Below is a table containing a partial list of vegetable crops grown in different parts of the world. Specifically, the list provides examples of flower vegetables and seed vegetables.
These are crop plants from which edible flowers (flowers or entire inflorescences) and seeds are commonly used in the preparation of vegetable dishes.
These plant organs, as well as fruits, are reproductive parts rather than vegetative (the root, stem, and leaves).
The examples given for flower vegetables are not exhaustive.
In addition to those highlighted by Peel (2004) under major types of vegetables, the following were also listed as having edible flowers: viola (Viola odorata), nasturtium (Tropaaeolum majus), calendula (Calendula officinalis), carnation (Dianthus spp.), daisy (Bellis perennis), elderflower, roses, and sunflower (Helianthus annuus).
To further view a list of plants with edible flowers, click here.
The same goes for the list of vegetables with edible seeds.
Take note also that with the exception of corn or maize the listed seed vegetables are legumes.
Click here to read the terminology on types of vegetables.
Table LV-5. List of vegetable crops which are sources of edible flowers and seeds for culinary use.
| CROP NAME | SCIENTIFIC NAME | FAMILY | COLLECTIVE NAME FOR MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY, OTHER INFO |
| EXAMPLES OF FLOWER VEGETABLES | |||
| Artichoke, globe artichoke | Cynara scolymus | Asteraceae/Compositae | Sunflower or Aster family |
| Broccoli | Brassica sp., scientific name is being verified | Brassicaceae/Cruciferae | Mustard family; inflorescence buds are the edible parts. |
| Cauliflower | Brassica sp., scientific name is being verified | Brassicaceae/Cruciferae | Mustard family; inflorescence buds are the edible parts. |
| Cooking banana, plantain, cardava | Musa sp. | Musaceae | Banana family; largely grown for mature fruits but the male inflorescence is used as an ingredient in the preparation of many vegetable dishes; timely removal of the male inflorescence from developing fruit bunches is an established practice in banana plantations. |
| West Indian pea, agati, katuray | Sesbania grandiflora | Fabaceae/Leguminosae | Bean/Pea family, also called Legumes; newly opened flowers are harvested |
| EXAMPLES OF SEED VEGETABLES | |||
| Corn, maize | Zea mays | Poaceae/Gramineae | Grass Family; succulent seeds are often scraped from young ears. Includes the thin outer enveloping part of each seed which is botanically a fruit. |
| Cowpea, Black-eyed pea | scientific name is being verified | Fabaceae/Leguminosae | Bean/Pea family, also called Legumes |
| Fava bean | Vicia faba | Fabaceae/Leguminosae | Bean/Pea family |
| Lima bean, patani | Phaseolus lunatus | Fabaceae/Leguminosae | Bean/Pea family |
| Hyacinth bean, bataw | Dolichos lablab syn. Lablab purpureus | Fabaceae/Leguminosae | Bean/Pea family |
| Kidney bean | Phaseolus vulgaris | Fabaceae/Leguminosae | Bean/Pea family |
| Mung bean, mungbean, mungo | Vigna radiata | Fabaceae/Leguminosae | Bean/Pea family |
| Pea, garden pea, snap pea | Pisum sativum | Fabaceae/Leguminosae | Bean/Pea family |
| Pigeon pea, kadios | Cajanus cajan | Fabaceae/Leguminosae | Bean/Pea family |
| String bean, stringbean, pole sitao, yardlong bean | Vigna unguiculata | Fabaceae/Leguminosae | Bean/Pea family, succulent seeds are often extracted from semi-mature pods |
REFERENCES
- HILL A. 1972. Economic Botany. 2nd ed. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. Ltd. 560 p.
- PEEL L. 2004. HarperCollins Practical Gardener: Kitchen Garden. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. 176 p.
- SIMPSON MG. 2010. Plant Systematics. 2nd ed. San Diego, CA: Elsevier Inc. 740 p.
- The Essential Gardening Encyclopedia. 2003. San Francisco, CA: Fog City Press. 608 p.
