Native Edibles: A Food Plant Guide for Southern California Lawns and Gardens

"Native Edibles - A Food Plant Guide for Southern California Lawns and Gardens" is a necessary addition to the literature on native plants especially those specific to the Southern California region. While many well known books about native plants focus exclusively on their medicinal value, "Native Edibles" sets itself apart in that it highlights native plants as a valuable food source i.e. native edibles.

Gardening with native food plants (and or supporting individuals and businesses that do) is considered to be one of the most effective ways to deal with some of today's most pressing concerns. As a result, the study of native edible plants and their potential positive impact on the health of our ecological environment (including wildlife), the economy, and us humans is not only timely but critical.

Forty-one plant profiles outline some of the most important native food plants i.e. plants known to have existed when the first Southern Californians and early settlers inhabited the land. Profiles include a beautiful color image and plant description as well as information about each plant's growth patterns, edibility, nutritional value, culinary uses and its impact on the local wildlife.

Native edibles are the plants of the future!

Beverly Evan Treadwell, Ph.D.
Master Gardener Volunteer
California Naturalist