Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Aegean Wallflower (Erysimum cheiri)
Karen Native to Greece, this perennial subshrub is often grown as an annual or biennial It is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, alyssum, and common…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Chickpea (Cicer arientinum)
Also known as carbanzo bean, chickpea is an annual in the legume family, Fabaceae, that also include lupine, acacia, and scotch broom. It was domesticated about 7500 years ago and…
Drought Tolerant Plants: Annuals and Perennials with Blue, Lavender and Purple Flowers
Water is essential for plant growth but plants vary greatly in their need for it. Since the amount of water on earth is finite but the demand is not, we…
Book Review: Herbal Antibiotics
Karen Meyers In his book Herbal Antibiotics, author Stephen Harrod Buhner explains the need for using herbal antibiotics rather than pharmaceuticals for treating disease-resistant bacteria, and gives detailed information on herbal treatments.…
Poisonous Plants: Black Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger)
Also known as stinking nightshade, this herbaceous annual or biennial is native to rocky arid areas of Europe and Asia and is a member of the nightshade family, Solanaceae, that…
Poisonous Plants: Four-O’Clock (Mirabilis jalapa)
Native to the dry tropical regions of North, Central, and South America, this herbaceous perennial, also known as marvel of Peru and is a member of the plant family Nyctaginaceae…
Plant Profile: Gloriosa Lily (Gloriosa superba)
Also known as flame lily, climbing lily, creeping lily, glory lily, tiger claw, agnishikha and fire lily, this deciduous perennial vine is native to tropical and southern Africa and temperate…
Plant Profile: Black Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger)
Also known as stinking nightshade, this herbaceous annual or biennial is native to rocky, arid areas of Europe and Asia and is a member of the Solanaceae, nightshade family, that…
Poisonous Plants: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Also known as Canada puccoon, bloodwort, redroot, red puccoon, Indian paint, and black paste, bloodroot is a member of the poppy family, Papaveraceae, that also includes bleeding heart, greater celandine,…
Plants of the Bible: Judean Sage (Salvia judaica)
Native to Mediterranean woodlands and shrub lands, this tender herbaceous perennial is a member of the deadnettle family, Lamiaceae, that also includes mint, rosemary, and beebalm. The plants grow up…