Tag: Wildflower foraging

Over 70 species of *Myosotis*, or true forget-me-nots, exist worldwide, with some being used as a decorative garnish for food. Before adding these delicate flowers to your dish, it is crucial to understand the risks, as some species and look-alikes contain hepatotoxic compounds. This guide provides comprehensive information on which varieties may be safe to consume and which you should avoid.

Native American tribes have long utilized the leaves and flowers of the prairie coneflower, also known as the Mexican hat flower ($$Ratibida columnifera$$), to create a pleasant-tasting tea. However, foragers must exercise extreme caution because a completely different and highly toxic succulent, called the Mexican hat plant ($$Kalanchoe daigremontiana$$), shares the same common name.

Despite their bright, cheerful appearance, all parts of the creeping buttercup plant (Ranunculus repens) are toxic to humans and animals. The plant contains a compound called ranunculin, which breaks down into the poisonous irritant protoanemonin when the plant is crushed or chewed. Never attempt to eat creeping buttercup flowers or any part of the plant.

Indigenous Californians historically used parts of the golden poppy for food and medicine. However, modern foraging requires caution: is the California poppy safe to eat for everyone, and which parts are truly safe to consume?