Eating wild plants can be risky if you don’t know exactly what you’re eating. While some wild flowers are edible, others can cause reactions ranging from mild to severe. It’s important to properly identify any plant before consuming it.
Can you eat any purple flower?
No, not all purple flowers are edible. Just because a flower is purple doesn’t automatically mean it’s safe to eat. Some examples of potentially toxic purple flowers include:
- Foxglove
- Larkspur
- Monkshood
- Purple morning glory
These flowers contain toxic compounds that can cause issues like stomach upset, heart problems, and nervous system damage if ingested. Never eat a wild flower unless you’ve confirmed the exact species and edibility.
What are some edible purple wildflowers?
There are a number of purple wildflowers that are safe to eat when properly identified. Some examples include:
- Violets – The leaves and flowers are edible and often used in salads or to make jelly. Make sure not to eat too many as they contain saponins.
- Pansies – The flowers and leaves are edible and mildly flavored. They may cause allergic reactions in some people.
- Clovers – The flowers range from purple to pink to white depending on species. Clovers have edible leaves and flowers.
- Chicory – The pretty purple flowers and leaves of common chicory are edible and closely related to endive.
- Daylilies – The buds and flowers are edible and have a sweet, vegetable-like taste. They are high in vitamin C.
- Purple deadnettle – The leaves and flowers have a minty flavor great for teas and salads.
When eating any edible wild flower, it’s recommended to start with small quantities to check for any adverse reactions.
How to identify wild purple edible flowers
Properly identifying any wild plant is crucial before considering eating it. Here are some tips for positively identifying safe, edible purple wildflowers:
- Use a wildflower field guide or plant identification app to confirm the exact species.
- Compare several characteristics like the shape, color, size, leaf pattern, stem, habitat, etc.
- Only collect where you know no pesticides or herbicides have been used.
- Avoid flowers with milky or colored sap as this may indicate toxicity.
- Start with small quantities and look for any adverse reactions.
- Make sure the flower has not been handled or contaminated by dogs/people.
When in doubt, avoid eating any wildflower unless you have expertise identifying plants. It’s better to be safe than accidentally consume a toxic plant.
Are wild violets edible?
Yes, wild violets are edible and enjoyed by many foragers and chefs. There are several violet species found growing wild, but two common ones are:
- Common Blue Violet – Has five-petaled, purple-blue flowers and heart-shaped leaves. Grows wild in lawns and meadows.
- Wild White Violet – Features white five-petaled flowers and heart-shaped leaves. Grows in damp, shady areas.
All parts of wild violets are edible. The flowers have a sweet, perfumed flavor and are pretty as garnishes or in salads. The leaves have a mild green taste and can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach.
Eat wild violets in moderation as they contain saponins that may cause stomach upset if overconsumed. Make sure to correctly identify the plant as some violet lookalikes are toxic.
Using wild violets
Try these ways to use the edible parts of wild violets:
- Add flowers to salads, soups, baked goods for color and flavor
- Infuse the flowers in vinegar or syrup for pretty violet-flavored condiments
- Candy the flowers by coating in egg white and sugar
- Craft floral candies by coating the flowers in melted chocolate
- Flavor desserts like ice cream, sugars, and jellies with the flowers
- Make a tea from the leaves, flowers, or both mixed
- Cook young leaves as a spinach substitute
- Ferment the flowers to make wild violet wine
What parts of wild pansies are edible?
Both the leaves and flowers of wild pansies are edible and can be consumed in small amounts. Some details on eating each part:
Pansy flowers
- The petals have a mild, grassy or wintergreen flavor.
- Add them raw to salads, soups, desserts or use as a garnish.
- Can be cooked briefly in a sauté or stew at the end.
- Remove the bitter sepals and reproductive parts before eating the petals.
- May cause skin irritation or digestive issues in some due to plant compounds like saponins.
Pansy leaves
- The young leaves have a fresh, mild taste when harvested in spring.
- Older leaves become tougher and more bitter.
- Add raw to salads, sandwiches, green smoothies.
- Saute lightly or add to soups at the end.
- Contains vitamin C, beta carotene, and trace minerals.
- May cause contact dermatitis in some people – test a small amount first.
Consume pansy leaves and flowers in moderation to check for any negative reactions. Properly identify the exact species before eating as some pansy lookalikes can cause toxicity.
Are clover flowers edible?
Yes, clover flowers are edible and provide flavor and nutrients. Over 300 species of clover grow wild worldwide in lawns, meadows, and along roadsides. Some have colorful flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, and white.
All clover flowers are technically edible, though some people find the taste unpleasant. The flowers have a mildly sweet, honey-like flavor when harvested at peak bloom. Unopened clover flower buds can be eaten as well.
Clover flowers may cause allergic reactions in some people who are sensitive to plants in the legume family. Introduce them in small amounts at first. Avoid eating clover flowers sprayed by pesticides or near roadsides.
Try adding the petite colorful flowers to salads, soups, drinks, and desserts. Or dry the flowers and use as an herbal tea or baking ingredient. The edible flowers provide antioxidants like anthocyanins, plus small amounts of vitamins and minerals.
Types of edible clover flowers
Some clovers with edible flowers include:
- Red clover – Has rounded bright pink/purple flower heads
- White clover – Bears white or pale pink rounded flowers
- Crimson clover – Features elongated magenta flower spikes
- Sweet clover – Has conical white or yellow fragrant flowers
Remember to properly identify the exact clover species before consuming as some types like burr clover may cause reactions for some people.
Can you eat chicory flowers?
Yes, the pretty blue flowers and leaves of wild chicory are edible and popular among foragers. Chicory grows as a roadside weed and has sky blue flowers that open during the day.
The chicory flower petals have a mild, lightly bitter taste compared to the more bitter leaves. The petals can be used:
- As a garnish on salads, soups, cheese boards
- In ice cubes or infused in drinks
- Candied or coated in sugar
- Added to baked goods like cookies for color and flavor
Chicory leaves and roots are also edible and commonly used as salad greens or a coffee substitute when roasted. Make sure to properly identify wild chicory and don’t eat plants that may have been treated with herbicides.
What parts of daylilies are edible?
Both the flowers and buds of wild daylilies are edible and tasty. Daylilies grow wild along roadsides and fields and come in a variety of flower colors including purple.
Here are some tips on eating daylily flowers and buds:
- The buds taste similar to green beans and can be sautéed, added to stir fries, etc.
- The flower petals have a sweet, citrusy flavor great in salads or as a garnish.
- Remove the bitter flower pistils before eating the petals raw or cooked.
- Petals can be breaded and fried for a crispy snack or tempura.
- Stuff flowers with cheese, rice, herbs for an attractive appetizer.
- Add to soups, omelets, pasta at the end for color and texture.
- Can be made into jelly or fermented into daylily wine.
While daylily flowers are tasty edible flowers, the leaves and roots are known to cause GI upset and should be avoided.
Are purple deadnettle flowers edible?
Yes, the flowers and leaves of purple deadnettle can both be eaten. This delicate purple wildflower grows in yards, orchards, roadsides and disturbed areas.
The small purple flowers have a mild, slightly sweet taste. Try adding them to:
- Salads
- Sandwiches
- Soups
- Pesto
- Herbal teas
- Parsley or sage replacement
The leaves have a flavor similar to mint and can be used either raw or cooked. They contain vitamin C, iron, and antioxidants. Note that deadnettle stems have an unpleasant texture.
Be sure to properly identify purple deadnettle before eating as some lookalikes can cause toxicity. Introduce in small amounts at first to check for any allergic reactions.
Toxic purple wildflowers to avoid
While certain purple wildflowers are edible, others are very toxic and should be avoided. Some dangerous purple wildflowers include:
Foxglove
All parts of foxglove are highly toxic. Ingesting any part of this tall, tube-shaped purple flower can cause heart problems, stomach distress, dizziness, and other very serious effects.
Larkspur
Another toxic purple flower, larkspur contains poisonous alkaloids that can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness, and nervous system damage.
Monkshood
Also called wolfsbane, monkshood has purple hooded-shaped flowers. The plant is extremely toxic and can be fatal if ingested. It affects the nervous system, digestive system, and heart.
Purple morning glory
The showy morning glory flower is toxic and contains compounds that can cause hallucinations if a large amount is consumed. It also has laxative effects.
It’s critical to be 100% certain you have accurately identified any wildflower before considering eating it. When in doubt, avoid ingesting the plant.
Safety precautions for eating wild flowers
If you want to forage edible wildflowers, make sure to take the following safety precautions:
- Positively identify the flower against a wildflower guide and by examining several characteristics.
- Only collect where you know no herbicides, pesticides or other chemicals have been used.
- Avoid flowers near roadways which may be contaminated by car exhaust.
- Wash flowers thoroughly in case of animal contamination.
- Eat flowers in moderation at first to check for any allergic reactions.
- Don’t eat flowers handled by others as plant oils can trigger reactions.
- Don’t eat flowers that have discoloration or signs of wilting/rot.
- Watch for any adverse symptoms after consuming the flowers.
- If in doubt, don’t eat the wildflower!
Conclusion
Many wild purple flowers are edible and provide flavor, color, and nutrients. Eating wild plants has become more popular. However, it’s absolutely critical to confirm the exact identification of any wildflower before consuming it.
While flowers like violets, pansies, and chicory are considered safe to eat, lookalikes plants like foxglove are extremely toxic. Start by eating a small amount of any new edible flower and watch for any negative reactions. Avoid plants that may have been sprayed with chemicals.
With proper identification and care, foraging for wild edible purple flowers like clovers, daylilies, and deadnettles can be an enjoyable and healthy addition to your diet. When in doubt, stick to flowers you know are safe to eat.
