Native Edible Plant Garden

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Allium haematochiton is a North American species of wild onion known by the common name redskin onion. It is native to northern Baja California, Sonora, and southern California as far north as Kern County. It grows on the slopes of the hills and mountains, such as those of the Peninsular Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and southern California Coast Ranges. . Allium haematochiton has a small rhizome associated with clusters of brightly colored red bulbs. From these grow several naked green stems, each with a few withering, curling leaves. Atop each stem is an inflorescence of several flowers, each on a short pedicel. Each flower is just under a centimeter wide and white to pinkish with dark midveins. There are six stout stamens around a white or pink ovary. USDA Plants Profile 

Allium peninsulare is a North American species of wild onion. It is known by such common names as Mexicali onion and Peninsula onion; the former referring to the Mexican city just south of the US/Mexican border, the latter referring to the Peninsula of Baja California. It is widespread in California, USA, where it grows in the California Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, some of the Channel Islands, and Peninsular Ranges. The range extends south into the northernmost part of Baja California and north into southern Oregon. Allium peninsulare is usually found in Valley Grassland, Foothill Woodland, and Coastal Chaparral at elevations up to 1100 m (3660 feet). The plant produces a bulb 8-15 mm wide and has two to three channeled to more or less cylindrical leaves. Between May and July, it sends up a 12-45 cm scape topped with an umbel of 5-35 flowers, each on an 0. 8-4 cm pedicel. The flowers are red-purple and have six triangular tepals. The three inner tepals are smaller than the outer ones and have teeth along the margins. Allium peninsulare is usually found in Valley Grassland, Foothill Woodland, and Coastal Chaparral at elevations up to 1100 m (3660 feet). The plant produces a bulb 8-15 mm wide and has two to three channeled to more or less cylindrical leaves. Between May and July, it sends up a 12-45 cm scape topped with an umbel of 5-35 flowers, each on an 0. 8-4 cm pedicel. The flowers are red-purple and have six triangular tepals. The three inner tepals are smaller than the outer ones and have teeth along the margins. Varieties: Allium peninsulare var. franciscanum --- leaves arched; stigma, unlobed or obscurely 3- lobed --- central California from Mendocino County to Monterey County, Allium peninsulare var. peninsulare - leaves straight, stigma strongly 3 - lobed --- widespread from Baja California to Oregon

Allium praecox is a species of wild onion known by the common name early onion. It is native to the coastal hills and mountains of southern California and Baja California, including the Channel Islands, where it grows in shady areas in clay soils. This onion grows from a brownish or grayish bulb between one and two centimeters long. It produces a stem up to 60 centimeters long and two or three long, keeled leaves about the same length or sometimes a little longer. The flower cluster holds up to 40 flowers, each on a long pedicel up to 4 centimeters long. The flowers are purple-veined pink and dry to a papery texture as they age.

Tarragon or Dragon's-wort (Artemisia dracunculus) is a perennial herb in the family Asteraceae. Plants in this genus are frequently called Wormwood, but this species is usually known as Tarragon. A European cultivar of this species is used as a popular culinary spice. The species name "dracunculus" leads to the common name "dragon herb." It is native to a wide area of the Northern Hemisphere from easternmost Europe across central and eastern Asia to India, western North America, and south to northern Mexico. The North American populations may, however, be naturalized from early human introduction. In California it is found primarily in the southern half of the state, in the coastal mountains and Sierras. Tarragon grows to 120-150 centimeter tall, with slender branched stems. The leaves are lance-shaped, 2-8 centimeter long and 2-10 millimeter broad, glossy green, with an entire margin. The flowers are produced in small capitulae 2-4 millimeter diameter, each capitulum containing up to 40 yellow or greenish-yellow florets. Some sources refer to this plant as an unattractive weed. It is cultivated primarily for culinary purposes but also has some wildlife value.

Caulanthus heterophyllus is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by the common names San Diego wild cabbage and San Diego jewelflower. This annual wildflower is native to the coast ranges of southern California and Baja California. It is a member of the chaparral plant community and is common in areas recovering from wildfire. This plant has a smooth, erect stem which may be thin or quite stout. The stem produces long, pointed leaves at intervals, and toward the top of the stem produces flowers at similar intervals. The point of the stem is occupied by an inflorescence of one to several flowers. Each flower is showy, with a magenta to purple hollow urn-shaped body and a mouth surrounded by contrasting white petals which curl outward. The fruit is a silique several centimeters long containing winged seeds.

Bladderpod (Cleomella arborea) is a very fast-growing densely-branching shrub with abundant bright-yellow flower clusters at the ends of its stem branches. It can grow to 1 ½ - to 6 ½ -feet tall and 6 feet wide. The fruit is a large, papery, lantern-like capsule that is smooth and green when new, aging to light brown. This is the “bladderpod” for which the plant is named. A typical flower cluster bears a number of unopened flower buds at its tip, open flowers, and  maturing fruits. The leaves are light green.  The flowers stay on the plant most of the year and are highly fragrant, though opinion is divided on whether the scent is pleasant or unpleasant.

Bladderpod is one of the easiest California natives to grow. This tough plant does well even on south-facing slopes, alkaline soils, and salty conditions. It tolerates weekly summer water but can also get by with only natural rainfall. It is easy to grow from seeds and readily self seeds; once you have a few mature plants in your garden, expect new seedlings to pop up each winter.

It is deer resistant and attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. It particularly attracts harlequin beetles which eat the leaves. If they become a problem, they can be removed by hand or sprayed off with a garden hose. It is usually not possible to eliminate them entirely.

Cucurbita foetidissima (buffalo gourd, calabazilla, chilicote, coyote gourd, fetid gourd, Missouri gourd, stinking gourd, wild gourd, wild pumpkin) is a xerophytic tuberous plant found in the southwestern USA and northwestern Mexico. A member of the cucumber family, the fruit is consumed by humans and non-human animals both. The fruit can be eaten cooked like a squash when very young. As the fruit becomes fully mature, it is too bitter for humans to eat. At this stage, the fruit is used by natives for decorative purposes or in making musical instruments, particularly rattles. The seeds are the source of buffalo gourd oil. It grows fast (including a massive underground tuber) with little water, and some have proposed growing it for fuel or biofuel ethanol

Cucurbita palmata is a species of flowering plant in the squash family known by the common names coyote melon and coyote gourd. It is similar to Cucurbita californica, Cucurbita cordata, Cucurbita cylindrata, and Cucurbita digitata and all these species hybridize readily. It was first identified by Sereno Watson in 1876. These species form the only restricted xerophyte species group in the genus Cucurbita. Each member of this species group is native to the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico where they are relatively uncommon. Each group member is found in hot, arid regions with low rainfall. They prefer soil that is loose, gravelly, and well-drained. C. palmata is native to northeastern Baja California, southeastern California, and southwestern Arizona to a point near the Colorado River. The juvenile leaves of C. cylindrata, C. cordata, C. digitata, and C. palmata show a high degree of similarity, but their mature leaves are visibly different, as are their root structures. C. palmata and C. digitata are sympatric, with C. palmata separating the ranges of C. digitata at the juncture of Baja California, California, and Arizona. C. palmata fruits are diffuse green mottle that turns yellow at maturity, striped, and round. Cucurbita palmata is a sprawling vine with rough, stiff-haired stems and leaves. The dark green, light-veined leaves are sharply palmate with usually five long triangular points. Cucurbita palmata is a sprawling vine with rough, stiff-haired stems and leaves. The dark green, light-veined leaves are sharply palmate with usually five long triangular points. The stiff, curling yellow flowers are 6 to 8 centimeters wide. The plant bears smooth spherical or oblate squash fruits 8 to 10 centimeters wide. The fruits may be bright yellow to dark green and may have white stripes. The fruit is distasteful and not edible.

Cyperus esculentus is part of the sedge family found widespread across much of the world, in California it can often be found in disturbed habitats. In some parts of the world it is cultivated for its edible tubers.

It is very difficult to control once established, since it is resistant to most chemical treatments and mechanical or manual methods of control do not typically eliminate all the abundant tubers from which it regenerates.

Daucus pusillus is a species of wild carrot known by the common names American wild carrot and rattlesnake weed. It is similar in appearance to other species and subspecies of wild carrot, with umbels of white or pinkish flowers. The taproots are small, edible carrots. This is a common plant found along the west coast of North America from Baja California to British Columbia; as an example occurrence in Baja California, D. pusillus occurs in association with Mimulus aridus and Adiantum jordanii.

Lathyrus splendens is a species of wild pea known by the common names pride of California and Campo pea. It is native to Baja California and its range extends into San Diego County, California, where it grows in the chaparral. This is a climbing perennial pea vine with coiling tendrils. Its leaves are each made up of 6 to 8 linear to oval-shaped leaflets a few centimeters long and wavy-margined stipules. The plant produces showy inflorescences of up to 6 bright to deep red flowers each about 3 centimeters wide. The fruit is a hairless dehiscent legume pod.

Lathyrus vestitus is a species of wild pea known by the common name Pacific pea. It is native to western North America, where it is mostly found in the forests, woodlands, and chaparral of California. The ranges of some subspecies extend into Oregon and Baja California. This is a perennial pea vine which varies in appearance across subspecies. Leaves are made up of several leaflets of various shapes up to 4 or 5 centimeters long. The leaves usually bear coiling tendrils and the stipules may be large or small. The flower cluster is a showy array of up to 15 pea flowers, sometimes densely packed together, and usually some shade of bright violet, or light to medium purple, or white.

San Diego Pea (Lathyrus vestitus var. alefeldii) is a native perennial herb that grows in Southern and Central California, primarily in the South Coast, the Channel Islands and Peninsular Range regions. It tends to grow at elevations from 0-3900 feet.

Lomatium lucidum is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family known by the common name shiny biscuitroot. It is native to coastal mountains and canyons of southern California and Baja California, where it is a member of the chaparral plant community, including recently burned areas. It is a somewhat fleshy perennial herb sometimes exceeding a meter tall. The leaves are up to about 24 centimeters long and are divided into many toothed, three-lobed leaflets each a few centimeters long. The flower cluster is a webbed umbel of yellow flowers borne on a peduncle up to half a meter tall.

Wild Cucumber (Marah macrocarpa), also known as manroot or bigroot, is a fast-growing vine that appears in late winter after increased rainfall. Known for its hairy shoots, stems, and leaves, it can scramble or climb up to 20 feet long. The vine produces small white flowers in early spring, followed by large, spiky fruit that forms after flowering and grows as the season progresses. The plant becomes completely dormant in summer.

With its rounded, five-lobed leaves and spiral tendrils at the growing tips, this plant is adaptable to various soils and is drought-tolerant. However, it is toxic, so care should be taken. Wild Cucumber hosts up to four species of butterflies and moths.

Matricaria discoidea, commonly known as pineappleweed, wild chamomile, and disc mayweed is an annual plant native to North America and Northeast Asia but which has become a cosmopolitan weed. It is in the family Asteraceae. The flowers exude a chamomile/pineapple aroma when crushed. They are edible and have been used in salads (although they may become bitter by the time the plant blooms) and to make herbal tea. Pineapple weed has been used for medicinal purposes, including for relief of gastrointestinal upset, infected sores, fevers, and postpartum anemia. The plant grows well in disturbed areas, especially those with poor, compacted soil. It can be seen blooming on footpaths, roadsides, and similar places in spring and early summer. In North America, it can be found from central Alaska down to California and all the way to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. It has also become common and naturalised in Britain NativePalearcticRussian Far East: Amur Oblast, Kamchatka Peninsula, Khabarovsk Krai, Kuril Islands, Magadan Oblast, Primorsky Krai, SakhalinEastern Asia: Hokkaidomiddle east: south of iranNearcticSubarctic America: Yukon Territory, AlaskaWestern Canada: Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Manitoba,Eastern Canada: Ontario, Québec, New BrunswickNorthwestern United States: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, WyomingSouthwestern United States: Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, ColoradoMexico Northwest: Baja CaliforniaGallery.

Nicotiana clevelandii is a species of wild tobacco known by the common name Cleveland's tobacco. It is native to northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States in California and Arizona, where it grows in the Sonoran Desert, Colorado Desert, and in chaparral of the coastal canyons of the Peninsular Ranges and the Channel Islands of California. Nicotiana clevelandii is a glandular and sparsely hairy annual herb producing a slender stem up to about 60 centimetres (24 in) in maximum height. The leaf blades may be 18 centimetres (7. 1 in) long, the lower ones borne on petioles. The inflorescence bears white or green-tinged flowers with tubular throats around 2 centimeters long, their bases enclosed in pointed sepals which are unequal in length. The flower face is about a centimeter wide with five mostly white lobes. The fruit is a capsule about half a centimeter long. Uses. This plant was used for a variety of medicinal purposes and smoked in rituals by the Cahuilla.

Nicotiana quadrivalvis is a species of wild tobacco known by the common name Indian tobacco. It is native to the western United States, where it grows in many types of habitat. It is a bushy, sprawling annual herb growing up to two meters in maximum height. The lower leaf blades are up to 15 centimeters long and are borne on short petioles, the upper smaller and sessile on the stem. The flower cluster is an array of several white, greenish, or purple-tinged flowers with tubular throats up to 5 centimeters long. The base of each is enclosed in a ridged calyx of sepals. The flower face may be 5 centimeters wide. The fruit is a capsule up to 2 centimeters in length.

This variety of bladderpod is the most common plant in the Peritoma genus in the foothills of the Central Valley but also occurs elsewhere. It is distinguished by inflated or nearly spheric fruits. Sometimes younger fruit is obovoid.

Pogogyne abramsii is a rare species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name San Diego mesa mint. It is endemic to San Diego County, California, where it is known only from a few sites at vernal pools in and around San Diego and its suburbs. Much of its range is located on the grounds of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The plant has been federally listed as an endangered species since 1978. Pogogyne abramsii is a small, aromatic, densely hairy annual herb producing erect stems topped with tiny but showy inflorescences. The inflorescence contains purple-tinged green bracts and densely hairy sepals surrounding lipped, bell-shaped flowers each about a centimeter long. The flower is pinkish-purple with a purple-spotted white throat. It has a strong mint scent. The plant is pollinated by several species of bee, including honey bees (Apis mellifera), Exomalopsis nitens and E. torticornis, and the bee fly Bombylius facialis.

Pogogyne nudiuscula is a rare species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name Otay mesa mint. It is native to southern San Diego County, California, where it is known only from Otay Mesa near the border with Baja California. It was identified on land south of the Mexican border, but these occurrences have probably been extirpated. It is now known from seven vernal pool complexes just north of the border, and it is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. This annual herb produces an erect stem reaching 30 centimeters in maximum height. Its herbage is strongly aromatic and coated very thinly with stiff hairs, or lacking hairs. The inflorescence is an interrupted series of flower clusters. The flowers are just over a centimeter long, bell-shaped with narrow throats, and bright purple in color, usually with some white on the lower lip.

Hollyleaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia) is a native evergreen tree or shrub in the Rose family that grows in the coastal and inland valleys strip of northern, central, and southern California. It tends to grow on slopes or in valleys, at elevations from 0-5200 feet. It grows in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and southern oak woodland habitats and can vary greatly in size depending on conditions. In dry, rocky or shallow soils it will be bush-like from 5 to 15 ft. In richer soils with more moisture it will attain large shrub or small tree size, up to 30-40 ft.
The leaves are holly-like and evergreen. The flowers are small and white; the fruit is a one inch red to dark purple drupe that is popular with wildlife. The closely related subspecies Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii (Catalina Cherry) is endemic to the Channel Islands, but in appearance and behavior the two can be difficult to distinguish as they hybridize readily.

Lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia) is an evergreen shrub or small tree. It tends to grow slowly at first, then fast to 10 feet to 30 feet tall. Its form is upright  but it  can sprawl. However, it takes pruning very well and may be pruned, or sheared as a hedge, at any time of year.  The ;eaves are leathery, with a waxy appearance above and a paler tone below. The pink flowers, which appear from February to May, are small but noticeable. The fruit is dark red, block-shaped and sticky, and has a tart flavor which gives the plant its name. 

Lemonade berry is great for slopes. It is easy to grow and very hardy, becoming nearly indestructible once established. At that point it will stay green and healthy-looking year round without any supplementary summer water. It prefers sun or part sun and well-draining soil. 

Lemonade berry is very closely related to Sugar Bush. A good rule of thumb for landscaping applications is within 5-10 miles of the coast, lemonade berry is a better choice. More inland, sugar bush does better.

This is an important wildlife plant. The berries are a significant food source for birds and small mammals, and the thick sprawling form provides excellent animal shelter.  It hosts almost a dozen species of butterfly and moth. 

Rubus glaucifolius is a North American species of wild raspberry known by the common name San Diego raspberry. It is native to Oregon and California, where it grows in mountain forests. Rubus glaucifolius is a tangling shrub with very slender, lightly prickly stem spreading and branching outward. The leaves are each made up of usually three lobed, toothed leaflets, sometimes five. Each leaflet is veined and wrinkly in texture, white on the underside because of a waxy coating along the surface, and up to 5 centimeters (2 inches) long. The inflorescence is a solitary flower or an array of a few flowers with five reflexed sepals and five white petals each about half a centimeter long. The fruit is a lightly hairy red raspberry.

Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) is a perennial in the Rose family and is related to raspberries and blackberries. Spreading through underground rhizomes, the thornless canes can create a dense stand that is topped by large, maple-like leaves. In the spring, large white flowers bloom above the leaves. A bright red, edible fruit that resembles a raspberry (or a thimble, as the name suggests), ripens in summer.

Bees and other pollinators are attracted to the flowers, and the leaves are a host plant for many different species of butterflies and moths. Birds and other mammals eat the berries.

Thimbleberries grow in partly-shaded forest openings and on moist woodland canyons or slopes. Use Thimbleberry for erosion control on slopes in a forested garden; near shady creeks or streams; or on the north side of a house. Thimbleberry can be used as a native plant substitute for non-native berries in an edible garden or food forest.

California Blackberry (Rubus ursinus), also known as Pacific Blackberry, is a valuable wildlife plant. The fruit is a favorite of many species of birds and mammals, including black bear. (Ursinus is Latin for bear.) The sweet berries are also edible to humans, although they should be picked with care, as the stems are very prickly. The berries can be eaten raw or cooked. The spreading habit of this shrub provides cover for a wide variety of birds and small mammals. In the wild, deer, rabbits, and other animals eat new shoots and foliage.

California Blackberry is easy to grow in the garden. It tolerates a range of soil types and sun exposures, including shady sites under trees and tall shrubs. It can grow in nutrient-poor soil but does require a moderate to high amount of water to thrive, especially in summer. This shrub can spread up to 6 ft in width, making it a useful groundcover plant. As with harvesting fruit, care should be taken when weeding and pruning. For safety, it's best to plant California Blackberry away from walkways and other high-traffic areas.

Rumex hymenosepalus, commonly known as canaigre, canaigre dock, ganagra, wild rhubarb, Arizona dock, and tanner's dock, is a perennial flowering plant which is native to the western United States and northern Mexico.

Bay laurel (Umbellularia californica) is an evergreen tree is an attractive tree of variable size, most often 20 to 45 feet. It is slow to establish, then grows fast.  The leaves give off a peppery aroma and are often used as a cooking spice. They sometimes turn a spectacular golden color during the autumn in northern California. The flowers are small; white, yellow or yellowish green; and open in late winter and early spring. The fruit is a round, green berry lightly spotted with yellow and purple.  

This is one of the few garden trees that tolerates serpentine or clay soils. It is adaptable to various soils and drought tolerant to moderate in water use.   It releases terpenes that kill off competing plants, which can somewhat limit understory planting. Protect young plants from browsing deer. 

Numerous insects and birds are attracted to the flowers and fruits, with about 4 species of butterfly and moth hosted.

Verbena menthifolia is a species of verbena known by the common name mint-leaved vervain or mint vervain. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it occurs in many types of open, dry habitat such as desert scrub. This perennial herb produces one or more rough-haired, erect stems up to about 75 centimeters in maximum height. The hairy leaves are a few centimeters long and are divided near the base into a few narrow lobes which have serrated edges. The inflorescence is made up of one to three narrow, erect spikes of flowers up to 30 centimeters long. The flowers are spaced, not densely packed on the slender spike. Each flower has a small purple corolla 2 or 3 millimeters wide.

Desert Wild Grape is a native vine or shrub that grows in southern California. It tends to grow in streamsides, at elevations from 0-4100 feet, but it is found in more arid areas than its close cousin, Vitis californica. It grows in southern oak woodlands, coastal sage scrub, pinyon-juniper woodland, joshua tree woodland, and riparian habitats. In the wild it tends to climb over other plants with stems reaching up to 50 ft. In the garden it can be trained to climb up a trellis, fence or wall. It is deciduous and is leafless for several months every year. The flowers are inconspicuous, followed by the edible fruits which attract many birds. It may not fruit reliably if too close to the coast.

The monotypic genus Yabea contains the single species Yabea microcarpa, which is known by the common names California hedge parsley and false carrot. It is similar in appearance to other species of wild carrot and relatives. It is native to western North America, including the western United States, British Columbia and Baja California. It grows in many types of habitat.