Is This Plant Edible? A Native Plant Quiz!
Before we had grocery stores, gardens, or farms, people survived by foraging off the land. It may surprise you how many of our native plant species are perfectly edible! Test your knowledge of edible native plants with this quiz.
Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa)
Aronia, also known as Chokeberry, produces edible fruit that is typically used as an ornamental. While the berries can be eaten, most people find them a little too tart and astringent for fresh eating. However, aronia is so rich in antioxidants, it’s commonly processed into capsules and sold as a supplement at health food stores!
Edible
Inedible
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly Weed, also known as Milkweed, is the only food source of the Monarch butterfly. Unfortunately, it’s not a food source for people and is considered highly toxic.
Edible
Inedible
Red Sprite Winterberry (Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite')
The beautiful bright red berries of Red Sprite Winterberry are an important food source for winter birds, so leave these berries for them! All parts of this plant are toxic to humans.
Edible
Inedible
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
This one is a bit tricky. Fresh elderberries contain cyanide, which is poisonous when ingested. However, cooking removes the toxicity from the berries, and the cooked fruit can be used to make syrups, jellies, and liqueurs.
Edible
Inedible
Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)
While they may not look like the onions we’re used to, Nodding Onions are just as edible! These wild onions have been used in Native American cuisine for centuries.
Edible
Inedible
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
Pawpaws are the largest native fruit-bearing tree in North America! You’re unlikely to find pawpaws at the grocery store because their soft texture makes them difficult to ship without bruising. However, if you’re lucky enough to try a fresh one, the flesh has a delightful custard-like texture with a flavor similar to banana, pineapple, and mango.
Edible
Ineidible
Inkberry (Ilex glabra)
Inkberry is a part of the holly family, and like other hollies, the berries and evergreen foliage are toxic. However, the shrub is very attractive in the landscape and makes an excellent food source for bees and birds!
Edible
Inedible
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Best known for its delicious sap, otherwise known as maple syrup, the Sugar Maple actually has many edible parts! You can safely eat the leaves and samaras.
Edible
Inedible
Virginia rose (Rosa virginiana)
This gorgeous native flower looks too pretty to eat, but the rosehips are very high in vitamin C and make a delightful, fragrant tea. The flower petals are also edible as make a lovely garnish for desserts and cocktails.
Edible
Inedible
0–3 Correct
Aren’t you amazed by how many of these native plants are edible? This list only scratches the surface of all the amazing edible plants you can grow in your backyard!
4–6 Correct
Not bad! If a few of these edible native plants surprised you, you’ll be amazed by just how many are out there. You might even have some edible natives growing in your yard!
7–10 Correct
You must be a master forager! With all that knowledge, you could probably open a restaurant serving only edible native plants!