Prickly Pear
The prickly pear cactus may be the most important plant to know about if you are stranded in the desert. The oval-shaped "leaves," or pads, and the red fruit are edible. After removing the thorns from the leaves you can eat them raw. The fruit of this cactus contains some moisture and the inside is edible. Some varieties produce yellow flowers. The pads may be used as a substitute for treating sunburn. Cut the pad and press the moist inside to the affected skin. Prickly pear cactuses with orange-crossed thorns and unripe fruit are poisonous. Fruits are ripe when bright red.
Barrel Cactus
The barrel cactus looks like a barrel with thorns and bright yellow pineapples on top. Open the fruit and remove the seeds. The flesh is edible and can provide sustenance. The pulp of the barrel-shaped bottom can be used to treat rattlesnake bites.
Creosote Bush
This tall, brown bush has green stems with darker green leaves, and yellow flowers like daffodils.These bright yellow flowers are edible. You can chew or suck on the twigs to relieve thirst. Steeped leaves make a tea used to treat consumption and skin irritations.
Mustard
The mustard plant isn't commonly found in the Arizona desert, but does grow in some spots. Its seeds make the yellow mustard sitting in your fridge, and the top of the stalk and flowers are also edible. Wild mustard possess delicate four-leaf flowers and thick green stems.
