Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Ivy (Hedera helix)
Karen This evergreen climbing vine is a member of the Aralia family, Araliaceae, that also includes Fatsia and Schefflera. It is native to most of Europe and western Asia where it…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Pear (Pyrus communis)
Native to Europe, this deciduous tree is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes cherry, apple, and lady’s mantle. Although remains of pear have been found in…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Pigeon Bean (Vicia faba var. minor
Pigeon bean is a cool weather perennial grown as an annual and member of the pea family, Fabaceae, that also includes lupines, mimosa, and black locust. Is is one of…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Fig (Ficus carica)
Native to the Middle East and Asia this deciduous shrub or small tree is a member of the mulberry family, Moraceae, that also includes banyan, breadfruit, and Osage-orange. The edible…
Plants of Ancient Pompei: Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium)
Also known as wild cherry, and bird cherry, this deciduous flowering tree is native to Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern Asia, and is the main ancestor of the cultivated cherry.…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum)
The opium poppy is a herbaceous annual native to Greece and western Asia and is a member of the poppy family, Papaverceae, that also includes bleeding heart and corydalis. It…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Gallic Rose (Rosa gallica)
Rosa gallica is probably the oldest rose in existence. Native to southern and central Europe, it was first domesticated by the ancient Greeks and Romans and most modern roses can…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Field Pansy (Viola arvensis)
Also called johnny jump up, this herbaceous annual is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, and a member of the violet family, Violaceae. The ancient Roman naturalist, Pliny…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Giant Bindweed (Calystegia silvatica ?)
A fresco in the House of the Golden Bracelet shows a vine with heart shaped leaves and white trumpet-shaped flowers. This plant has been identified by some scholars as a…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Lentil (Lens culinaris aka Lens esculenta)
Lentil is an annual and a member of the bean family, Fabaceae, that also includes lupines, alfalfa, and black locust. It was first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent by 6,000…