An edible flower is just one of the unique, less known uses of plants.
However, it should not be a surprise to find flowers that can be eaten or ingested in some manner.
After all, they are modified shoots and there are plenty of edible stems and leaves.
A list of selected crop plants each capable of producing flowers that are edible is provided below.
For more information, including the usable parts and how they are used, you may start with the references listed hereunder.
The scientific names will be useful also in finding details about any plant.
The List of Crops With Flowers That Are Edible
Table EF-1. A partial list of crops with flowers that are edible (mainly from Peel [2004] and Newman and O’Connor [2012]).
| Scientific Name | Common Names |
| Abelmoschus aesculentus | Okra, gumbo, gombo |
| Allium spp. | Onions |
| Anethum graveolens | Dill |
| Anthemis nobilis | Chamomile |
| Bellis perennis | Daisy |
| Borago officinalis | Borage |
| Brassica spp. | Broccoli, Cauliflower, Mustard |
| Calendula officinalis | Calendula, pot marigold |
| Cichorium intybus | Chicory |
| Cucurbita spp. | Squash, Kalabasa, Pumpkin |
| Cynara scolymus | Artichoke, Globe artichoke |
| Dianthus spp. | Dianthus or pinks |
| Eruca vesicaria | Arugula |
| Foeniculum vulgare | Fennel |
| Hemerocallis fulva | Daylily |
| Hibiscus rosa-sinensis | Hibiscus, Gumamela, China rose |
| Humulus lupulus | Hop, Common hop |
| Hyssopus officinalis | Hyssop |
| Lavandula angustifolia | Lavender |
| Monarda didyma | Bergamot, Bee balm, Oswego tea |
| Musa spp. | Plantain, Banana, Saging |
| Ocimum basilicum | Basil, Sangig, Balanoy |
| Phaseolus spp., ex. P. coccineus | Beans, ex. Scarlet runner bean |
| Pisum spp., ex. P. sativum | Peas, ex. garden pea |
| Rosa spp. | Roses |
| Rosmarinus officinalis | Rosemary |
| Sambucus nigra | Elderflower, Elder |
| Sesbania grandiflora | Giant sesbania, Katuray, Gaway-gaway |
| Thymus spp. | Thyme |
| Tropaeolum majus | Nasturtium |
| Viola odorata | Violet, Sweet violet |
| Viola tricolor | Heartsease, Pansy or Johnny Jump-Up |
(Disclaimer: This list is for information purposes only in relation to angiosperms and plant structure.
Although the author has had personal knowledge of and still continues to take nourishment from food that includes some botanical flowers, he does not recommend nor promote, either express or implied, any flower or part thereof for consumption.)
REFERENCES
NEWMAN SE, O’CONNOR AS. 2012. Edible flowers. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2012, from http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07237.html.
PEEL L. 2004. Kitchen Garden: What to Grow and How to Grow It. HarperCollins Practical Gardener. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. 176 p.
