Yellow Spiderflower (Cleome lutea)

Family: Capparidaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Cleome lutea is a ANNUAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young shoots - cooked. Seed - ground into a meal and used as a flour. — Young shoots - cooked.; Seed - ground into a meal and used as a flour.

Habitat & North American Range

Sandy soils on desert plains to lower montane valleys, it is also found on sandy flatland. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)