Plant Profile: Henna (Lawsonia inermis)
Karen Native to semi-arid and tropical areas of Africa, Asia, and northern Australia, this slender, much branched, evergreen shrub or small tree is also known as mignonette tree and Egyptian privet.…
Plant Profile: Sweet Flag (Acornum calamus)
This aquatic perennial goes by many name including beewort, calamus, flag root, gladdon, myrtle flag, pine root, sea sedge and sweet cane. It is native to Asia and Europe where…
Plants of the Bible: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus aka Curcurbita citrullus)
Archaeological and artistic evidence suggests that ancient Egyptians enjoyed eating watermelons over 3,500 years ago. A tiny fragment of a watermelon leaf as well as tomb paintings indicate that the…
Plants of Colonial Williamsburg: Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare aka F. officinale)
Fennel is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the carrot family, Apiaceae that also includes parsley, celery, and Queen Anne’s lace. It is native to the Mediterranean region region…
Plant Profile: German Iris (Iris Germanica)
Also known as bearded iris and common flag, this herbaceous perennial is native to the eastern Mediterranean and may be a natural hybrid between Iris pallida and Iris variegata. It…
Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives: Earleaf Acacia (Acacia auriculiformis)
Earleaf acacia, also known as wattle, is an evergreen tree native to Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea and is currently invasive in the pinelands, scrub, and hammocks of south…
Butterflies in the Garden and How to Attract Them: Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
The gray hairstreak is one of the most widely distributed butterflies in the US being absent only from the far North. They prefer open sunny sights such as coastal areas,…
Plants of the Bible: Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
The lotus is associated with Job in the Bible and some scholars have identified it as Nelumbo nucifera, the sacred lotus of Egyptian fame. It is an aquatic perennial native…
Using Auxins for Stem Cuttings
Auxins are plant hormones that can stimulate or inhibit growth. The most well-known naturally occurring auxin is indol-3-acetic acid (IAA) . Plants contain varying a mount of IAA and those…
Plant Profile: Bulrush (Cyperus papyrus)
Also known as paper reed and Nile grass, this tender aquatic herbaceous perennial is native to lakes, rivers and swamps of northern Africa, and was cultivated in the Nile Delta…