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THE VEGGIE INDEX
Explore plant foods from around the world, organized by plant family and crop type.
! ! ! UNDER CONSTRUCTION ! ! !
Currently it's just me filling in this index as I can between work and life, so it'll be a while before it's complete. But I'd love for this to be an open-source resource for the community that we can build together. If you know of plant foods that aren't yet on here, reach out and let me know!
Enjoy :)
THE 5 PLANT FAMILY GROUPS
The attempt to categorize life is a silly thing we humans like to do, but here I am having made a plant index! In general, these five groups are useful in navigating and conceptualizing the immense web of plant foods beloved around the world.
Mostly Aquatic
Edible plant foods that dwell in the water, either entirely or mostly submerged for the majority of the year.
Mostly Arid
Cacti, and other plants adapted to arid ecosystems and deserts, package up precious sugars and moisture into delicious fruits and vegetables.
Mostly Temperate
Edible plant foods that grow primarily in temperate regions that experience some level of frost in the winter.
Mostly Tropical
Edible plant foods that grow primarily in tropical and sub-tropical areas that hardly or never freeze.
Top Twelve
The vast majority of plant foods eaten around the world fall into these top twelve plant families.
THE TOP TWELVE
Explore the top twelve plant families that contain the greatest diversity of edible plant foods.
Amaranthaceae
GRAINS & SEED HEADS
Amaranth, Beetberry (Strawberry Spinach), Huauzontle, Quinoa
GREENS & ROOTS
Beets, Beet Greens, Chard, Chinese Spinach, Epazote, Orach, Quintonil, Spinach
Brassicaceae
FLORETS
Broccoli, Broccolini, Cauliflower, Fioretto, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Raab, Romanesco
BUDS
Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Napa Cabbage, Kalettes
COLLARDS & KALES
MUSTARDS & ASIAN GREENS
Arugula, Bekana, Bok Choy, Chinese Broccoli, Red Mustard, Chinese Mustard, Yu Choy, Purple Choi, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Watercress
ROOTS & STEMS
Horseradish, Kohlrabi, Maca, Radishes, Rutabaga, Turnips, Wasabi
SEEDS & FLOWERS
Canola, Mustard Seed, Virginia Pepperweed
Poaceae
CORN
Flint Corn, Flour Corn, Popcorn, Sweet Corn
GRAINS
Adley (Job’s Tears), Barley, Millet, Oats, Rice, Rye, Sorghum (Broom Corn), Teff, Wheat
SHOOTS
Bamboo Shoots, Lemon Grass, Sugar Cane
Amaryllidaceae
BULBS
Cipollini Onions, Elephant Garlic, Garlic, Leeks, Onions, Shallots
GREEN ONIONS
Calcots, Chives, Ramps, Scallions
SCAPES, FLOWERS, & BULBILS
Bulbils, Chive Blossoms, Garlic Scapes, Leek Scapes
Cucurbitaceae
CUCUMBERS & OTHER CUCURBITS
Bitter Melon, Cucumber, Horned (Jelly) Melon, Luffa Squash, Sour Gherkins
MELONS
Banana Melon, Canary, Cantaloupe, Charentais, Honeydew, Honey Orange, Kajari Melon, Korean Melon (Chamoe), Long Watermelon, Piel de Sapo, Rich Sweetness, Watermelon, et al.
SUMMER SQUASH
Ball Types, Calabash (Opo Squash), Chayote (Patastilla), Costata, Magda, Moqua, Ridge Gourd (Luffa), Patty Pan, Zucchini, Squash Blossoms, et al.
WINTER SQUASH
Acorn, Black Futsu, Hubbard, Buttercup, Butternut, Delicata, Kabocha, Pumpkin, Spaghetti Squash, Tetsukabuto, et al.
Rosaceae
BERRIES
Aronia Berries, Blackberries et al., Raspberries, Salmonberries, Strawberries, Tayberries
POME FRUIT
Apples, Asian Pears, Loquat, Medlar, Pears, Quince, Rowan Berries
STONE FRUIT
Almonds; Apricots & Apriums; Cherries; Peaches & Nectarines; Plums, Pluots, & Pluerries
FLOWERS: Rosehips & Roses
Apiaceae
HERBS & SHOOTS
Angelica, Anise, Celery, Cham-namul, Chervil, Cicely, Cilantro, Culantro, Dill, Fennel, Lovage, Mitsuba, Parsley
ROOTS
Arracacha, Carrots, Celeriac (Celery Root), Parsley Root, Parsnips
SEEDS
Caraway, Coriander, Cumin
Fabaceae
BEANS, PEAS, & LENTILS
Dried Beans (many), Beach Peas, Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans), Fava Beans, Green Beans, Lentils, Lima Beans, Peanuts, Peas, Pigeon Peas, Romano Beans, Soy Beans (Edamame)
GREENS
Chipilín, Clover, Fava Tops, Pea Tops
TREE PODS & FLOWERS
Black Locust Flowers, Carab Pods, Ice Cream Bean, Mesquite Beans, Tamarind, Wisteria
ROOTS & TUBERS
Jícama, Licorice, Timpsula
SPICES: Fenugreek
Rutaceae
Blood Orange, Buddha's Hand (Fingered Citron), Calamansi, Chinotto, Citron, Curry Leaves, Finger Lime, Grapefruit, Kumquat, Lemon, Lime, Limequat, Mandarin, Orange, Pomelo, Satsuma, Tangelo, Tangerine, Wampee, White Sapote (Cochitzapotl), Yuzu
Asteraceae
CHICORIES & BITTERS
Belgian Endive, Celtuce, Costa Rossa, Dandelion, Frisée, Escarole, Puntarelle, Radicchios, Treviso, Sugarloaf, et al.
FLOWERS & HERBS
Artichoke, Cardoon, Calendula, Chrysanthemum, Longevity Spinach, Okinowan Spinach, Pápalo, Pipicha, Sochan, Spilanthes, Sunflower, Tarragon
LETTUCES
ROOTS
Chicory Root, Salsify, Scorzonera, Sunchokes, Yacón
Lamiaceae
Anise Hyssop, Basil, Catnip, Cuban Oregano (Mexican Mint), Korean Mint, Lavender, Lemon balm, Marjoram, Mint, Nepitella, Oregano, Perilla (Shiso), Rosemary, Sage, Salvia, Thyme
Solanaceae
SOLANACEOUS FRUITS
Cocona, Ground Cherries, Naranjilla (Lulo), Pepino Dulce, Dwarf Tomarillos, Tamarillos
TOMATOES & TOMATILLOS
Cherry Tomatoes, Romas, Slicers, Heirlooms, Tomatillos
EGGPLANT & POTATOES
GREENS & HERBS
Ashwaganda, Hierba Mora, Tobacco, Quistán
PEPPERS
Sweet, Mini, Warm, Spicy, Fire