Rocky mountain beeplant
Cleomella serrulata

Family: Cleomaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 1 m tall.

There are about 150 Cleome species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is often on sandy soils in plains and lower mountain regions. It is damaged by frost. It can grow on a range of wel-drained soils. It can tolerate light shade. It can be in dry or moist soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

North America, USA

How it is used for food

Young leaves, shoots and flowers are eaten as a potherb. They are first boiled in several changes of water. The seeds can be ground into meal for porridge or bread. The seedpods can be boiled and eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, flowers

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds. Seeds need to be very shallowly planted. Seedlings can be transplanted.

Its other names

Local names

Clammy weed, Stinking clover

Synonyms

Atalanta serrulata (Pursh) Raf.; Cleome inomata Greene; Cleome integrifolia Torr. & A. Gray; Pericla imbricata Raf.; Peritoma angusta (M. E. Jones) Rydb.; Peritoma inomata (Greene) Greene; Peritoma integrifolia Nutt.; Peritoma serrulata (Pursh) DC.;