Plant Profile: Sugar Cane (Saccharum officinarum)
Karen 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′…
Plant Profile: Cassia (Cinnamomum cassia)
Also known as Chinese cinnamon, this evergreen tree is native to southern China and used there for 5000 years. It is a member of the laurel family, Lauracaea, that also…
Plant Profile: Levant Cotton (Gossypium herbaceum)
Native to the semi-arid regions of northern Africa, Asia Minor and India, this perennial shrub is a member of the mallow family, Malvaceae, that also includes coffee, okra, and hollyhock.…
Plants of the Bible: Apricot (Prunus armeniaca)
Native to central Asia, this deciduous small tree is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes cherry, almond, and lady’s mantle. The trees grow 26-39′ tall and…
Plant Profile: Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)
Also known a Ceylon cinnamon tree, this small evergreen tree is native to Sri Lanka and a member of the Laural family, Lauraceae, that also includes avocado and cassia. The…
Plant Profile: Common Grape (Vitis vinifera)
Also called European grape, this deciduous woody vine is native to the riversides and damp woos in the Mediterranean region including central Europe, southwestern Asia, and north Africa, and was…