Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
Native Edible Plants of Oklahoma
Native Edible Plants of Oklahoma. The first Oklahoma settlers probably learned what to eat off the land from Native Americans, who still use native plants for food and medicine today. These plants will grow in any Oklahoma garden. But, if you're tempted to forage for them in the wild, then take someone along who can recognize what's safe...
The first Oklahoma settlers probably learned what to eat off the land from Native Americans, who still use native plants for food and medicine today. These plants will grow in any Oklahoma garden. But, if you're tempted to forage for them in the wild, then take someone along who can recognize what's safe to eat. Relying solely on a field guide with a brief description and a small photo may put your well-being at risk.
Jerusalem Artichoke
The Jerusalem artichoke is prominent in central Oklahoma, with some presence in other parts of the state. It produces bright yellow flowers that resemble small sunflowers. You can prepare the plant's tuber the same ways you'd cook a potato.
Dandelion
Dandelion is a perennial weed. Its growth slows down in winter, but never stops. While the plant has the power to choke your lawn, young dandelion leaves and buds also offer you a good dose of beta carotene and vitamins A and C. Add them to salads and smoothies.
Violet
The violet belongs to the viola plant family, and it is related to pansies and Johnny jump-us. Its petals are flavorful lightly steamed like spinach, or raw. Add them to salads, ice cream, and to the icing on a cake for a beautiful edible design.
Cattail
A USDA plant guide on the cattail notes that the raw shoots have the same flavor as cucumbers. You can even pickle them. However, if you steam them, then they taste like cabbage. Go down to the base of the stem and eat it boiled or roasted. Pull the part of the stem that's underground, the rhizome, out to enjoy a sweet flavor. Eat it raw, baked or broiled.
Lamb's Quarters
Whether it's a salad or a soup you're having, this edible weed can add some texture and flavor to it. Use only the young stems and leaves. Mature ones tend to be too tough to eat raw, and by the time you've cooked them to tenderness, they'll have lost their flavor.
Prickly Pear
The prickly pear cactus produces a yellow flower, but the part of the plant you eat is the green spiky pad. It's rich in fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins A, B and C. It tastes particularly good in spicy hot soups.
Cress
There are three types of cress in Oklahoma: watercress, spring cress and lyre-leaved rock cress. All three varieties have high vitamin C content, but are used in different ways. The lyre-leaved rock cress is both a condiment and a green vegetable. Watercress is good in salads, and you can also use the seeds the same way you use mustard seeds. If you like horseradish, then you'll enjoy the similar flavor of the spring cress root.
