Plant Profile: Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Karen This herbaceous perennial is native to North America where it grows in prairies, dry rocky woods, tickets, and abandoned areas in most of the US. It is a member of…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Common St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Common St. John’s wort is a herbaceous perennial known for its medicinal properties from ancient times. It is native to Europe, western Asian and North Africa where it occurs in…
Plants for a Mary Garden: 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, that also includes daisy, sunflower,…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Aegean Wallflower (Erysimum cheiri)
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: Common Stock (Matthiola incana aka Cheiranthus incanus)
This tender annual is native to coastal areas of southern Europe, from the Balearics to former Yugoslavia, and is a member of the mustard family, Cruciferae, that also includes turnip,…
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…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)
Also known as common poppy, field poppy, and Flanders poppy, this annual wildflower is native from Africa to temperate and tropical Asia and Europe, and is a member of the…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Carrot (Daucus carota)
The carrot is a herbaceous biennial in the parsley family, Apiaceae, that also included celery, anise, and parsnip. It is probably native to Persia where it was cultivated for its…
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…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis)
Also known as bay laural, this aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree is native to the Mediterranean region and a member of the laurel family, Lauraceae, that also includes sassafras,…