Edible Fruit Flowers in Texas

Eastern Redbud

• The eastern redbud, a native of Central and East Texas, is one of spring's early bloomers, prized as an ornamental tree with its profusion of bright reddish purple flowers. Although the leaves are toxic, both the buds and the flowers are edible raw or cooked. The seed pods are also edible, best if stir-fried, and a medicinal tea may be made from the bark and roots.

Pineapple Guava

• Also known as feijoa, this ornamental fruiting shrub or small tree grows well in Texas gardens and produces showy pink and white edible flowers. The petals of the flowers may be eaten raw in salads or other dishes, or used as a garnish. After flowering, the plant produces a small kiwilike fruit that is also edible.

Texas Plum

• Several plum trees native to Texas feature edible flowers as well as fruit, especially the native Mexican plum and cultivated varieties such as the Methley and Morris. All product fragrant, edible flowers that can be used as garnishes or in salads. The familiar fruit may be eaten raw, though some varieties are too sour and better when made into jams and jellies.

Turk's Cap

• Sometimes called bleeding heart or Mexican apple, the bright red turk's cap is a pretty and edible Texas native. Many children fondly remember sucking the sweet nectar from the base of the blooms, which also attracts bees and hummingbirds. The edible flowers can not only be eaten, or used as a garnish, but also are made into a decoction said to be good for the digestive tract and female problems. The small red fruit is edible both raw and cooked, has a somewhat mealy texture, and tastes a bit like an apple.