We have the Mojave Desert which goes from southern California into Mexico and we have the Great Basin that covers much of Utah and Nevada and these are just two examples. Regardless of the desert, the flora is quite diverse and there are plants that grow only in the desert regions.
Some of these plants are arid edibles that you can make good use of if food is scarce. Knowing some of these plants will enhance your survival knowledge, it will provide a glimpse on how Native Americans used to live with what the land had to offer and most importantly, these arid edibles might save your life one day.
Here is a list with the arid edibles you should harvest and use if you are stranded in the desert.
Wild arid edibles
Arid edibles – Wild Rhubarb (Rumex hymenosepalus)
The leaves taste sour and you must collect the youngest ones to make spinach-type dishes. They are best boiled and you have to change the first water and cook them again to obtain a mild dish. The mature seeds are also edible and they were used by the Native Americans as an additional ingredient for soup type dishes.
Arid edibles – Chia (Salvia columbariae)
The seeds of the desert chia are a good source of protein and July is the perfect month to gather them. Although they are not the same seeds as the ones sold in the stores, the golden chia seeds can be used just the same. You can add them to drinks and coffee, tossed into a salad or added to bread.
Related reading: Wild Edibles – Summer foraging
Arid edibles – Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis)
Native Americans have used jojoba oil for cooking, hair care and as a healing aid for many medical problems. The Indians used to grind and roast the seeds and make them into a beverage. Hunters and raiders ate jojoba on the trail to keep hunger at bay.
Arid edibles – Mormon Tea (Ephedra spp.)
The twigs of this plant can be brewed in water to make a pleasant beverage and the tea has many medicinal proprieties. The Mormons used the tea to relieve difficult breathing conditions caused by asthma.
You may also like: Survival Food from the coastline – Edible seaweeds
Arid edibles – Yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei)
The Native Americans used this plant extensively and the fiber from the leaves was used for sandals, cloth, and rope. The flowers can be boiled and then seasoned, or added to flour and formed into paddies. Also, young fruits are good boiled or roasted. The root is not edible so do not waste your time digging for it.
Arid edibles – Palo Verde (Parkinsonia microphylla)
The Seri people used this tree to supplement their food source. They used to consume both seeds and flowers. The seeds were grounded into flower and used for cakes or biscuits.
Arid edibles – Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa)
This is an important survival plant because it fruits even during drought years. The fruits can be eaten when mature and can be ground into meal for sweet flower, to make drinks and bread. The hardwood was also used by the Seri people to make arrow points.
Arid edibles – Cactus (Opuntia spp)
The Tequesta Indians used to roll the fruit in the sand and then burn it over the flame of a campfire. In Mexican folk medicine, the pulp and the juice of the cactus were highly valued. They were used to treat wounds and inflammation of the digestive tract.
Arid edibles – California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera)
The small black fruits have a hard seed surrounded by the sweet thin flesh. The fruit of the fan palm was eaten raw, cooked, or ground into flour for cakes. Southern Paiutes have written memories of using this palm’s seed, fruit or leaves for various purposes including starvation food.
Arid edibles – Indian Cabbage (Caulanthus inflatus)
Conclusion
These are the arid edibles that you should look for if you get stranded in the desert. These plants can become a good source of food if nothing else is available and you should learn about how to identify them.
These plants were used by the Native Americans and some of them are widely used even today. This proves even more how important they are in a hostile environment like the desert.
Other resources:
The LOST WAYS (The vital self-sufficiency lessons our great grand-fathers left us)
Drought USA (Secure unlimited fresh, clean water) – A DIY Project.
Survival MD (Knowledge to survive any medical crisis situation)
Bullet Proof Home (Learn how to Safeguard your Home)
These are good tips .. should include buffalo gourds. goats can eat the leaves and both goats, chickens, cows and humans can eat the seeds which contain a lot of oil to run your diesel car..