Plant Profile: White Egyptian Lotus (Nymphae lotus)
Karen Also known as tiger lotus, Egyptian white water lily, and white lotus, this aquatic fresh water perennial is a member of the water lily family, Nymphaceae, a small family of…
Plants of the Bible: Tumbling Saltbush (Atriplex rosea)
Also known as red orach, redscale, and tumbling orach, this annual shurb is native to Eurasia but as been introduced to many areas including the US especially in the West.…
Genus: Sisyrinchium (Blue-Eyed Grass) for the garden
Sisyrinchium is a genus of of about 200 species of annuals and herbaceous perennials native to the New World. The plants are not grasses and are in the iris family,…
Plant Profile: Western Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)
Native to moist grassy areas and woodlands of California and Oregon west of the Sierra Nevada, this semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial is not a true grass but is in the iris…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Native Americans smoked it in ceremonial pipes, modern Americans use it for many things from treating urinary tract problems to skin lightening, but bearberry is most valued as an outstanding…
Plant Profile: Atriplex dimorphostegia
This annual shrub is a member of the Amaranthaceae family that also includes spinach, beet, and celosia. It is native to western Asia from Arabia to Afghanistan and Tibet where…
Plants of the Bible: Thyine Wood (Tetraclinis articulata aka Callistris quadrivalis aka Thuja articulata)
Also called citrus wood by the ancient Romans, this evergreen shrub or small tree is native to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa and is a member of the cypress…
Plant Profile: Crocus cancellatus
This perennial corm is native to areas from southern Turkey to southwest Syria but is found on rocky hillsides and open woods from North Africa to Palestine and Armenia. It…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Hog Peanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata)
Hog peanut is an unusual vine because it has two kinds of flowers and two kinds of fruits. The upper flowers are produced in 2″ long clusters of 2-15 in…
Plant Profile: Syrian Oregano (Origanum syriacum aka O. maru aka Majorana syriaca)
Also known as bible hyssop, Syrian marjoram, and Lebanese oregano, this tender perennial herb is native to the Middle East and is a member of the deadnettle family, Lamiaceae, that…