Plant Profile: Indian Tobacco (Lobelia inflata)
Karen Also known as puke weed, this herbaceous annual or biennial is native to eastern North America from southeastern Canada, south to Alabama and west to Kansas, where it grows in…
Book Review: Fairy Gardening
Fairy Gardening, by Julie Bawden-Davis and Beverly Turner offers an exciting adventure into the world of fairy gardens. With abundant photographs, the authors provide a guide to creating these miniature…
Common Diseases of Corn and Their Control: Rust
Karen Meyers The most common corn rust is caused by the fungus Puccinia sorghi and usually appears after tasseling as dark, reddish-brown pustules on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves.…
Plant Profile: Moonseed (Menispermum canadense)
Also known as yellow parilla, this twining woody perennial vine is native to thickets, moist woods, and stream banks of eastern North America, from southern Canada to northern Florida, and…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Garlic (Allium sativum)
Native to central Asia and northeastern Iran, garlic is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, that also includes onion, leek, and shallot. It was cultivated…
Plant Profile: Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus aka S. rivularis)
Also known as waxberry, this deciduous flowering shrub is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigelia, scabiosa, and abelia. It is native to North America where…
Book Review: High Tea
If the title, High Tea, conjures up ladies enjoying scones and finger sandwiches accompanied by Earl Grey tea you will be surprised by Diana Isaiou’s book. As a food stylist…
Poisonous Plants: Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor)
This tender perennial vine is native to the new World tropics and is a member of the Convolvulaceae family that also includes sweet potato, cypress vine, and dodder. Usually grown…
Plant Profile: Bitter melon (Momordica charantia)
Known by many names including bitter apple, bitter gourd, bitter squash, and balsam-pear, this herbaceous tropical to subtropical, annual vine is native to Africa and Asia and is widely grown…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Downy Oak (Quercus pubescens)
Native to dry, lime-rich soils of southern Europe, parts of central Europe, and southwest Asia, this deciduous tree thrives in submediterranean climates where summers are dry and hot and the…