Plants of the Bible: Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus)
Karen Endemic to the dry deciduous forests in the southern Eastern Ghats in South India, red sandlewood is also know as red sanders, Rakt Chandan, and saunderswood, and is a member…
Plants of Colonial Williamsburg: Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)
Also called scarlet or Virginia strawberry, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes apples, lady’s mantle, and pyracantha. It is native to eastern…
Plants of the Bible: Red Acacia (Vachellia seyal aka Acacia seyal)
Also known as shittah tree, this evergreen tree is native to parts of northern Africa including Senegal, and Egypt where it grows in woodlands, wooded grassland, subtropical and tropical deserts,…
Plants of the Bible: Winter Crocus (Crocus hyemalis)
Native to rocky areas and undergrowth of Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria, this perennial corm is a member of the iris family, Iridaceae, that also includes gladiolus, crocosmia, and blue-eyed…
Plants of the Bible: Desert Tamarix (Tamarix tetragyna)
Also known as 4-stamen tamarix and salt cedar, this evergreen tree is native to coastal areas of the eastern Mediterrean, Iran and the Arabian Peninsula where it grows in sandy…
Plants of Williamsburg: Horseradish ( Armoracia rusticana aka Cochlearia armoracia)
This herbaceous perennial is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes broccoli, alyssum, and stock. It’s origin is obscure but it is believed to be native to…
Plants of the Bible: Crocus cancellatus
This perennial corm is native from southern Turkey to southwest Syria but found on rocky hillsides and open woods from North Africa to Palestine and Armenia. It is a member…
Plants of the Bible: White Egyptian Lotus (Nymphae lotus)
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 Colonial Williamsburg: Rue (Ruta graveolens)
Also called herb of grace, rue is an evergreen mounding subshrub and a member of the Rutaceae family that also includes oranges, limes, and skimmia. It is native to the…
Plants of the Bible: Mediterranean Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
Native to the eastern Mediterranean region including parts of North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, this evergreen coniferous tree is also known as Italian cypress, Tuscan cypress, Persian cypress,…