Edible Weeds

Clover - A nutritious edible weed
Clover(part of "Edible Weeds in Los Angeles")
Information, folklore, recipes, and resources -- all about the delicious, nutritious clover plant. Clover is one of the most famous of weeds, commonly sharing space with grass in lawns. Clover is viewed by many as having folkloric and religious symbolism, but it can also be viewed as a food! The types of clover I see most often growing here in Los Angeles are white clover and red clover. This page will look at both of these species. (White clover photographed in a yard in Lynwood.)

Edible weeds in Los Angeles: A guide to the nutritious wild plants that are all around us
My personal guideto wild foods
A lot of people think of weeds as undesirables that have no purpose but to ruin our lawns. But many of the wild plants that we see around us are edible, tasty, and highly nutritious. Free, organic vegetables growing right at our feet! The varieties of wild edibles we find will vary from one region to another. These pages are dedicated to the common edible weeds that I find around me in the urban neighborhoods of the greater Los Angeles area. (Plantago major, photographed on a sidewalk in Car...

Dandelions - A nutritious edible weed
Dandelions(part of "Edible Weeds in Los Angeles")
Information, recipes and fun, all related to the lovely dandelion. Dandelions are one of the world's most famous weeds. To a lot of people, in fact, they are the poster girl for all weeds. While they are the targets of wrath from many, they are also useful edible plants, one of the favorites of wild food foragers. Let's get to know dandelions a little better. (The dandelion plant in this photo was growing in the back of our house.)

Mallows - A nutritious edible weed
Mallows(part of "Edible Weeds in Los Angeles")
Facts, fun, and recipes, all about the common mallow plant. Mallows are an annual plant, and sometimes they are nowhere to be seen. But when mallows are in season, they dominate the streets here in Los Angeles, tall and plentiful. Mallows are an enemy to the well-manicured lawn, but a friend to foragers. My son, JG, loves mallows. They're one of his favorite vegetables. (I took this photo in my back yard in December 2009. An abundant winter rain brought us these beautiful mallows.)

Stinging nettle - A nutritious edible weed
Stinging Nettle(part of "Edible Weeds in Los Angeles")
Information, recipes, folklore and fun, all about the wickedly fascinating stinging nettle plant. What is the stinging nettle? A friend or foe? When used correctly, stinging nettle can benefit your health and your palate. But it can be unkind if you rub it the wrong way (literally). The best-known characteristic of nettle is the burning sting that can come from touching the plant. Why then, do we even bother with it? Because it is a powerhouse of nutrition and is known for its medicinal ben...

Chickweed - A nutritious edible weed
Chickweed(part of "Edible Weeds in Los Angeles")
Fun facts and recipes, all about the dainty chickweed. Chickweed is a beautiful, delicate, and tasty herb. It's less visible during the hottest months of the year, but it's a treat when it's around. One of my very favorite salad greens. (I took this picture of some chickweed growing on a sidewalk in Carson.)

Wood sorrel - A nutritious edible weed
Wood Sorrel(part of "Edible Weeds in Los Angeles")
I photographed this lovely patch of flowering yellow wood sorrel in a yard in Carson. Wood sorrel is one of my favorite edible wild plants. It's lemony taste is a great addition to a morning salad. Wood sorrel is found all over the Los Angeles area. If you keep your eyes open you're bound to encounter it.

Sow thistles - A nutritious edible weed
Sow thistle(part of "Edible weeds in Los Angeles")
Information, recipes, and fun facts about one of my favorite weeds, the sow thistle. Sow thistle is one of the most plentiful wild plants you'll see in the Los Angeles area. And it's a great friend, edible from the top of its bright flowers to the bottom of its beneficial taproots. So let's take some time to get better acquainted with the sow thistle. (Photo taken in my yard)

Purslane - A nutritious edible weed
Purslane(part of "Edible Weeds in Los Angeles")
The minute you look at purslane, you can tell that it wants you to eat it. The plump leaves and stems give an obvious invitation. It's a sturdy one, growing in huge patches at the edges of yards and sidewalks, a treasure to urban foragers. This web page brings you purslane facts and purslane recipes to bolster your appreciation of this virtuous wild plant. Photo taken on a sidewalk in Lynwood. All photos on this page were taken by me, except one.

Nettle-leaf goosefoot - A nutritious edible weed
Nettle-Leaf goosefoot(part of "Edible Weeds in Los Angeles")
This oddly named weed, nettle-leaf goosefoot, is one of the low-profile members of the Amaranth family, the Chenopodiaceae. It is less talked about than other members of its genus, but it is plentiful here in Los Angeles. Frequently seen in yards and on roadsides, it stands ready to serve in your stewpot. This photo was taken in a yard in Lynwood (yes, that's my finger on the lens). All other photos currently on this page are from Wikimedia Commons.