Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_13.gif)
Monday - June 06, 2005
From: Bountiful, UT
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Edible Plants
Title: Smarty Plants on edible and poisonous plants
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am trying to gather information regarding edible and poisonous plants in Utah's Salt Lake City area. Can you help? Thanks.ANSWER:
We don't have anything specific on edible and poisonous plants of Utah's Salt Lake City area, but I can offer a strategy to pull together this information. A search on Amazon.com for "edible plants west" gives several choices. You can read reviews of Wild Edible Plants of Western North America by Donald Kirk and Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West by Gregory L. Tilford. The Forest Shop lists a bibliography on the subject of edible and medicinal plants as well as poisonous plants. Another search on Amazon.com for "poisonous plants west" came up with Common Poisonous Plants of Utah and the Intermountain West but, unfortunately, it is out of print. It might be possible to find a used copy, however. There is also listed Field Guide to Plants Poisonous to Livestock: Western U.S. that is in print.There are several online databases for poisonous plants:
1) Cornell University Poisonous Plants Informational Database,
2) Purdue University Indiana Plants Poisonous to Livestock and Pets,
3) University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Library Plants Toxic to Animals, and
4) North Carolina State University Poisonous Plants of North Carolina.
On the Native Plant Bibliography page on the Wildflower Center web page you can find a native plant bibliography for the Rocky Mountain Region by clicking on that region on the map. You can also search by keyword, author, or subject (Utah, for instance). You can also download a 4-page PDF file of the Native Plant Bibliography for the Rocky Mountains on the Regional Fastpacks page. So, by combining your resources, what you have here is a do-it-yourself guide to edible and poisonous plants of Utah.
More Edible Plants Questions
Medicinal qualities of Monarda clinopodioides
June 19, 2007 - Monarda clinopodioides Gray
basil beebalm
Could you tell me if the above-mentioned plant is edible or has any medicinal use?
view the full question and answer
Are wild sweet peas edible?
August 05, 2010 - Are wild sweet peas edible?
Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Wine from Ampelopsis arborea?
September 06, 2006 - Hello, can you eat or make wine from the fruit of Ampelopsis arborea? I have found a few vines that are very fruitful and are ready to pick!
view the full question and answer
Fruiting times of native trees and shrubs in the Pacific Norhwest
December 30, 2013 - I am looking for information on fruiting/seeds/nuts times of native trees and shrubs in the Pacific Northwest. Obviously they fruit after they bloom but all I can find is very general information such...
view the full question and answer
Edible native salad ingredients
May 28, 2009 - Hi, I'm hoping to make a salad for a school Horticulture project, but I'm having a hard time finding some edible plants. I live in Vermont, and am hoping to find some edible flowers and 'weeds' a...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |