Every month, we add new plants to the database as part of the US Southwest Expansion. In June 2026, we added 17 new plants to the database as part of this expansion, bringing the total to 384 plants completed so…
Understanding plant families can help gardeners, foragers, herbalists, food forest designers and plant lovers see useful plants in a more connected way. Table of Contents Key Takeaways Introduction: The Day the Garden Started Making Sense What Is a Plant Family?…
Buckwheat is the common name for several edible and useful plants, especially species in the Polygonaceae family. The best-known is Fagopyrum esculentum , the grain-like crop used in soba noodles, pancakes, groats, and gluten-free flour. But the name also applies…
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…
