Flor de Izote

Izote is the national flower of El Salvador and a popular edible palm flower in Guatemala.

I was surprised to find Flor the Izote in Varna, Bulgaria. I saw pictures of this flowers before on Instagram, where I asked them whether they eat it or not. The answer was NO.

Since I took this picture, I was wondering, should I bring this home to make a proper stew?

бул. „Княгиня Мария Луиза“

Also known by the scienific name of Yucca guatemalensis . It is a shrub 3-10 m high, bark rough, thickened at the base. Creamy white flowers, so campanulate.

In today’s modern world of food from Fortune 500 name brands, not many of us eat flowers. We may raise flowers in our homes and gardens, but we don’t eat them.

I eat my flowers. Indeed. This is the yucca flower, the izote.

This yucca is actually a shrub. It is very common. The shrub can grow to the height of a two storey building easily (albeit slowly).

This picture was taken in front of the Archaeological Museum

Where do you find Flor de Izote?

Izote is found almost everywhere: humid Peten lowlands and dryer highlands of Guatemala, and everywhere in between. Izote is a very common plant around homes, in gardens, and as a living fence.

Izote flowers are readily available in native markets in many areas of Guatemala.

Also grows at elevations from 0 to 2500. In general flowering was observed from March to June. The plant is multiplied by seeds, cuttings and shoots. Tolerates dry, sandy soils, high temperatures and requires little irrigation. (Chízmar, 2009)

Culinary Uses

In addition to culinary uses this species is used as an ornamental plant living fence, as well as the decoction of the flowers are used as a diuretic. It is popular for its foliage and because it is easily propagated and tolerates arid conditions. From the center of the leaves, very young leaves (called candle) are extracted and used as a remedy for coughing. The inner part of the trunk is used in a decoction to treat kidney problems. (MacVean, 2009)

Salvadorean song, "Flor de Izote", dedicated to this flower.