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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.

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2. Pommegranate (Punica granatum) Family: Lythraceae

Origin: Middle East

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3. Rose hips (Rosa canina)

Family: Rosaceae

Origin: Eurasia

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4. Strawberry guava

(Psidium cattleyanum)

Family: Myrtaceae

Origin:South America

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5. Elder berries

(Sambucus caerulea)

Family: Adoxaceae

Origin:Mexico

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6. Yucca blossoms

(Yucca filamentosa)

Family: Asparagaceae

Origin: American Southwest

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7. Natal plums or Noemnoem

(Carissa macrocarpa)

Family: Apocynaceae

Origin:South Africa

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8. Dragon tree fruit

(Dracaena draco)

Family: Asparagaceae

Origin: Canary Islands

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9. Olives (need to be brined)

(Elea europea)

Family: Oleaceae

Origin: Mediterranean

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10. Yellow figs

(Ficus carica)

Family: Moraceae

Origin: Eurasia

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11. Purple figs

(Ficus carica)

Family: Moraceae

Origin: Eurasia

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12. Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) 

Family: Ericaceae

Origin: Mediterranean

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13. Nochtli, prickly pear fig,

Tuna

(Opuntia ficus indica) Family: Cacaceae

Origin: Central America

young leaves also edible as nopales.

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14. Rosemary

(Salvia rosmarinus)

Family: Lamiaceae

Origin: Mediterrean
very good in bread, stews etc.

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15. Strawberry

(Fragaria spec.)

Family: Rosaceae

Origin: America Eurasia

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16. Queen palm

(Syagrus spec.)

Family: Arecaceae

Origin: South America

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17. Mexican apple, Sleep Sapote, Cochitzapotl (Casimiroa edulis) Family: Rutaceae

Origin: Mexico

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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.

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20. Apple

(Malus domestica) Family: Rosaceae

Origin: Eurasia

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21. Papaya

(Carica papaya)

Family: Caricaceae

Origin: Central America

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22. Avocado

(Persea americana) Family: Lauraceae

Origin: Central America

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23. Kumquat

(Citrus japonica)

Family: Rutaceae

Origin: China

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24. Sugar cane

(Saccharum officinarum) Family: Poaceae

Origin: Papua New Gunea

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25. Torrey pine nuts

(Pinus torreyana)

all over campus  

Family: Pinaceae

Origin: local, endemic)

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26. Yellow Guava

(Psidium guayava) Family: Myrtaceae

Origin: South America

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27. Mango

(Mangiferra indica) small but sweet, they are right at the edge of their range in San Diego Family: Anacardiaceae

Origin: India

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28. African fern tree (Podocarpus grecilor) do not eat too many, better cooked

Family: Podocarpaceae

Origin: Aethiopia

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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

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30. Mulberry

(Morus spec.)

silk worm larvae are also edible

Family: Moraceae

Origin: East Asia

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31. Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis)

Family: Arecaceae

Origin: Mediterranean

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32. Firethorn berries

(Pyracanthus spec.)

Family: Rosaceae

Origin: Mediterranean

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33. Indian Hawhtorn

(Raphiolepsis indica)

Family: Rosaceae

Origin: India

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34. Loquoat

(Eriobotrya japonica)

Family: Rosaceae

Origin: China

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35. Hottentot fig (ice plants fruit)

(Carpobrotus edulis)

Family: Aizoaceae

Origin: South Africa

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36. Carob 

(Ceratonia siliqua)

Family: Fabaceae

Origin: Mediterrean

pods can be dried and ground into powder can be used to substitute cocoa powder.

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37. Nasturtium

(Tropaeolum majus)

Family: Brassicaceae

Origin: Centr & South America

flowers are nice and spicy

tasty in salads

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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61. Magenta Orach
(Atriplex hortensis)

Family: Amaranthaceae
origin: Mediterranean

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62. Peruvian Pepper Tree
(Schinus molle)
Family: Anacardiaceae
Seeds as pepper spice

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63. Jelly Palm

(Butia capitata)

Family: Arecaceae

origin: Brazil

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64. Cuban Laurel Fig

(Ficus microcarpa nitida)

Family: Moraceae

Origin: Asia

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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

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68. Kaki/Persimon
(Diospyros kaki)
Family: Ebenaceae
Origin: China

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69. California Buckwheat
(
Eriogonum fasciculatum)
Family:Polygonaceae
origin: Local

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70. Drumstick Tree
(Moringa oleifera)
Family: Brassicaceae
origin: India
Leaves, pods and seeds are all edible

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71. Kaffir Plum
(Harpephyllum caffrum)
Family: Anacardiaceae
Origin: South Africa

 

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72. Acorns

(Quercus agrifolia)

Family: Fagaceae

Coastal live Oak

Origin: local

These have to be soaked and cooked

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73. Grapes
(Vitis vinifera)
Family: Vitaceae
Origin: Mesopotamia

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74. Suriname Cherry
(Eugenia uniflora)
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: South America

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75. Moreton Bay Fig
(Ficus macrophylla)
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Australia
many of these fruits have fig wasps in them: extra protein

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76. Lemonade berry
(Rhus integrifolia)
Family: Anacardiaceae
Origin: local

 

77.Golden Rain
young shoots cooked,
berries roasted

(Kohlreuteria paniculata)
Family: Sapindaceae
Origin: China

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78.Date palm
(Phoenix dactilyfera))
Family:Arecaceae
Origin:Arabia

 

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79. African Arrow root
(Canna indica)
Family: Cannaceae
Origin:South America
 

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80. Lemon Grass
(Cymbopogon calciphilus)
Family: Poaceae
Origin: Asia

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81. New Zealand Cabbage tree
(Cordyline australis)
roots are sweet and can be baked.
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: New Zealand

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82. Magnolia petals
(Magnolia grandiflora)
petals mean be pickled
Family: Magnoliaceae
Origin: Asia

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83. Day Lilies
(Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus
petals are edible raw
Family: Liliaceae
Origin: Asia

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84. Bauhinia pods
(Bauhinia purpurea)
Orchid tree
Camel foor tree
pods can be cooked and eaten like beans
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Asia

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85. Taro
(Colocasia esculenta)
corm is edible cooked, staple food of Polynesian culture!
Leaves also edible cooked.

Family: Araceae
Origin: Papua New Guinea

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86. Ti plant (root)
(Cordyline fruticosa)
roots can be baked.

Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: Polynesia

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87. Hibiscus flowers
(Hybiscus spec)
petals are edible in salads
Malvaceae
Origin: Asia

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88. Pineapple
(Ananas commosus )
very rare, never collect 
without asking!
Family: Bromeliaceae
Origin: Central America

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89. Crocosmia
(Crocosmia Lucifer)
Flowers edible and can be used to color food
Family: Iridaceae
Origin: South Africa

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90, Bronze Loquoat
(Eryobotrya deflexa)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: South East Asia

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91, Kapok seeds
(Ceiba speciosa)
Family: Bombacaceae
Origin: South America

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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

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93. Galangal
(Alpinia galanga)
a.k.a as Siam Ginger or kha
roots very flavorful.
Family Zingiberaceae
Origin: Thailand

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94. Kawakami pears
(Pyrus kwakami)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Taiwan

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95. Star pine nuts
(Araucaria heterophylla)
seeds drop when cones disintegrate .
Family: Araucariaceae
Origin: Norfolk Island

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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

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98.Flax/ Linseeds
(Linum musitatissimus)
seeds are edible
Family: Linaceae
Origin: Central Asia

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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

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100. Paulownia 
(Paulownia tomentuosa)
flowers are edible
Family: Bignoniaxeae
Origin: China

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Lupins
Plums
Apricot
Araucaria heterophyla seeds
sago starch


 

Mushrooms

Salt loving agaric

(Agaricus bernardii)

Origin: local

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Oak loving bolete

(Xerocomellus dryophilus)

Origin: local

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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 

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Honey mushrooms

(Armillaria melei)

local, served on baguette

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White Morels

(Morchella edulis)

local in newly disitributed

mulch.

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Flowers

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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

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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.

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Wild honey and hive collection from patio wall in PB, with Paul Mashka and Dave Metzgar.
March 2022

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