Author: Sylvia

Romanesco broccoli, botanically classified as Brassica oleracea ‘Romanesco,’ grows on a cool weather plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family along with cauliflower, mustard, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, mustard, kale, and numerous other edible plants. The plant is native to Eastern Mediterranean and was imported into Italy at the end of the 16th century. From there it migrated north into Germany and France. Also known as Romanesco broccoli and Romanesco cauliflower in the United States, Romanesco cabbage in Italy, and broccolo Romanesco in France, romanesco is a close cousin of broccoli and cauliflower and grows similarly with a central floret…

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Jamaica cherry scientifically known as Muntingia calabura is a fast-growing small evergreen belong to genus Muntingia L. (muntingia) of the Elaeocarpaceae (Elaeocarpus family). The plant is native to southern Mexico, Central America, tropical South America, the Greater Antilles, St. Vincent and Trinidad. It is widely cultivated in warm areas of the New World and in India, south-east Asia, Malaya, Indonesia, and the Philippines, in many places so thoroughly naturalized that it is thought by the local people to be native. Few of the popular common names of the plant are Strawberry Tree, Panama berry, Jamaican cherry, Bajelly tree and Singapore…

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Green onions usually are premature onions; collected ahead of the bulb has a opportunity to grow. They’ve got a less severe flavor as compared to onions and therefore are frequently utilized to boost the taste of dishes. Consists of quercetin, an anti-oxidant which has anti-histamine qualities. A folk treatment for common colds demands gnawing the newly chosen stem to break up mucous. A green onion consists of chemical substances which melts phlegm. Choose fresh new green stems along with firm white bulbs. Stores within the refrigerator for approximately a week. Also referred to as spring onions or even scallions. Green…

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Black oat with a scientific name Avena strigosa is an annual grass belongs to Avena L. (oat) genus of Poaceae ⁄ Gramineae (Grass family). The plant is native to temperate areas of Europe and is used mostly for forage for its good nutritive value and productivity. This plant is often cultivated as animal feed in the south Brazil, and it is sometimes reported as a weed. Few of the popular common names of the plant are Black oat, Bristle oat, Sand oat, Small oat, Gray oat, lopsided oat and small oat. The plant used to be cultivated as human food…

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Prunus padus, commonly called Bird cherry, is a deciduous ornamental cherry tree belongs to Prunus-genus of Rosaceae-family. The plant is native to Europe and northern Asia, and has also been stated from Morocco in North Africa. Its range in Europe extends from northern Scandinavia, where it reaches the shore of the Arctic Ocean, to the northwest of Italy and the mountains of Spain and Portugal, although it is absent from the Mediterranean coastal region and the west of France. It occurs from Ireland and the UK eastwards to Croatia and Bulgaria, and then through northern Russia, the Caucasus region and…

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Red cabbage scientifically known as Brassica oleracea is also called blue kraut, purple cabbage or red kraut . It is a multi-layered vegetable from Brassicaceae family and Brassica genus and is closely linked to broccoli, brussels sprouts and cauliflower and savoy cabbage. It can be found in America, Northern Europe and parts of China. It isn’t clear about the exact development of its native location is, however it is a sprout of the traditional cabbage species. It has dark red/purple leaves. The plant normally changes its color according to the pH value of soil. Leaves normally grow more reddish in…

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Houttuynia cordata, also known as Chameleon Plant, fish mint, fish leaf is one of two species in the genus Houttuynia (the other being H. emeiensis). It is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the genus Houttuynia emeiensis and in the Saururaceae (Lizard’s-tail family). The plant is native to southern China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia. It normally grows in moist, shady locations. Few of the popular common names of the plants are Chinese lizard tail, Fish mint, Fish plant, Fishwort, Heartleaf , Himalayan spinach, Lizard’s tail, Edible houttuynia, Heartleaf houttuynia, Vietnamese fish plant, White chaplu, Wild houttuynia, Chameleon, Chameleon plant,…

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Mahaleb cherry scientifically known as Prunus mahaleb L. is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the Rosaceae (Rose family). The plant is native to Central and Southern Europe, extending to Spain, and through Gibraltar to the tip of Northwest Africa, from the Balkans eastwards to Ukraine, Western and Central Asia. Some of the popular common names of the plant are Mahaleb cherry, Perfumed cherry, St. Lucie cherry, Cerezo de Santa Luca, Gandhi cherry, rock cherry, Saint lucie cherry, St Lucie’s cherry and English Cherry. Mahaleb cherry (Mahlep Tree) has been used for centuries for its fruits and its almond-tasting…

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Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus, commonly known as Indian cress, is a very popular and cottagey plant, found in many gardens – but not generally thought of as an herb. It is a species of flowering plant in the family Tropaeolaceae. The plant originated in South America in the Andes from Peru, Bolivia north to Colombia. It was introduced into Europe in the sixteenth century and elsewhere subsequently. Some of the most popular common names of the plants are Climbing Nasturtium, Common Nasturtium, Empress of India, Garden Nasturtium, Indian Cress, Monks Cress, Nasturtium and large Indian cress. It is widely cultivated, both…

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Perilla frutescens, commonly called perilla or Korean perilla, is a species of Perilla in the mint family Lamiaceae. This annual plant is native to Southeast Asia and Indian highlands, and is traditionally grown in the Korean peninsula, Southern China, Japan and India as a crop. It has traditionally been used as a source of human and animal food that is rich in fat and good quality protein. Few of the popular common names of the plant are Beefsteak plant, Chinese basil, Common perilla, Green-leaved perilla, Perilla, Rattlesnake weed, Wild coleus, Wild perilla, Wild sesame, beefsteak mint, purple perilla, blueweed, Joseph’s…

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Sanguisorba minor commonly known as salad burnet, is a perennial herb of the Rosaceae (Rose family). The plant is native to Europe, western Asia and Siberia, and northern Africa. In North America it is found occasionally in the western U.S. and to a lesser extent in the eastern U.S. from Tennessee and North Carolina to New England and the Great Lakes region. It is mostly grown in the herb gardens for its tasty leaves. Few of the popular common names of the plant are garden burnet, official burnet, burnet bloodwort, common burnet, salad burnet, sanguisorba, little burnet, small burnet and…

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Wild strawberries of the Rosaceae (Rose family) go by many names, including Alpine strawberry and European strawberry, but the scientific name of these berry plants is Fragaria vesca according to some experts. Unlike common strawberries, which are a hybrid of members in the Fragaria genus, these strawberries grow in the wild and have been consumed by native people since the Stone Age. Wild strawberries are also supposed to be sweeter, more flavorful and easier to grow! The plant is native to Europe and Asia. Varieties of the species are found in North America both naturally and as introduced. Few of…

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Euonymus americanus of the Celastraceae (Bittersweet family) commonly known as Strawberry Bush, American Strawberry Bush, Brook Euonymus is a species of flowering plant native to wooded slopes, moist understory forest areas, low sandy woods, ravines and stream banks from New York south to Florida and west through Pennsylvania to Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and eastern Texas. Range in Missouri is limited to the far southeastern corner of the State including Crowleys Ridge and the Bootheel. Few of the popular common names of the plant are Bursting Heart, Hearts-a-Burstin, strawberry bush, hearts-bustin’-with-love, Wahoo, fish wood, burning bush, hearts-a-burstin-love, running strawberry bush…

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Goumi or Gumi scientifically known as Elaeagnus multiflora are the fruit of the deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub of the Elaeagnaceae family. The Goumi plant is grown in some places for its edible fruit though predominantly it is grown as an ornamental shrub. The plant is native to China, Korea and Japan. It is also grown in various parts of North America and Europe. This species has become naturalized in different regions of eastern United States. Few of the popular common names of the plant are Cibie, Goumi, Gumi, Longipe bush, Mupan-hsia, Natsu-gumi, Cherry Elaeagnus and Cherry silverberry. Genus name comes…

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French mulberry scientifically known as Callicarpa americana is a loose open shrub appreciated for its spectacular fruits. It is of the genus Callicarpa L. (beautyberry) of flowering plants in the family Verbenaceae (Verbena family). The plant is native to Southeastern United States and commonly occurs in all states of the region except Kentucky. The species ranges from coastal Maryland south through the northern two-thirds of Florida and west to extreme southern Missouri, eastern Texas, and eastern Oklahoma. It is also found in Mexico and the West Indies. Few of the popular common names of the plant are American beautyberry, Spanish-mulberry,…

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Camellia sinensis commonly known as Tea Plant is a species of evergreen shrub or small tree from which white tea, green tea; oolong and black tea are all harvested from. The difference between those teas lies in how the tea plant is processed. The plant is native to East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, but it is today cultivated across the world in tropical and subtropical regions. It is of the genus Camellia of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. Common names of the plant include Mecha, gyokura, bancha, kukicha, Asian tea, senchu, Chinese tea, Japanese tea, Black…

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Gloriosa superba commonly known as Climbing-lily is a species of flowering plant in the family Colchicaceae. The plant is native to Africa and Asia. It is also found in USA, Indochina, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar Island. In India, it is found in Tamil Nadu and other South Indian forests. In Australia, it grows in the coastal region of Queensland. Few of the popular common names of the plant are climbing-lily, creeping-lily, flame-lily, gloriosa lily, glory lily, malabar glory lily, superb lily, fire lily, tiger claw, glory vine, malabar glory pipa de turco and vine lily. The name Gloriosa superba is…

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Jack bean scientifically known as Canavalia ensiformis is a legume which is used for animal fodder and human nutrition, especially in Brazil where it is called feijão-de-porco (pig bean). It belongs to an immense family, the Leguminosae (Fabaceae), which consists of 500 genera and 15 000 species of both cultivated and wild plants. The plant is native to tropical Africa and Central and South America from Mexico south to Brazil and Peru, and to the West Indies. Few of the popular common names of the plant are Jack bean, Sword bean, Giant stock-bean, Wonder bean, gotani-bean, horse-bean, seaside-bean, Chickasaw, limabean,…

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Capparis zeylanica also known as Ceylon caper or Indian caper belonging to the family of Capparaceae is a climbing shrub common in the forests of the Indian subcontinent; no subspecies are listed in the Catalogue of Life. The plant is native to India to Indo-China, Penin­sular Malaysia, Indonesia (Java, Sulawesi, Lesser Sunda Islands), and the Philippines. Ceylon caper is a large, armed straggling, climbing shrub, usually seen 2 – 5 meters long, occasionally to 10 meters with zigzag branches which are tawny to brownish red pubescence. The plant is found growing in dry deciduous forests, hedges, brush woods, savannas, and…

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Bombax ceiba of the Bombacaceae (Kapok-tree family) commonly known as Indian cottonwood, Indian kapok or Kapok tree is an important medicinal plant of tropical and subtropical India. It is actually a tall deciduous tree, with straight buttressed trunk and broad spreading branches. The plant is native to tropical South and Southeast Asia, namely India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, northern Australia, and the Philippines. Few of the popular common names of the plant are Indian cottonwood, Indian kapok, Kapok tree, Red cotton tree, Red-flowered silk-cotton tree, Red silk-cotton,…

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Vitis labrusca, commonly known as fox grape or Concorde grape, is a woody, deciduous vine that climbs by tendrils. The plant is native to woodlands and forest margins in eastern North America from Nova Scotia to Ontario south to Louisiana and Florida. It can climb to the tops of tall trees or sprawl horizontally over low-growing shrubs. Some of the popular common names of the plant are Concorde grape, Fox grape, Grapevine rootstock, Skunk grape, Wild vines, Northern fox grape, American grape, slipskin grape, slip-skin grape, Bland’s grape, Isabella grape and Labruscan grape. Genus name is the Latin name for…

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Sida rhombifolia commonly known as broom weed, paddy’s lucerne, Cuba jute is a short-lived perennial subshrub in the Malvaceae (Mallow family), commonly growing to 60 cm, but sometimes reaching 1.5 m in height. The plant is native to New World tropics and subtropics. Some of the popular common names of the plant are arrow leaf sida, arrow-leaf sida, arrow leaf sida, big Jack, bloom weed, broom weed, broomstick, coffee bush, common sida, country mallow Cuba jute, Cuban jute, flax weed, Indian hemp, jelly leaf, jelly leaf, Paddy’s lucerne, Pretoria sida, Queensland hemp, rhomboid ilima, shrub sida, sida retusa, sida weed,…

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Silver wattle scientifically known as Acacia dealbata is a species of Acacia belonging to the Fabaceae ⁄ Leguminosae (Pea family). The plant is native to southeastern Australia in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory and widely introduced in Mediterranean, warm temperate, and highland tropical landscapes. It favors disturbed places in coastal prairies, riparian areas and coniferous forests. The Latin specific epithet dealbata also means “covered in a white powder”. Few of the popular common names of the plant are Mimosa, Silver wattle, Sydney black wattle, Wattle bark, black wattle, blue wattle and Tasmania mimosa. Silver wattle…

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Psidium cattleianum, commonly known as strawberry guava, Cattley guava or cherry guava, is a small tree in the Myrtaceae (myrtle) family. The species is named in honor of English horticulturist William Cattley. The plant is native to south-east Brazil, but has been naturalized in Florida, Hawai’i, tropical Polynesia, Norfolk Island and Mauritius. Its genus name Psidium comes from the Latin psidion, or “armlet.” The red-fruited variety, P. cattleyanum var. cattleyanum, is commonly known as purple guava, red cattley guava, red strawberry guava and red cherry guava.[2] The yellow-fruited variety, P. cattleyanum var. littorale is variously known as yellow cattley guava,…

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Acacia catechu also commonly called Black catechu, Black cutch, is a deciduous, thorny tree belonging to the Fabaceae family. The plant is native to Southern Himalayas of Pakistan, northern India and Nepal, south to Andhra Pradesh in India, and east to Burma and Thailand. It is occasionally planted in Indonesia (Java), Thailand, Burma and India. The plant is called katha in Hindi, and kachu in Malay, hence Latin “Catechu” for this type species from which the extracts cutch and catechu are derived. Few of the popular common names of the plant includes Black catechu, Black cutch, Catechu, Catechu tree, Cutch…

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Abutilon theophrasti, Velvet leaf or Chinese jute is an annual plant of the genus Abutilon Mill. belonging to Malvaceae (Mallow family). The plant is native to Mediterranean or to a wider area including temperate Asian and European countries. It is cultivated and occasionally naturalized in Europe, Asia, America and Australia. In Malesia only recorded in Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Sumbawa and Sulawesi). The plant has got several common names including Abutilon-hemp, Abutilon hemp, American jute, American velvet leaf, Butter print, Butter print velvetleaf, Butterweed, China-jute, Ching ma jute, Ching ma lantern, Cotton weed, Flower of an hour, Indian hemp, Indian-mallow, King…

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Barbarea vulgaris, yellow rocket cress or bitter cress is a biennial herb of the genus Barbarea, belonging to the Brassicaceae ⁄ Cruciferae (Mustard family). It is a tap rooted biennial forb native to Eurasia and North Africa. Few of the popular common names of the plant are Rocket cress, Winter cress, Yellow rocket, Bitter cress, Cressy-greens, Garden yellow rocket, Herb-Barbaras, Upland cress, Bitter winter cress, Common winter cress, Cress, herb Barbara, winter rocket, wound rocket and yellow rocket cress. The genus name Barbarea is derived from Saint Barbara, the patron saint of artillerymen and miners, as this plant in the…

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Star of Bethlehem or Sleepy dick, scientifically known as Ornithogalum umbellatum is a member of the Liliaceae (Lily family) and is related to garlic and onions. The plant is native throughout north-western Africa (i.e. Algeria and Morocco), Europe (i.e. Austria, Belgium, Hungary, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ukraine, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Romania, Yugoslavia, France, Portugal and Spain) and western Asia (i.e. Cyprus and Turkey). In North America, it has escaped its cultivation as a garden ornamental and can be found in many areas. The plant has got several common names including Arabian flowers, field onions, wonder flowers, dove’s dung, bird’s milk,…

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Lotus tree scientifically known as Ziziphus lotus is a deciduous shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region, like Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya except France and Italy. It is one of several species called “jujube”, and is closely related to Z. jujuba, the true jujube. Few of the popular common names of the plant are African jujube, Lote fruit, Lotus tree, Lotus, Lotus jujube and wild jujube. The plant is used in nutrition, health, and cosmetics in several forms, for example, honey, tea, jam, juice, oil, loaf, and cake. Plant Description Lotus tree…

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Morus alba, commonly known as white mulberry or Russian mulberry is a fast-growing, small to medium-sized tree belonging to the genus Morus and from the Moraceae family, which consists of 10–16 species of deciduous trees that are distributed worldwide. The plant is native to Central and eastern China. It is now grown in plantations, and for ornamental reasons in gardens and parks throughout the warm temperate world, and is naturalized both in Europe and North America. It is generally a short-lived tree with a lifespan comparable to that of humans, although there are some specimens known to be over…

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