Claret Cup Cactus

Cactaceae

Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. melanacanthus

Claret Cup Hedgehog, mound cactus, king’s cup cactus, crimson hedgehog, heart twister, strawberry cactus, spinemound

The flowers and fruit of this cactus are edible and highly prized as the tastiest fruit in the Southwest. Like the other cacti on this list, the stems are a good source of water and can be used like Aloe spp.

Cliff Findlerbush

Saxifragaceae

Fendlera rupicola

The flowers and leaves are edible and the Navajo smoke the dried leaves and bark ceremonially. This bush is also a good source of starter wood for one of our most important natural products, fire.

Larkspur

Ranunculaceae

Delphinium spp.

Delphinium

The seeds are used for curing head lice and scabies. A tincture of vinegar, green soap or isopropyl alcohol may be used. Rub it into the hair and let stand for 10 minutes then rinse.

Maravilla

Nytaginaceae

Mirabilis multiflora

Mirabilis, Wild Four-O’Clock, Marvel of Peru, Quamoclidion multiflorum

The root can be chewed, drunk as a tea or powedered and eaten to reduce hunger, induce sleep or applied to inflamed joints and tendons.

Mountain Mahogany
Rosaceae
Cercocarpus spp.
Hard Hack, Palo Duro, Palo Ludo
The small twigs or leafy branches may be used in a tea (boiled for ½ hour) as a laxative or an aid in shrinking inflamed hemorrhoids. The branches may also be placed under your sleeping matt to repel bed bugs.

Penstemon
Scrophulariaceae
Penstemon spp.
Beardstongue

Used in the form of a salve or freshly applied in the field as a skin dressing for treatment or prevention of any epidermal irritation.

Pincushion Cactus

Cactaceae

Mammillaria spp.

Fisco cactus, corkseed cactus, fisco mammillaria, nipple cactus, cabeza del viejo

The flower petals and fruits are edible and the stems are a good source of water. The spines can be used for fishing hooks as the name implies. The flesh of the stems can also be used like Aloe spp. for burns and wounds.

Prickley-Pear Cactus

Cactaceae

Opuntia spp.

Tunas, nopalito, prickley-pear

Scorch or delicately peal the spines off the fruits or pads in the afternoon. Eat and enjoy! This cactus is an excellent source of food, water, and sweetness. The pads can also be applied to sunburns like Aloe spp. Considered a remedy for diabetes if consumed regularly.

Yerba de la Negrita

Malvaceae
Sphaeralcea coccinea & S. Cuspidata

Scarlet Globemallow, Sore Eye Poppy, Yerba del Negro

Makes a great shoe liner after a long day of hiking, poultice, sunburn remedy. The leaves and flowers are tasty and can be made into a tea for upset stomach or sore throat. Can also be used as a hair conditioner.

Yucca

Liliaceae

Yucca spp.
Amole, Spanish Bayonet, Joshua Tree, Dátil, Spanish Dagger

The root makes a great shampoo or soap. The inner root can be used as a laxative or relief of arthritis. Known to be a source of sterols.