Plants of the Bible: Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
Karen 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…
Plant Profile: Sandarac Gum Tree (Tetraclinis articulata aka Callistris quadrivalis aka Thuja articulata)
Also called citrus wood by the ancient Romans, this evergreen shrub or small tree is native to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa and is a member of the cypress…
Plants of the Bible: Calamus (Acornus calamus)
This aquatic perennial goes by many name including beewort, flag root, gladdon, myrtle flag, sweet flag, pine root, sea sedge and sweet cane. It is native to Asia and Europe…
Plant Profile: Common St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Also called goatweed or Klamath weed, this herbaceous perennial is native to Europe, western Asian and North Africa where it occurs in a wide variety of habitats including pastures, meadows,…
Plant Profile: Sugar Cane (Saccharum officinarum)
Native to tropical southeast Asia, this tender perennial grass is a member of the Poaceae/Gramineae family that also includes corn, wheat, rice, and bamboo. The plants from a network of…
Plant Profile: Tiger Flower (Tigrida pavonia)
This tender perennial bulb is native to semitropical to semialpine climates of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Hondurus and is a member of the iris family, Iridaceae, that also includes…
Plant Profile: Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus tazzeta)
Also known as bunch-flowered narcissus, this herbaceous perennial is native to the Mediterranean from Portugal to Turkey but naturalized in many areas including the Middle East, Asia, Australia, South America…
Plant Profile: Indian Costus (Saussurea costus aka S. lappa)
Also known as kuth, putchuk, and kosht (קשט), this herbaceous perennial is native to high elevations (8,200 to 9,800 ft) in South Asia especially India and Kashmir. It is a…
Plant Profile: Holm Oak (Quercus ilex)
Also known has holly oak, this evergreen tree is native of the Mediterranean region and belongs to the beech family, Fagaceae, that also includes chestnut. The tree grows up 40-70′…