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Fall · frost in ~88 d
Foraging around Las Vegas
AI field guide · refreshed weeklyFall Foraging in the Las Vegas Valley: September
In season now
Desert Chia (Salvia hispanica, Salvia columbariae)
Where: Bajadas, washes, and disturbed ground throughout the valley; look in open desert west and north of the city.
Small blue-purple flowers on spikes; harvest seeds in late September when seed heads turn brown and dry. Rub heads between palms over a cloth to collect tiny black seeds; eat raw, ground into flour, or soaked in water for a nutritious gel.
Look-alikes: Other Salvia species are edible but less productive; no toxic look-alikes among desert salvias.
Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata)
Where: Dry washes, bajadas, and rocky slopes; common in Red Rock Canyon area and throughout the valley.
Bright yellow daisy-like flowers bloom through fall; petals are edible with a mild, slightly peppery flavor. Pick fresh flowers in morning, use raw in salads or dried for tea.
Look-alikes: Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) has similar yellow flowers but hairy, coarser leaves; both are edible but marigold is more delicate.
Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica, O. phaeacantha)
Where: Widespread in washes, disturbed areas, and gardens; abundant near Red Rock Canyon and throughout the valley.
Flat, paddle-shaped stems (cladodes) with spines; harvest young green pads (nopales) or ripe red/purple fruits (tunas). Burn off spines over flame or scrape with a knife; pads are mild and mucilaginous, fruits are sweet.
Look-alikes: All Opuntia species in the region are edible; no toxic cacti resemble prickly pear.
Wolfberries / Desert Thorn (Lycium pallidum, L. andersonii)
Where: Washes, bajadas, and disturbed ground; common in the valley and foothills.
Small shrub with tiny pink or purple flowers; small red berries ripen in fall and persist on branches. Berries are tart and sweet; eat raw or dried for tea or cooking.
Look-alikes: Nightshade species (Solanum) have similar berries but are toxic; Lycium berries grow on thorny, woody shrubs with narrow leaves, not soft herbaceous plants.
Desert Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri, A. watsonii)
Where: Washes, disturbed ground, and field margins; common in the valley.
Tall annual with small reddish or greenish flower clusters; seeds are tiny and prolific. Collect seed heads in late September, dry, rub to separate seeds from chaff, then grind or cook whole as a grain.
Look-alikes: Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) is also edible; no toxic amaranths in the region.
Desert Ironwood Pods (Olneya tesota)
Where: Washes and bajadas in the southern valley and foothills; less common north of Las Vegas.
Legume tree with hard, woody seed pods ripening in late summer and fall. Pods contain hard seeds; crack open and grind seeds into flour for a protein-rich meal, or boil pods for a nutritious broth.
Look-alikes: Mesquite pods (Prosopis spp.) are also edible and more common; both are legumes and safe to eat.
Coming soon
Mesquite Pods (Prosopis glandulosa, P. pubescens)
Flat, tan seed pods ripen in October–November; sweet pulp can be eaten fresh or ground into flour.
Desert Hackberry (Celtis pallida)
Small orange-red drupes ripen in fall; sweet and edible raw or dried.
Creosote Bush Seeds (Larrea tridentata)
Fuzzy seed pods mature in late fall; seeds are edible and have a resinous, aromatic flavor.
Safety in this area
- Stay off private land without permission; much of the valley is privately owned. Public lands include Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Valley of Fire State Park, and BLM land—check access rules before foraging.
- No bears in the Las Vegas area, but watch for rattlesnakes in washes and rocky areas, especially in early morning and dusk. Wear boots and watch where you step.
- Poison ivy is rare in the Mojave Desert but can occur in riparian areas; learn to identify it (three leaflets, shiny, reddish in fall). Giant hogweed does not occur in Nevada.
- Desert ticks (especially wood ticks) are active in fall; check your body and clothing after foraging, especially in washes and brush. Wear long sleeves and pants in tick season.
Foraging information is educational. Confirm every identification with a regional field guide or expert before eating anything wild.
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