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…
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…
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…
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…
Plant Profile: Arabian Balsam Tree (Commiphora gileadensis aka C. opobalsamum)
This evergreen shrub or small tree is found in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, southern Oman, Sudan and in southeast Egypt and is a member of the torchwood family, Burseraceae, that also…
Plants of the Bible: Henna (Lawsonia inermis)
Native to semi-arid and tropical areas of Africa, Asia, and northern Australia, this slender, much branched, evergreen shrub or small tree is also known as mignonette tree and Egyptian privet.…
Plant Profile: Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii var. splendens aka Euphorbia splendens)
Native to Madagascar, this evergreen semi-succulent shrub is a member of the spurge family, Euphorbaceae, that also includes pointsettia, croton, and castor oil plant. The plants grow up to 6′…
Plant Profile: St. Mary’s Thistle (Silybum marianum)
Known by many names including holy thistle, milk thistle and our Lady’s thistle, this annual or biennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, tht also includes daisy, sunflower,…
Plants of the Bible: Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
This upright evergreen shrub grown in the Mediterranean area since ancient times is a member of the Myrtaceae family that also includes clove and eucalyptus. It grows up to 30′…
Plant Profile: Common Bird’s-Foot Trefold (Lotus corniculatus)
Also known as eggs and bacon and birdsfoot deervetch this herbaceous perennial is native to the grasslands of Eurasia and North Africa but has naturalized in the US and is…