Plants of the Bible: Yellow Flag (Iris pseudacornus)
Karen Also called water flag, this herbaceous perennial is a beardless rhizomatous iris native to the wetlands of Europe, western Asia and northwest Africa where it forms large colonies. It is…
Plants of Colonial Willimasburg: Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium aka Chrysanthemum parthenium aka Pyrethrum parthenium aka Matricaria parthenium )
Feverfew is a bushy, aromatic biennial or short-lived perennial and a member of the aster family, Asteracea, that also includes sunflower, yarrow, and lettuce. It is native to the Balkans…
Plant Profile: Giraffe’s Knee (Gonatopus boivinii aka Zamioculcas boivinii)
Native to sand forests and deciduous forests of eastern and southeastern Africa, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the arum family, Araceae, that also includes peace lily, jack-in-the-pulpit, and…
Plant Profile: Common Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Also known as maypop, wild apricot, and wild passion vine this perennial deciduous flowering vine is native to Southeastern US where it grows near riverbanks and in thickets and disturbed…
Plants of the Bible: Tarthuth aka Juniper Roots (Cynomorium coccineum)
Also known as Maltese fungus, Maltese mushroom, desert thumb, red thumb, and tarthuth, this perennial plant is not a fungus or even closely related to fungi. It is a flowering…
Weeds and Their Control: Flowering Rush (Butomos umbellata)
Also called grass rush, this aquatic perennial is native to in Eurasia and Africa where it grows in the margins of still and slowly moving water including lakes, riparian zones,…
Weeds and Their Control: Wayfaring tree (Viburnum lantana)
Wayfaring tree is a large deciduous shrub growing up to 15’ tall and wide and a member of the moschatel family, Adoxaceae, that also includes elders (Sambucus). It is native…
Plant Profile: Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris aka Onoclea struthiopteris)
Native to eastern North America, Europe, and eastern Asia, this clump-forming, deciduous fern is a member of the Onocleaceae, a small plant family of ferns distinguished by having two kinds…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Cardinal Vine (Ipomoea multifida)
If you like dainty red flowers on a lacy, fern-like vine, you will love cardinal vine. But watch out; if you plant it in a spot that it likes you…
Plant Profile: Tumble Thistle (Guendelia tournefortii)
Native to the semi-desert areas of the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle-East this herbaceous perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow and lettuce.…