Edible Plants

Below are some edible plants of Colorado.

Surprisingly the Yucca plant is edible. This plant is found on dry hillsides, in the desert, on plains, and foothills. It tends to grow in lower elevations. The leaves of the Yucca are made of strong fiber which makes them hard to eat and nobody really does. On the other hand the roots can be made into soap and the fresh flowers can be eaten raw in salads. The best time to eat the flower is when it has not yet opened. Wood from a Yucca plant is good for using to light a fire if you are using primitive methods. Some other names for the Yucca are Soapweed and Spanish Bayonet. Also, it is the state flower of Mexico.

Prickly Pear Cactuses are found in lower elevations in dry and/or rocky enviroments. The petals and fruit are edible. To collect fruit, first remove the spines of the Prickly Pear. SLice the plant in half and remove all of the seeds. The fruit can be eaten raw or turned into delicios products such as jams or jellies. The seeds can be ground into meal and used.

Peppermint- Peppermint grows in moist areas usually alng streams. The Peppermint plant is not native to Colorado. It is great in tea or used as a spice. To the right is a picture of a Peppermint branch.

Sunflower- The sunflower grows in open fields and on roadsides. The seeds of the sunflower can beground and made into a cake. The seeds are the most commonly eaten part of the sunflower but, only when they are roasted. To the right is an image of the sunflower.

Below is the Yucca.

Beehive Cactus- The Latin name for the Beehive Cacus is Escobaria Vivipara. It grows in dry Pinyon and Juniper belts. This type of cactus is found in Fremont County near Canon City. It's unknown if it is edible. This cactus is very small and is easily stepped on. There are many similar cactuses found in the Suthwest Area. Below is a pictue of the Beehive Cactus.

Above and to the bottom are in clockwise order: Prickly Pear Cacxus fruit, Blooming Prickly Pears.

Horehound- This plant grows at lower elevations that have a drier climate. Horehound is in the Mint family and was originally introduced from Europe. Horehound is used in cough drops, candy, and beer. People say that this herb is very bitter and is very high in sugar. To the left is a picture of a Horehound plant.

Thistle- The thistle is actually a close relative of the artichoke. The thistle is also a very common weed. The roots and the young flowers of the thistle are both edible. To the left is a picture of a blooming thistle.