Pride of Barbados

Scientific Name(s): Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Abundance: common
What: unripe seeds
How: cooked
Where: landscaping, full sun
When: spring, summer, fall
Nutritional Value: protein, calories
Dangers: ripe seeds are poisonous

Leaf Arrangement: The compound leaves are arranged alternately along the stems.

Leaf Shape: The leaves are bipinnately compound, consisting of multiple pairs of small, oblong leaflets. Each leaflet can measure approximately 1 to 2 inches in length.

Leaf Venation: The venation in the individual leaflets is not highly noticeable.

Leaf Margin: The leaflets have entire margins, meaning they are smooth and not toothed.

Leaf Color: The leaves are typically green, and the color is uniform on both the top and underside.

Flower Structure: The flowers are typically arranged in large, showy clusters at the ends of branches. Each cluster consists of multiple individual flowers.

Flower Color: The flowers come in a variety of colors, including shades of red, orange, and yellow. The vibrant colors make them highly conspicuous.

Fruit: The fruit is a flattish pod that develops after the flowering period. The pods are typically brown and elongated.

Seed: Each pod contains several seeds.

Stem: The stems are green, woody, and can be somewhat thorny. 

Hairs: The plant is hairless.

Height: Caesalpinia pulcherrima can reach a height of 6 to 10 feet, and it tends to have a sprawling growth habit.

Full plant in mid-summer will have both flowers and seedpods at different stages of maturity.


The red and orange flowers grow in clusters at the ends of branches and aren't edible.


The tender, green seedpods contain soft, edible bean seeds. The pod husks aren't edible.




The leaves are double-compound with the leaflets on the stems attached to the main leaf stem.

Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping. Pride of Barbados plants are found all across Texas.

North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.

There are few landscaping plants as showy as the non-native Pride of Barbados bushes. Their round shape, complex leaves, bright flower clusters, and long pea pods draw attention and admiration. These bushes are very tolerant of Texas summers, actually preferring full sun.  They can be planted in areas receiving as little as three hours of direct sunlight every day but they won't thrive and produces tons of blossoms with that much shade. The first year or two of planting they should be deeply watered 1-2 times a week but after that they become very drought tolerant. The USDA rates them hardy in zones 8 to 11. It may freeze and die back to the ground but fresh shoots will often appear in late spring when this happens.

The first thing noticed about this plant are usually the flowers. They produce clusters of five-petaled, red-centered, yellow/orange-tipped flowers with long stamen at the ends of many branches. The individual flowers can reach up to 3" across. Unopened flower buds are small, red balls with red stems, alternating along the end of the branch.

At the same time as the flowers (pretty much spring, summer, and fall) this plant will also have a variety of large pea pods, up to 5" long. When young these pods are green but turn a dark purple color upon maturity.

The stems are woody, ranging from green to brown in color and somewhat lumpy in texture. The bush grows multiple trunks, each branching several times.

Pride of Barbados leaves are compound twice-compound with the primary stems alternating along the branches and then the leaflet-bearing branches are opposite one another along the primary stem. The leaflets are oval in shape, have entire edges (no teeth or lobes) and opposite each other along the secondary stems. These leaflet appear in even numbers, with two growing out the end of the secondary stem.

The edible part of this plant are immature seeds taken from young, green seedpods. As the seed mature they become more and more poisonous. Though not deadly, they can cause a great deal of stomach distress if eaten too late. Younger seeds are always better than older seeds in the case of Pride of Barbados. The seeds are cooked by steaming or boiling before eating. Other cooking methods will work, too. The seed pod husks aren't eaten.


Buy my book! Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.

Common Evening Primrose

Scientific Name(s): Oenothera biennis
Abundance: rare (in Texas)
What: roots, seeds, leaves, flowers
How: roots boiled; seeds pressed for medicinal oil, tea; leaves for tea, poultices; flowers for tea, poultices
Where: fields, ditches, disturbed areas
When: summer, fall
Nutritional Value: root calories; seeds, flowers, leaves medicinal, calcium & potassium, omega fatty acids
Dangers: seeds oils are blood thinners

Medicinal Summary:
Seeds - anti-inflammatory; strengthens immune system; antihypertensive; cholesterol reduction; slows blood clotting; bronchodilator; vasodilator; antianxiety; antidepressant; reduces PMS mood swings; reduces hyperactivity (tisane)

Leaf Arrangement: The leaves are arranged alternately along the stem.

Leaf Shape: The leaves are lanceolate to oblong, typically measuring about 2 to 6 inches in length and 0.5 to 1.5 inches in width.

Leaf Venation: The venation is pinnate, with a central vein and smaller veins branching towards the leaf edges.

Leaf Margin: The margins are slightly toothed or wavy.

Leaf Color: The leaves are green, with a somewhat paler underside.

Flower Structure: The flowers are borne in a spike-like inflorescence at the top of the stem. Each flower has four petals giving a diameter slightly over 1".

Flower Color: The flowers are typically yellow, opening in the evening and closing by the next midday.

Fruit: The plant produces a long, cylindrical capsule as its fruit.

Seed: The seeds are small, reddish-brown, and enclosed within the capsule.

Stem: The stem is erect, sometimes branched, and can be slightly hairy.

Hairs: There are fine hairs present on the stem and leaves, especially on the lower portions of the plant.

Height: Oenothera biennis typically grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet.

Evening primrose plant.


Evening primrose flower buds.


Close-up of evening primrose flowers. Note the four petal and 4-part, H-shaped stigma.






Close-up of evening primrose stem. Stem is hairy, leaves & branches alternate.


Close-up of evening primrose hairy, toothed edge, pinnate veined leaf.


Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.


North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.


While common up north, Evening Primroses are rare in Texas, being found in a few spots in the east and central fields. Begin looking for them in mid to late winter going on to the end of spring. While normally they do prefer open fields I've found some hanging out in open woodland glades, too. To the untrained eye they may be mistaken for goldenrod, both having an upright stalk from which lanceolate-shaped leaves grow. Evening Primrose stems are much hairier and the leaves are wider than goldenrod's stem and leaves. Of course, the big difference is in the flowers with Evening Primrose having clusters of large, traditional, yellow/pink 4-petaled flowers continuing through a large portion of the plants growth seasons whereas goldenrod flower don't appear until late summer and consist of hundreds of small, furry, gold-colored flowers.

Evening Primrose plants have a two-year lifespan and its large, tuberous taproot looks and tastes somewhat like a parsnip at the end of the first year. The root can be peeled and eaten raw or cooked. The leaves can be eaten in the first or second year of growth. Treat them like spinach, being fine raw when you and tender or cooking them as they mature.

Most people are after the seeds of Evening Primrose due to their medicinal properties. While the most common usage of the oil from the seeds is to assist with assorted female PMS issues and so I haven't studied them much. The seed oil are also blood thinners, have shown some benefits in treating mood-swing disorders including anorexia nervosa, depression, schizophrenia, hyperactivity, and assorted addiction more studies are needed to confirm these abilities.


Buy my book! Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.

Cutleaf Evening Primrose

Scientific Name(s): Oenothera laciniata
Abundance: common
What: leaves, stem, fruit, root
How: leaves, stem, and fruit steamed, boiled; root boiled
Where: yards, flowerbeds, disturbed areas, fields
When: fall, winter, spring
Nutritional Value: some vitamins, minerals
Dangers: none reported

Leaf Arrangement: The leaves are arranged alternately along the stem.

Leaf Shape: The leaves are deeply lobed or divided, giving them a jagged, lace-like appearance. They typically measure about 1 to 6 inches in length.

Leaf Venation: The venation is pinnate, with a central vein and smaller veins branching out towards the leaf edges.

Leaf Margin: The margins are irregularly lobed or deeply cut.

Leaf Color: The leaves are green, sometimes with a reddish tinge along the veins or margins.

Flower Structure: The flowers are borne singly or in small clusters at the stem tips or in the leaf axils. Each flower has four petals and each petal has a small cleft at the tip.

Flower Color: The flowers are usually bright yellow but then turn red.

Fruit: The plant produces a elongated, rectangular, capsule-like fruit.

Seed: The seeds are small and enclosed within the capsule.

Stem: The stem is erect to sprawling and can be somewhat hairy.

Hairs: The stem and leaves are hairy.

Height: Oenothera laciniata typically grows to a height of 1 to 3 feet.

Cluster of night-blooming cutleaf evening primrose.


Cutleaf evening primrose flowers can be yellow or pinkish when first blooming.




The flowers have four notched petals and are about 3/4" across at their widest.


Close-up of the flower. Note the cross rising up from the center.


Cutleaf evening primroses start out as a rosette form.


Stems begin growing out of the center. Note the alternating leaves.


The plant will eventually get thick with leaves and stems.


The fruit of cutler evening primrose grow as thin, slightly over 1" long, flat-sided rectangles.


Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.


North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.


Cutleaf evening primroses seem to move in and quickly cover many bare, disturbed areas. You'll find them pretty much anywhere Mother Nature thinks the ground needs healing...and that includes the monoculture yards. These plants start out as a circles of spiky leaves but soon put out assorted stems and begin mounding up. The mix of pink flowers and yellow ones are another prime indicator that you've found cutler evening primroses. The flowers appear in greater numbers at night since this is mainly a moth-pollinated plant. The leaves have a pinnate vein structure and start as a rosette around a taproot, once stems appear their leaves will be alternating.

This weed is usually used as a potherb, meaning the leaves, flowers, and fruit are usually boiled or steamed rather than eaten raw. Think of it as a substitute for cooked spinach. The flavor is a bit peppery, but this zing fades as cooking times extend. The young root was peeled then boiled in 2-3 changes of water to mellow out its flavor.

Medicinally, it isn't held in the same esteem as its cousin evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) but its likely that cutleaf evening primrose seeds have the same gamma-linolenic acid content that is responsible for use medicinally to help with PMS and menopausal issues.


Buy my book! Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.

Primrose, Pink

Scientific name: Oenothera speciosa
Abundance: common
What: young leaves, flowers
How: petals raw; young leaves (before flowers appear) raw or boiled
Where: yards, sunny
When: spring, early summer, summer
Nutritional Value: Vitamin F, some fatty acids
Dangers: Eating large quantities of these flowers may cause stomach distress.

Leaf Arrangement: The leaves are arranged alternately along the stem.

Leaf Shape: The leaves are lanceolate to spatulate, typically measuring about 2 to 3 inches in length.

Leaf Venation: The venation is pinnate, with a central vein and smaller veins branching out towards the leaf edges.

Leaf Margin: The leaf margins are entire or slightly toothed.

Leaf Color: The leaves are green, sometimes with a hint of bluish or grayish tint.

Flower Structure: The flowers are large and showy, borne singly or in small clusters on elongated stems.

Flower Color: The flowers are usually pink, often with a paler center or darker veins.

Fruit: The plant produces a capsule-like fruit.

Seed: The seeds are small and enclosed within the capsule.

Stem: The stem is slender, erect to sprawling, and can be smooth or slightly hairy.

Hairs: There may be fine hairs on the stem and leaves, particularly on the lower parts of the plant.

Height: Oenothera speciosa typically grows to a height of 6 inches to 1 foot.

Pink Primrose weeds


Pink Primrose flower


Pink Primrose leaves


Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.


North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.


Bringing a spray of pink to yards and field, these flowers begin appearing in later winter and continue on through into early summer. The young leaves of the pink primrose are edible before the plant flowers. Luckily they mature in a staggered time so young leaves can be found among plants already in flower. The flowers themselves are eaten raw or as added color to salads but start with just a few as some people have an allergic reaction to them.


Buy my book! Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.

Purple Sage

Scientific Name: Leucophyllum frutescens
Abundance: common
What: leaves
How: tea
Where: arid plains, landscaping
When: spring, summer, fall, winter
Nutritional Value: medicinal

Medicinal Summary:
Leaves - antimicrobial; congestion relief; cough suppressant; liver protection (tisane)

Leaf Arrangement: The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems.

Leaf Shape: The leaves are simple, opposite, and lanceolate, with a length of approximately 1 to 2 inches.

Leaf Venation: The venation is pinnate but not highly noticeable due to the small size and simple structure of the leaves.

Leaf Margin: The leaf margins are entire, with a smooth and unbroken edge.

Leaf Color: The leaves are typically gray-green, and this color is uniform on both the upper and lower surfaces.

Flower Structure: The flowers are tubular and are clustered at the tips of the branches. Each flower has a five-lobed corolla.

Flower Color: The flowers can range in color from shades of purple to lavender or pink with a white throat spotted with brown dots.

Fruit: The plant produces small, inconspicuous capsules as fruit.

Seed: The seeds are contained within the capsules.

Stem: The stems are woody and may have a somewhat tangled or bushy appearance.

Hairs: The plant has fine hairs on the stems, leaves, and flowers contributing to a fuzzy or velvety texture.

Height: Leucophyllum frutescens typically reaches a height of 3 to 8 feet, forming a dense and rounded shrub.

Purple sage (also known as cezino) plant.


Close-up of single stalk.


Close-up of plant tip.


Close-up of single leaf.


Close-up of flower.


Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.


North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.


Purple sage, also known as cenizos, gives rise to the purple prairies of Texas, though it's found mostly in the more arid regions. The plant retains its leaves all year long but the flowers appear in the summer and fall, blooming after rains. They prefer full sun in well-drained, alkaline soils.

The leaves are dried and then used to make tea. This tea is an enjoyable drink and often just drank for the taste. However, traditionally this tea was also used to fight the symptoms of colds, including the congestion, fever, and coughing. Recent research has shown these leaves help protect the liver.

Purple sage can be found for sale at most plant nurseries. If you are not in their native range, plant the cezino in full sun in a raised bed to insure adequate drainage. If kept to wet purple sage may die.


Buy my book! Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.

Pyracantha

Scientific Name(s): Pyracantha genus
Abundance: plentiful
What: berries
How: raw, syrup, jelly, dehydrated fruit leather
Where: landscaping, woods
When: fall
Nutritional Value: vitamin C when raw or dehydrated
Dangers: thorns contain a natural, painful irritant

Leaf Arrangement: The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems.

Leaf Shape: The leaves are typically elliptical, with a length of 1 to 2 inches and a width of 0.5 to 1 inch.

Leaf Venation: The venation is pinnate.

Leaf Margin: The leaf margins are serrated, with sharp teeth along the edges.

Leaf Color: The leaves are usually dark green, and their color is uniform on both the upper and lower surfaces.

Flower Structure: The flowers are small and grouped in clusters called corymbs at the tips of the branches. Each flower has five petals.

Flower Color: Flower colors can vary but are commonly white, cream, or light pink.

Fruit: The plant produces small, apple-like pomes/berries as fruit, usually in clusters.

Seed: The seeds are contained within the fleshy pomes.

Stem: The stems are woody and may have thorns or spines, depending on the variety.

Hairs: The plant may have fine hairs on the stems or leaves, contributing to a textured or slightly fuzzy appearance.

Height: Pyracantha species vary in height, ranging from 6 to 15 feet, forming dense, evergreen shrubs.

Leaves look like Yaupon holly leaves but Pyrancantha leaf edges are smooth whereas Yaupon holly leaf edges are bumpy.


Leaves and thorns


Thorn


Close-up of flower


Unripe fruit, April in Houston. Note the "crowns" at the base of the fruit.


Almost ripe, October in Houston.


Fully ripe and ready to be made into jelly, January in Houston.


Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping.


North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.


Fall brings forth a lot of different red berries in Texas, both wild and landscaping. One of the most thickly-covered red berry bushes is Pyracantha. These started out as a non-native landscaping plant but due to birds LOVING these berries, the seeds have been spread far and wide. Finding these thorn-covered bushes in the wild is becoming more and more common. The alternative name for these is "fire thorn" because the tips of its long, sharp thorns contain a powerful irritant, making any scratch from it hurt a lot more than expected.

Ripe, red Pyracantha (aka fire thorn) berries are a bland food but high in vitamin C. The most common use for these berries is to make jelly. Like with beautyberry, you need to add a lot more pectin to the syrup to get it jell up properly, up to doubling the amount pectin for a proper jelly. Some cinnamon improves the apple-like flavor. The end result will have lost a lot of its vitamin C due to the cooking process.

The best place to plant these evergreen shrubs is in front of large, first-floor windows. Their sharp, irritating thorns make an excellent barrier, sending thieves looking for an easier target. Food and protection in one plant! Prune it 1-2 times a year to shape the wall of thorns. If you're a birdwatcher, placement by a window will give you a front row seat as cedar waxwings and other birds show up to devour these berries.


Buy my book! Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.