Echinocereus, commonly known as hedgehog cactus, is a genus of small, spiny, drought-tolerant cacti from the American Southwest, Mexico, and nearby drylands. Several species produce edible fruits, support pollinators, and are useful in xeriscape gardens, wildlife plantings, and dryland food…
The Primulaceae, or primrose family, includes far more than ornamental spring flowers. It contains useful plants with edible leaves, edible flowers, medicinal traditions, and practical garden value. Well-known members such as Primula vulgaris and Primula veris offer edible blossoms and…
Clover is not just one plant. The common name “clover” is used for a wide range of species—some closely related, others only loosely connected—that share similar leaves, flowers, or uses. Many belong to the Fabaceae (pea family), while a few…
Many of the vegetables we eat today—including cabbage, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, turnips, and bok choy—developed from wild plants in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Through centuries of human selection, these wild plants evolved into the diverse brassica vegetables we know today.…
Amaranth is both an ancient cultivated grain and a highly nutritious leafy vegetable. Several species of Amaranthus are rated 5/5 for edibility in the Plants For A Future (PFAF) database. These plants produce protein-rich seeds, mineral-dense greens, and thrive in…
Agaves: Edible and Medicinal Desert Plants for Climate-Resilient Landscapes Agaves are among the most important edible plants ever developed in arid environments. These slow-growing perennials store large reserves of energy in their hearts, allowing them to function as dependable food…
Thistles sit at a surprising crossroads between noxious weed and useful food crop: many are edible, some are excellent vegetables or medicinal plants, and a few are best left alone unless you know exactly what you are doing. Their story…
The genus Chenopodium, commonly known as goosefoots, includes a wide range of plants that have fed people for thousands of years. While many species are now dismissed as weeds, others remain important food plants—used for leafy greens, grain-like seeds, and…
Plants For A Future (PFAF) is delighted to announce a significant update to our free online plant database: an extensive project introducing 946 new and updated entries focused on plants of the American Southwest, including 570 fully revised profiles and…
Many temperate gardens are shifting toward summer-dry, winter-wet conditions: hotter spells, longer dry periods, surprise frosts, and stronger winds. That’s challenging—but also an opportunity to grow delicious, resilient plants that love this pattern. What’s changing—and why it matters to edible…
