List of Vegetable Crops: IV. Examples of Flower and Seed Vegetables

Below is a table containing a partial list of vegetable crops grown in different parts of the world. Specifically, the list provides examples of flower vegetables and seed vegetables.

These are crop plants from which edible flowers (flowers or entire inflorescences)  and seeds are commonly used in the preparation of vegetable dishes.

These plant organs, as well as fruits, are reproductive parts rather than vegetative (the root, stem, and leaves).

The examples given for flower vegetables are not exhaustive.

In addition to those highlighted by Peel (2004) under major types of vegetables, the following were also listed as having edible flowers: viola (Viola odorata), nasturtium (Tropaaeolum majus), calendula (Calendula officinalis), carnation (Dianthus spp.), daisy (Bellis perennis), elderflower, roses, and sunflower (Helianthus annuus).

To further view a list of plants with edible flowers, click here.

The same goes for the list of vegetables with edible seeds.

Take note also that with the exception of corn or maize the listed seed vegetables are legumes.

Click here to read the terminology on types of vegetables.

Table LV-5. List of vegetable crops which are sources of edible flowers and seeds for culinary use.

CROP NAMESCIENTIFIC NAMEFAMILYCOLLECTIVE NAME FOR MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY, OTHER INFO
EXAMPLES OF FLOWER VEGETABLES
Artichoke, globe artichokeCynara scolymusAsteraceae/CompositaeSunflower or Aster family
BroccoliBrassica sp.,
scientific name is being verified
Brassicaceae/CruciferaeMustard family; inflorescence buds are the edible parts.
CauliflowerBrassica sp.,
scientific name is being verified
Brassicaceae/CruciferaeMustard family; inflorescence buds are the edible parts.
Cooking banana, plantain, cardavaMusa sp.MusaceaeBanana family; largely grown for mature fruits but the male inflorescence is used as an ingredient in the preparation of many vegetable dishes; timely removal of the male inflorescence from developing fruit bunches is an established practice in banana plantations.
West Indian pea, agati, katuraySesbania grandifloraFabaceae/LeguminosaeBean/Pea family, also called Legumes; newly opened flowers are harvested
EXAMPLES OF SEED VEGETABLES
Corn, maizeZea maysPoaceae/GramineaeGrass Family; succulent seeds are often scraped from young ears. Includes the thin outer enveloping part of each seed which is botanically a fruit.
Cowpea, Black-eyed peascientific name is being verifiedFabaceae/LeguminosaeBean/Pea family, also called Legumes
Fava beanVicia fabaFabaceae/LeguminosaeBean/Pea family
Lima bean, pataniPhaseolus lunatusFabaceae/LeguminosaeBean/Pea family
Hyacinth bean, batawDolichos lablab syn. Lablab purpureusFabaceae/LeguminosaeBean/Pea family
Kidney beanPhaseolus vulgarisFabaceae/LeguminosaeBean/Pea family
Mung bean, mungbean, mungoVigna radiataFabaceae/LeguminosaeBean/Pea family
Pea, garden pea, snap peaPisum sativumFabaceae/LeguminosaeBean/Pea family
Pigeon pea, kadiosCajanus cajanFabaceae/LeguminosaeBean/Pea family
String bean, stringbean, pole sitao, yardlong beanVigna unguiculataFabaceae/LeguminosaeBean/Pea family, succulent seeds are often extracted from semi-mature pods

REFERENCES

  1. HILL A. 1972. Economic Botany. 2nd ed. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. Ltd. 560 p.
  2. PEEL L. 2004. HarperCollins Practical Gardener: Kitchen Garden. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. 176 p.
  3. SIMPSON MG. 2010. Plant Systematics. 2nd ed. San Diego, CA: Elsevier Inc. 740 p.
  4. The Essential Gardening Encyclopedia. 2003. San Francisco, CA: Fog City Press. 608 p.
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Ben Bareja

Ben Bareja, the owner-founder-webmaster of CropsReview.com. This website was conceptualized primarily to serve as an e-library for reference purposes on the principles and practices in crop science, including basic botany. Read more here

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