View photos of the edible plant Peritoma jonesii (Jones’ beeplant), profiled in Wild Edible Plants of Arizona.
A passage from Wild Edible Plants of Arizona:
Mustard–like in taste (like others of the Peritoma/Cleome genera) the young foliage, flowers, and green pods are eaten fresh as a garnish or salad ingredient. Larger amounts can be consumed once sautéed or boiled.
View photos of the edible plant Peritoma serrulata [Cleome serrulata] (Beeplant), profiled in the Wild Edible Series: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.
A passage from Wild Edible Plants of Arizona:
The young leaves, flowers, and pods (green/flexible) are gathered mid–summer. Eat these parts fresh (limited) as a spicy/mustard–like salad addition. Better yet, simmer them for 5–10 minutes and rinse with fresh water.
A passage from Wild Edible Plants of Colorado:
Beeplant is a large annual herb of the western mountain states. It’s found nearly statewide throughout Colorado.
A passage from Wild Edible Plants of New Mexico:
Beeplant is not significantly medicinal, nor are there any cautions for the plant (aside from cautions common to all mustard oil containing plants – see Jewel flower). The Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache utilized Beeplant as an edible due to its abundance and non–toxicity.
A passage from Wild Edible Plants of Utah:
The young pods (seeds still unformed) are pickled like capers, though this will remove much of the pod’s natural spiciness.
View photos of the edible plant Wislizenia refracta (Spectacle fruit), profiled in Wild Edible Plants of Arizona.
A passage from Wild Edible Plants of Arizona:
Like Beeplant and Jones’ beeplant, Spectacle fruit is an edible Mustard–like green. Consumed fresh (leaf–flower–fruit) it is pungent–spicy, necessitating its judicious use.
