. Kapok seeds
(Ceiba speciosa)
Family: Bombacaceae
Origin: South America
93. 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
94. Galangal
(Alpinia galanga)
a.k.a as Siam Ginger or kha
roots very flavorful.
Family Zingiberaceae
Origin: Thailand
95. Kawakami pears
(Pyrus kwakami)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Taiwan
96. Star pine nuts
(Araucaria heterophylla)
seeds drop when cones disintegrate .
Family: Araucariaceae
Origin: Norfolk Island
97. Sago palm
(Cycas revoluta)
starch from stem is edible
Family: Cycadaceae
Origin: Indonesia
98. African Flame Tree
(Spathodea campanulata)
seeds are edible
Family: Bignoniaceae
Origin: Africa
99.Flax/ Linseeds
(Linum musitatissimus)
seeds are edible
Family: Linaceae
Origin: Central Asia
100. 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
101. Paulownia
(Paulownia tomentuosa)
flowers are edible
Family: Bignoniaxeae
Origin: China
102. Reduffalo Bur/ Litchi Tomato/ Vila vila
(Solanum sisymbriifolium)
Family: Solanaceae
Ortigin: South America
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, don't over eat, can cause stomach upset
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.
