Plants

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba): description, uses, history and cultivation Jujube Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) is a small deciduous tree valued for its sweet, apple-like fruit and hard wood. The article covers appearance, origin, uses in food and medicine, cultivati…

Juncaceae (rush family) Juncaceae Juncaceae, the rush family of monocot perennial herbs, comprises about 400 species in several genera. Rushes resemble grasses, favor wet or seasonally damp habitats, and have ecolo…

Juniper (Genus Juniperus): Characteristics, Uses, and Ecology Juniper Junipers (genus Juniperus) are evergreen coniferous plants of the Northern Hemisphere. This article covers their taxonomy, appearance, distribution, uses (culinary, ornamental, tim…

Juniper berry The juniper berry is the fleshy seed cone of Juniperus species. Not a true berry, it is valued for its piney, resinous flavor in cooking, gin production, and traditional medicine,…

Jute: plant fiber — properties, cultivation, uses and history Jute Jute is a coarse bast fiber from tropical plants, widely used for sacks, hessian (burlap), ropes and geotextiles. It is inexpensive, biodegradable and important to South Asian agri…

Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix): description, uses, and cultural notes Kaffir lime Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix), also called makrut lime, is a Southeast Asian citrus valued for its aromatic leaves, bumpy fruit and essential oils used in cooking, perfumery and tra…

Kale: characteristics, history, cultivation and culinary uses Kale Kale is a leafy brassica (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) with green or purple leaves. This hardy, cruciferous vegetable has a long cultivation history and diverse culinary and or…

Kapok (Ceiba pentandra): tropical tree, seed fibre, and cultural symbol Kapok Kapok is Ceiba pentandra, a tall tropical tree native to the Americas and West Africa. Its silky seed fibre and large stature have ecological, economic and cultural importance acro…

Kava: Pacific plant, traditional beverage, and therapeutic compound Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) is a Pacific Island plant whose root is prepared as a ceremonial and recreational drink with sedative and anxiolytic effects; it also has safety and regula…

Kelp: Biology, Ecology, Uses, and Conservation Kelp Kelp are large brown macroalgae that form underwater forests in nutrient-rich coastal waters. This article explains their structure, ecological role, human uses, threats such as ur…

Key lime (Citrus aurantiifolia): description, history, cultivation and uses Key lime Key lime, Citrus aurantiifolia, is a small, aromatic citrus valued for its tart flavor. This article covers its characteristics, origin, cultivation, culinary uses and differences…

Khat (Catha edulis): botany, uses, effects and socio-economic issues Khat Khat (Catha edulis) is a leafy shrub chewed as a mild stimulant across the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. This article summarizes its botany, chemistry, cultural role, h…

Kiwano (Horned Melon): description, distribution, uses and cultivation Kiwano Kiwano, or horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus), is a spiny orange fruit with green jelly-like flesh. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, it is eaten raw, used decoratively, and grown in m…

Kohlrabi: a versatile member of the Brassica family Kohlrabi Kohlrabi is a crisp, mild-flavored biennial vegetable in the cabbage family, eaten raw or cooked. This article covers its characteristics, cultivation, culinary uses, varieties, an…

Kola nut: African stimulant fruit used in tradition and beverages Kola nut The kola nut is the caffeine-containing seed of Cola trees from African rainforests. It has cultural, culinary and commercial uses, and gave its name to early 'cola' drinks.

Kōwhai (Sophora): New Zealand's yellow-flowering native trees Kowhai Kōwhai are New Zealand native trees of the genus Sophora, known for bright yellow spring flowers, ecological roles, cultural significance to Māori, and several distinct species wit…

Kumquat: small citrus fruit and ornamental tree Kumquat Kumquat (Fortunella or Citrus subgenus) is a small, hardy citrus tree with edible, sweet-peel fruit eaten whole, used in preserves, candied fruit, and as an ornamental; native to C…

Lagenandra dewitii A species of aroid first described in 1986, named for botanist Hendrik de Wit; documented from living collections and herbarium specimens and related to other wetland Lagenandra sp…

Lagunaria: the coastal hibiscus-like tree Lagunaria Lagunaria is an evergreen mallow valued for its large pink, hibiscus-like flowers and tolerance of coastal conditions. Native to islands in the southwest Pacific, it is used as an…

Lamiaceae (Labiatae) — the mint family Lamiaceae Lamiaceae, or Labiatae, is the aromatic mint family of flowering plants. It includes many culinary herbs, ornamentals and medicinal species characterized by square stems and two-li…

Lamiales: order of mints, olives, jasmines and related flowering plants Lamiales Lamiales is an order of asterid dicot flowering plants with about 11,000 species in roughly ten families, including mints, olives, jasmines, lavender and many ornamental and culina…

Larch: the Deciduous Conifer (Genus Larix) Larch Larches (genus Larix) are deciduous conifers of the northern hemisphere, notable for their autumn leaf drop, timber uses, and cold‑tolerant distribution across boreal and montane z…

Latex (natural rubber): overview, properties, uses, and processing Latex Latex is the milky sap used to make natural rubber (polyisoprene). This article explains its origin, chemistry, key properties, vulcanization, common uses, and health & environment…

Laurales — order of woody flowering plants Laurales Laurales is an order of mostly tropical and subtropical woody flowering plants, including the aromatic Lauraceae (bay, cinnamon, avocado). It is an ancient, morphologically diverse…

Laurel (Lauraceae): the laurel family and common "laurel" plants Laurel Laurel refers to members of the laurel family (Lauraceae) and to several unrelated plants called 'laurel'. This article outlines botanical traits, distribution, uses, notable gener…

Lavender (Lavandula): overview, characteristics, and uses Lavender Lavender (genus Lavandula) is a fragrant Mediterranean-origin shrub grown worldwide for ornament, essential oils, culinary uses, and cultural symbolism.

Lawn A managed area planted mainly with grasses (and sometimes clover), mown short for aesthetics, recreation or sport; common around buildings with cultural, economic and environmental…

Le Plantay — commune in the Ain department of Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes Le Plantay Le Plantay is a small rural commune in the Ain department of eastern France, located in the pond-rich Dombes region of Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes; known for agriculture, wetlands and bir…

Leaf: structure, function, types, and notable adaptations Leaf Overview of leaves: their structure, role in photosynthesis and gas exchange, main types (evergreen vs deciduous), common adaptations, and a few notable examples.

Leek — a mild Allium vegetable (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum) Leek Leek is a long-stalked, mild-flavored vegetable in the Allium family, widely cultivated for its white shaft and green leaves and used in soups, stews, sautés and stocks.

Legume: botanical fruit, plants, and human uses Legume Legume: a botanical dry fruit and the plants of the Fabaceae family. Covers definition, structure, ecology, history, common examples, agricultural importance and distinctions betwe…

Lemon (Citrus limon) Lemon Small evergreen citrus tree and its bright yellow fruit, likely originating in Asia; valued worldwide for its juice, zest, culinary and cleaning uses, and nutritional vitamin C con…

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis): description, cultivation, and uses Lemon balm Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a lemon‑scented perennial herb in the mint family, valued for culinary, aromatic and traditional medicinal uses. It is native to the Mediterrane…

Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora): description, uses, cultivation and history Lemon verbena Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a fragrant South American shrub used for tea, cooking and perfumes; valued for lemon-scented leaves, small pale flowers, and easy propagation.

Lentibulariaceae — the carnivorous plant family of bladderworts, butterworts and corkscrews Lentibulariaceae Lentibulariaceae is a small family of carnivorous flowering plants (Pinguicula, Genlisea, Utricularia) notable for diverse trap types, nutrient-poor habitats, and specialized leave…

Lentil (Lens culinaris): plant, seed, and culinary pulse Lentil Lentil (Lens culinaris) is a small annual legume cultivated for its lens-shaped seeds. A nutritious staple worldwide, it has many varieties, culinary uses, and agronomic benefits l…

Lepidodendron: the extinct scale trees of Carboniferous coal forests Lepidodendron Lepidodendron, an extinct genus of arborescent lycopsids, dominated Carboniferous coal swamps. Recognizable by scaly bark and cone-like reproductive organs, they helped form extens…

Lettuce: overview, varieties, cultivation and uses Lettuce Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a leafy vegetable grown worldwide. This article explains its characteristics, common types, history, cultivation, culinary uses and nutritional importan…

Liana — woody climbing plants of tropical forests Liana Lianas are long-stemmed, woody vines that climb trees in tropical (and some temperate) forests. They shape canopy structure, provide habitat and resources, and have economic and cu…

Libertia (genus of Iridaceae) Libertia Libertia is a small genus of perennial, grasslike monocots in the iris family (Iridaceae), native to southern hemisphere regions and grown as ornamental groundcover and garden plan…

Lilac (Syringa): fragrant shrubs and small trees for spring gardens Lilac Lilacs are deciduous shrubs or small trees in the genus Syringa, prized for fragrant spring flower clusters, garden use, and many cultivated varieties; the plant is associated with…

Liliaceae — the lily family Liliaceae Liliaceae, the lily family, is a group of monocot flowering plants in the order Liliales known for bulbous herbs with showy six‑part flowers; many taxa were reclassified in modern…

Liliales — order of flowering plants Liliales Liliales are an order of monocot flowering plants that includes lilies and related families. They feature often showy, six-part flowers, bulbous or rhizomatous growth, complex taxo…

Lily (Lilium): description, biology, cultivation and cultural significance Lily An accessible overview of lilies (genus Lilium): their appearance, growth from bulbs, natural range, garden cultivation, uses, and cultural importance, with practical notes and dis…

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) Lily of the valley Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a shade‑loving perennial with fragrant white bell-shaped flowers and red berries, native to temperate Eurasia and present in parts of No…

Linaceae — the Flax Family Linaceae Linaceae is a small cosmopolitan family of flowering plants including flax; roughly 14 genera and about 250 species, notable for simple leaves, five-parted flowers and economic use…

Liriodendron tulipifera — American tulip tree (tulip poplar) Liriodendron tulipifera A tall North American deciduous tree with distinctive tulip-like flowers and four-lobed leaves, valued for fast growth, ornamental use and light, workable timber.

List of botanical gardens An encyclopedic overview of botanical garden lists: organizational principles, history, roles, typical entries and notable examples arranged by country and type.