Plant Profile: Martegon Lily (Lilium chalcedonicum)
Karen Native to Tuscany, Greece, and Albania, this short-lived perennial bulb is a member of the lily family, Liliaceae, that also includes tulips and fritillaria. Plants grow 4-6′ tall and have…
Plants of the Bible: Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
Native to Africa, Middle East and India castor bean is a tender perennial that is very fast growing and quickly becomes a suckering shrub or small tree. Plants are well…
Edible Mushrooms: Beefsteak Mushroom (Fistulina hepatic)
Also known as jelly tongue, and ox tongue, this bracket fungus is )a parasite of oaks and.chestnut trees and can be found singly or in clusters in deciduous woods, parks,…
Plant Profile: Common Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)
Native to rocky regions of southwestern Asia, including parts of Turkey, northwestern Syria, Lebanon and northern Israel, the common hyacinth become known as the Dutch hyacinth when it was introduced…
Herbs for Medieval Physics Garden: Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum graecum)
This herbaceous annual was grown from ancient times and is native to the Mediterranean and Middle East, dating back to 4000 BC in Iraq. Also known as Greek hay it…
Plant Profile: Gum Arabic Tree (Acacia nilotica aka Vachellia nilotica)
Also known as babul, thorn mimosa, Egyptian acacia and thorny acacia this evergreen flowering tree or shrub is native to Africa, the Middle East, and India where it is found…
Plants of the Bible: Ivy (Hedera helix)
This evergreen climbing vine is a member of the Aralia family, Araliaceae, that also includes Fatsia and Schefflera and is native to most of Europe and western Asia where it…
Plants of Colonial Williamsburg: Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Also called Indian cress, this trailing annual is in the family Tropaeolaceae and is native to the Andes from Bolivia to Colombia. Plants grow 2-12″ tall or more with support…
Plant Profile: Stone Pine (Pinus pinea aka Apinus pinea)
Also known as umbrella pine and parasol pine, this coniferous evergreen tree is native to the Mediterranean region including southern Europe, Israel, Lebanon and Syria. It is a member of…
Beneficial Insects and How to Attract Them: Brown Lacewings
Brown lacewings are in the insect family Hemerobiidae and are more closely related to duskywings than to green lacewings. Although common world wild, brown lacewings are most abundant in North…