Edible Flowers

Written by Julia Crab
Monday, 23 May 2005



Did you know that flowers are good for crabs? They contain vitamin C as well as vitamin A
and many of the pigmentation substances such as beta carotene. As there has been no
study done on the nutritional content of flowers, much of their value remains a
mystery. But crabs will enthusiastically eat flowers from this edible flower list, and
prefer them as they wilt and die. Dead flowers are a particular favorite!


Before offering flowers, be sure to check that they have not been sprayed with pesticides
or other chemicals, and that they've been fed organic plant foods. Otherwise they will
not be healthy for your crabs to eat. I frequently buy bouquets of edible flowers from the
organic farmer's market near my home.

The flowers can be frozen or put in a food dehydrator as well. In fact, my crabs seem to
prefer the taste of a thawed rose to a freshly wilted one.

Here is our edible flower list, it is updated as more information comes in, so check back
frequently. Read the article at the end to be certain of which parts of a plant to use.

For pictures of edible flowers and plants:

http://www.crabstreetjournal.com/photos/entrants/index.php?cat=20

Borage blossoms (Borago officinalis)
Calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis)-Also known as "pot marigolds"
Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Clover (flowers, leaves)
Daisies (Bellis perennis)
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) (flowers, leaves, roots)
Day lilies (Hemerocallis)
Elderberry flowers (Sambucus canadensis)
Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.)
Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Honeysuckle flowers (Japanese Lonicera japonica)
Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana)
Jasmine (Jasmine officinale)
Johnny-Jump-Up? flowers--(Viola tricolor)
Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Pansy (Viola X Wittrockiana) (flowers and leaves)
Passionflowers (Passifloraceae - passion flower family)
Petunia
Rose (Rosa spp)
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Sunflower (Helianthus) (flowers, leaves, seeds)
Tulips (Tulipa spp.)
Violet (Viola odorata)

Other herb flowers-The tiny flowering blooms of the
following spices are edible: anise, basil, bee balm, chives, coriander
(cilantro), dill, fennel, garlic, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.


WHERE TO FIND SAFE, EDIBLE FLOWERS

Edible flowers often can be found at local farmer's markets and
gourmet grocery stores. Check with the vendor to be sure that they
were organically grown. There are approximately eighty different
flowers that can be safely used as food. The most enjoyable way to get
these interesting additions to the diet of your family and your
parrots is to grow your own!

GROWING YOUR OWN

Common edible flower varieties should be chosen for your first
flower gardening adventure. Carefully follow planting, watering, and
fertilization practices for garden flowers. Only organic pesticides
should be used. Separate growing areas should be used for the growing
of ornamental flowers requiring pesticides. Do not plant other annuals
or perennials in the same area as edible flowers since pesticides from
ornamentals could contaminate the edible varieties. Some gardeners
plant their edible flowers indoors in sunny kitchen windows and under
grow lights to avoid pesticide contamination.

SAFETY FIRST!

As much as crabs enjoy the variety and the visual stimulation of
flowers in their diet, it is as essential that we learn the difference
between toxic and non-toxic varieties, as it is to use only untreated
flowers. One can use a good reference book on edible flowers,
available in local libraries and online. Do not use flowers from
florists, nurseries or garden centers. Unless otherwise stated, these
flowers have almost certainly been treated with pesticides which were
not intended for food crops. Chemicals are used in all phases of
ornamental growth and these chemicals are unsafe for human or parrot
consumption. Flowers picked from the side of the road never should be
eaten by human or parrot. Highly poisonous herbicides are used to
eliminate weeds and plants bordering roadways so roadside flowers can
be deadly fare. One of the best books for identifying safe flowers is
Thomas S. Elias and Peter A. Dykeman's Edible Wild Plants: A North
American Field Guide (Sterling Publishing Company).

MOST POPULAR EDIBLE FLOWERS

(These are the most commonly consumed flowers of the eighty edible
varieties.)

• Borage blossoms (Borago officinalis)-Tiny blue flowers have

slight cucumber flavor.

• Calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis)-Also known as "pot

marigolds", multi-colored blooms with a peppery taste. Sometimes
called "poor man's saffron"

• Carnation flowers (Dianthus caryophyllus)-Red, pink, and

white blossoms with clove taste.

• Chamomile flowers (Chamaemilum nobile)-Daisy-like flowers

with a slight hint of apple flavor. Especially good for parrots when
calming influence is needed.

• Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)-the lavander-pink pom pom

flower is actually composed of many small florets. Flowers have a mild
onion flavor.

• Daisies (Bellis perennis)-Yellow and white flowers with

light mint or clover flavor. Flowers

• Dandelion flowers - pictured (Taraxacum officinale)-Small

yellow blossoms have honey flavor when picked young. Older flowers are
bitter but my Eclectus parrots do not seem to notice. Also offer the
dandelion leaves which are an excellent source of nutrition.

• Day lilies (Hemerocallis)-Many colored blossoms with sweet

taste and crunchy lettuce texture. Flower buds and blossoms can be
consumed at all stages of growth. Note: Many lilies (Lillium species)
contain alkaloids and are NOT safe for parrots or people.

• Elderberry flowers (Sambucus canadensis)-Sweet tasting

flowers. For colds and chills, Gypsies mix elderberry flowers, yarrow
and peppermint and steep in boiling water for 13 minutes, and drink
tea frequently.

• Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.)Flowers of many colors grow on a

spike with flowers above each other, all usually facing the same way.
Has lettuce texture and flavor.

• Hibiscus flowers (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)-Tropical blossoms

in a variety of colors have slightly acidic taste. One of the favorite
flowers of most parrot species.

• Honeysuckle flowers (Japanese Lonicera japonica)-Small white

to yellow trumpet-shaped blossoms are sweet and delicious. Parrots
relish these flowers and the Loridae family of birds especially loves
the honeysuckle nectar. Only the Japanese honeysuckle is edible and
only the blooms should be used as the berries are extremely poisonous.
Offer only the flowers so that no berries on the vines will
accidentally be eaten.

• Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana)-Multi-color small blooms

with mild taste.

• Johnny-Jump-Up? flowers--(Viola tricolor) Yellow, violet, and

lavender flowers with wintergreen flavor. Leaves are also edible and
contain vitamin C.

• Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)--Lavender blossoms have heavy

floral fragrance and lemon flavor.

• Marigolds flowers (Tagetes signata pumila)-Bright yellow and

orange flowers with citrus flavor.

• Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)-Purple flowers are edible as

well as leaves and seeds which are known for benefits to liver.

• Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)--Red, yellow, and orange

flowers have a tangy, peppery flavor and are the most popular of all
edible flowers. Leaves can be eaten too.

• Pansies (Viola X Wittrockiana)-Purple, white, yellow

bi-color blooms have a sweet, tart flavor. Flowers

• Passionflowers - pictured (Passifloraceae - passion flower

family)--Passiflora caerulea and Passiflora edulis are two of the
hundreds of varieties. Some vines produce large greenish white and
purple blossoms and then orange or purple edible fruit, depending upon
the variety of the plant. *See website below with information and
photos of 200 Passionflower varieties.

• Roses (Rosa spp)-Some of the tastiest rose varieties are

Rosa xdamascena, Rosa gallica, and Rosa rugosa, Flower carpet rose,
Double Delight, Mirandy, and Tiffany variety. Roses have a slight
fruity flavor.

• Sage (Salvia officinalis)-Lavender-blue flower spikes grow

only on the culinary variety. The variegated species of sage do not
flower. Flowers have distinctive sage flavor.

• Other herb flowers-The tiny flowering blooms of the

following spices are edible: anise, basil, bee balm, chives, coriander
(cilantro), dill, fennel, garlic, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.

• Sunflowers (Helianthus)--Many varieties but most have yellow

leaves around a "black eye" center. Mature flowers contain the seed
that all parrots find so irresistible!

• Tree flowers-Parrots can be offered the flowering blooms of

the following trees: Apple, bottlebrush, citrus (orange, lemon, lime,
grapefruit, kumquat), eucalyptus, melaleuca, and plum.

• Tulips (Tulipa spp.)-Multi-color flowers with crisp, cucumber taste.
• Vegetable flowers-Butterblossom squash flowers have slight

squash taste. Zucchini flowers, podded pea flowers (ornamental peas
are poisonous), okra, pumpkin, and runner bean flowers are edible.

• Violets (Viola odorata)-Deep violet and white color with

sweet wintergreen taste.

FLOWER REMEDIES

Flowers The Bach Flower remedy system of healing was developed by
the British physician, Dr Edward Bach, in the 1930s. The remedies are
based on the belief that flowers have healing properties. Flower
essences are prepared by the infusion methods and are used for the
purpose of removing negative emotions that can affect health and lead
to disease. Bach Flower remedies are prepared from the non-poisonous
flowers of certain trees, plants and shrubs. They are non-toxic,
non-addictive, and can be taken by people and pets of all ages. If
these remedies do in fact have healing qualities, perhaps the fresh
non-toxic flowers would have a similar effect. Examples of the healing
qualities of edible flower remedies are honeysuckles (pictured) for
homesickness, nostalgia, and sadness as well as impatiens flowers for
irritability, impatience, nervous tension, and muscular pain.

PARTIAL LIST OF EDIBLE FLOWERS USED IN FLOWER REMEDIES

Flowers Aloe Vera Flower, Basil, Blackberry, Bleeding Heart,
Borage, Calendula, California Wild Rose, Chamomile, Chrysanthemum,
Corn, Dandelion, Dill Flower, Echinacea, Evening Primrose, Garlic,
Hibiscus, Iris, Lavender, Milkweed, Mullein, Nasturtium (pictured),
Peppermint, Pomegranate, Red Clover, Rosemary, Sage, Sunflower,
Violet, Yarrow, Yerba Santa.

POISONOUS POSIES

There are many more flowers that are poisonous than are edible.The
use of botanical names is important due to the fact that common names
vary in different regions of the country. Two plants may be known by
the same common name while one is toxic and the other is edible. The
following is only a partial list of the most common toxic flowers and
their botanical names:

• Anemone or windflower (Anemone spp.)
• Autumn crocus (Colchicum spp.)
• Azalea and rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)
• Buttercup (Ranunculus spp.)
• Clematis (Clematis spp.)
• Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)
• Delphinium or Larkspur (Delphinium spp.)
• Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)
• Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)
• Iris (Iris spp.)
• Lantana (Lantana camara)
• Lobelia or Cardinal flower (Lobelia spp.)
• Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)
• Morning glory (Ipomoea spp.)
• Oleander (Nerium oleander)
• Periwinkle myrtle and vinca (Vinca spp.)
• Wisteria (Wisteria spp.)

Book recommendations:

"Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide" by Thomas S.
Elias and Peter A. Dykeman (Sterling Publishing Company).
"Edible Flowers: From Garden to Palate" by Cathy Wilkinson Barash
(Fulcrum Publishing, 1993, 1995 $22.95)

Winged Wisdom Note: Carolyn Swicegood is a devoted fan of Eclectus
parrots. Her aviary, The Land of Vos, specializes in the Vosmaeri
subspecies. Carolyn has written for a variety of magazines and
currently serves as Associate Editor of "Watchbird" magazine published
by the American Federation of Aviculture.
http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww38eii.htm

Special thank you to Vanessa Pike-Russell? for locating and supplying the article

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