Flor De Izote

Flor de Izote Or Yucca flower (not to be confused with Yucca Root) Also known by the names of Yucca Elephantipes; there are several species of this flower, but the one mostly used is one with no thorns, It is the National Flower of El Salvador. it was known to be their national flower for the longest time, but it had not been made official until 1995 when it was declared by a legislative decree. It was first named National Flower in 1939 along with the national tree and the national shrub, but it is believed that it was not made official at the time.

This is a palm like plant that grows well in dry areas and does not need much water to grow. In several places in Guatemala, it is grown as a fence at the edge of front yards. It can grow as tall as 30 feet or more with time. Blooming happens mostly around springtime. One stem contains several flowers, and all parts of the flower are edible.

The Izote Flower is known to be a delicious edible flower that accentuates many central American dishes. From a stew to tamales or patties with eggs, there are several recipes that can be made with this flower. The flower is white with about ten petals. What is interesting bout this flower is that as a national flower you would expect it to be reserved or prohibited from harvest. But because it is such a popular plat it is allowed to be used and harvested for meals. In sone places it is even sold by the pound, one curious note about his plant is that not every Salvadorean enjoys it as a meal. Some do grow it just to enjoy its beauty.

There are also some who say that the plant contains a medicinal benefit for people with cysts. That Drinking a scup of tea made from the flower inner seeds can help in the healing or dissolving a cyst. More needs to be researched about this plant and its benefits. I only found that if you Google Flor de Izote you will find a long list of restaurants with that name or a similarity of it, followed by hundreds of recipes for the flor in a variety of dishes. In los Angeles California there is a garden that harvests this flower and sells it buy the pound. Many central American families that now live in the US, have begun to grow the plant on their yards to be able to enjoy it in their meals. It is beautiful plant to have on the yard, its green/gray base makes beautiful contrast to the blue ski in the spring and well into the summer.

Because it is a very adaptable plant it can be found in many countries and the reaction by a central American native is always the same “I can make this into a meal”

The uses of this plant are not just for cooking but for textiles decoration and medicinal. I myself have enjoyed many a meal until I got married and was asked not to eat it but to enjoy its beauty.

The Flor de Izote can be found almost everywhere now and I can’t help by wonder if the seeds have been brought across the world by nature itself wanting to share the delectable of such a delicious and beautiful plant.

I have yet to find one here in my city but as soon as one is spotted, I might make my way to the property owner to ask if I maybe get some seeds to plan one in our home. It makes for a beautiful plant to decorate the yard and it does not require much water to maintain. Great for desert gardens.