About This Quiz
This floral quiz is full of flowers and foliage!
Plant life is essential to us as humans. In fact, whether directly or indirectly, we all in some way end up getting virtually all of our energy from plants (which in turn get their energy from the sun), since the animals that we eat get their energy from plants in some way or the other.
Throughout all of human history, plants have been a source of sustenance. Even long before the advent of farming, early humans still gathered plant materials to eat. However, we have always had to make sure that we take care to eat plant materials that are safe since so many of them can make us sick or even kill us.
While everyone knows about the wide array of fruits and vegetables that are edible, not many people are aware of the fact that countless flowers are actually tasty (and good for you!) as well. In this quiz we've gathered together a handful of some often most notable edible flowers; do you think that you can identify them all? Who knows, maybe you have a few of them in your garden! Let's jump right in and see if you can name them all correctly.
The lavender plant is also known by the scientific name Lavandula (which encompasses 47 different species) and it notably has edible flowers. The flower has several culinary applications; whether decorative or to add flavor.
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Also known by its scientific name Helianthus annuus, the sunflower plant is notable for having edible flowers. While the seeds are the best-known part of the plant when it comes to nutritional value, the petals themselves are also edible.
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The daylily plant is also known by the scientific name Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus and it also notably has edible flowers. These flowers are used in several Chinese dishes; including moo shu pork and Buddha's delight.
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Also known by its scientific name Monarda didyma, the bergamot plant is notable for having edible flowers. Several parts of the plant were used by Native Americans for medicinal and culinary purposes, with the plant even being able to treat skin infections.
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The common sage plant is also known by the scientific name Salvia officinalis and it also notably has edible flowers. It especially has historical importance in Britain, where it is considered to be one of the country’s most important herbs (alongside thyme, rosemary, and parsley).
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Also known by its scientific name Lonicera japonica, the Japanese honeysuckle plant is notable for having edible flowers. The flowers are praised for their sweet taste and animals like rabbits, hummingbirds, and deer also love them.
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The French marigold plant is also known by the scientific name Tagetes patula and it also notably has edible flowers. It is primarily used in the Caucasus and also in parts of the Indian subcontinent.
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Also known by its scientific name Thymus, the thyme plant is notable for having edible flowers. It is by far one of the most iconic and commonly used culinary herbs in the world.
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The rose plant is also known by the scientific name Rosa (a genus of several distinct plants) and it also notably has edible flowers. The petals and buds are used to add flavor to food or make teas, and candied rose petals are also eaten in some cultures.
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Also known by its scientific name Abelmoschus esculentus, the okra plant is notable for having edible flowers. While the green seed pods are the primary source of food from the plant, the mature flowers also do have minor culinary uses as well.
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The lilac plant is also known by the scientific name Syringa vulgaris and it also notably has edible flowers. While the plant has some culinary use, it is primarily viewed as an ornamental plant.
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Also known by its scientific name Sambucus canadensis, the American elderberry plant is notable for having edible flowers. Only the flower and the berries are edible; other parts of the plant (like the stems, roots, and leaves) are actually toxic.
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The signet marigold plant is also known by the scientific name Tagetes tenuifolia and it also notably has edible flowers. The main purpose of the flowers is to be used as a garnish.
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Also known by its scientific name Tulipa, the tulip plant is notable for having edible flowers. The tulip is one of the most widely cultivated flowers, with the Netherlands alone producing approximately 3 million bulbs each year.
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The fennel plant is also known by the scientific name Foeniculum vulgare and it also notably has edible flowers. In addition to the flowers, the seeds and foliage also have culinary uses.
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Also known by its scientific name Phalaenopsis, the moth orchid plant has edible flowers. It is one of the most popular orchids and is native to the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, China, and parts of Australia.
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The Indian cress plant is also known by the scientific name Tropaeolum majus and it has edible flowers. It is primarily used in salads and stir fry.
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Also known by its scientific name Dianthus, the carnation plant is notable for having edible flowers. They are added to salads or more frequently seen as a cake decoration.
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The asparagus plant is also known by the scientific name Asparagus officinalis and it has edible flowers. Asparagus is also notable for its historic medicinal uses, primarily due to its diuretic properties.
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Also known by its scientific name Ocimum basilicum, the basil plant is notable for having edible flowers. While the leaves are more popular in the culinary world, the flower buds are also sought after for their subtler flavor.
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The chicory plant is also known by the scientific name Cichorium intybus and it has edible flowers. Chicory has countless nicknames; including coffeeweed, horseweed, blue daisy, ragged sailors, and blue dandelion.
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Also known by its scientific name Allium schoenoprasum, the chives plant is notable for having edible flowers. It is a close relative of the shallot, garlic, leek, Chinese onion, and scallion.
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The common daisy plant is also known by the scientific name Bellis perennis and it also notably has edible flowers. Petals and flower buds can actually be eaten raw and are used in soups, sandwiches and salads.
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The marshmallow plant is also known by the scientific name Althaea officinalis and it also notably has edible flowers. The flowers can be eaten raw but they are oftentimes boiled or fried.
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Also known by its scientific name Tilia, the linden plant is notable for having edible flowers. In its entirety the tree is extremely useful; serving a source of timber, having edible leaves and flowers, and also being important to herbalism.
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The pineapple sage plant is also known by the scientific name Salvia elegans and it also notably has edible flowers. Both the leaves and lowers can be eaten and they can treat high blood pressure and anxiety.
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Also known by its scientific name Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion plant is notable for having edible flowers. While the greens are what many people primarily use in the culinary world, the flowers can be eaten, and they are often used to make dandelion flower jam and dandelion-flavored wine.
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The red clover plant is also known by the scientific name Trifolium pratense and it also notably has edible flowers. It can be used to make herbal tea and is particularly important in traditional Indian medicine.
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Also known by its scientific name Borago officinalis, the starflower plant is notable for having edible flowers. However, the plant is often grown for the edible leaves or for the oil that can be extracted from its seeds.
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The arugula plant is also known by the scientific name Eruca sativa and it also notably has edible flowers. It is used extensively in Italy, where it is often seen being added to pizzas near the end of baking or to pasta dishes.
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Also known by its scientific name Calendula officinalis, the marigold plant is notable for having edible flowers. The leaves are also technically edible, but they are not considered to be palatable.
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The common violet plant is also known by the scientific name Viola odorata and it also notably has edible flowers. However, the most common historical use of the flower is the production of fragrances and perfumes.
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Also known by its scientific name Galium odoratum, the woodruff plant is notable for having edible flowers. The flower is most often seen being used in potpourri.
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The chamomile plant is also known by the scientific name Matricaria chamomilla and it also notably has edible flowers. It is used in traditional medicine as a sleep aid or to treat irritable bowel syndrome.
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Also known by its scientific name Chrysanthemum morifolium, the chrysanthemum plant is notable for having edible flowers. It can be used to make tea and add flavor to rice wine.
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The Chinese hibiscus plant is also known by the scientific name Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and it also notably has edible flowers. In addition to their medicinal uses in traditional Chinese medicine, it is also used in salads in the Pacific Islands.
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Also known by its scientific name Pelargonium, the geranium plant is notable for having edible flowers. While the flower has some uses in herbal medicine, it is far more popularly used for ornamental purposes.
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The rosemary plant is also known by the scientific name Rosmarinus officinalis and it also notably has edible flowers. However, in the culinary world, the leaves are more widely used – flavoring certain foods and also in stuffing for meats.
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Also known by its scientific name Centaurea cyanus, the cornflower plant is notable for having edible flowers. These flowers are often just used to add variety to salads or decorate other foods.
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