Plants

Garden plants: organized list and practical guide List of garden plants Overview and practical guide to garden plants, organized by growth habit and genus, with examples, cultivation notes, historical context, and links to related lists and resources.

List of Herbs: Culinary, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants List of herbs Comprehensive overview of common herbs: definitions, characteristics, historical use, culinary and medicinal roles, classifications and examples with safety and sourcing notes.

National flowers and floral emblems: meaning, examples, and uses List of national flowers An overview of national flowers (floral emblems): what they are, how they are chosen, examples from around the world, cultural uses, and distinctions from other state symbols.

National trees: list, symbolism and cultural significance List of national trees An overview of national trees as country symbols: how they are chosen, common examples, cultural meanings, conservation roles, and distinctions from other national emblems.

Liverworts: small non‑vascular plants (Marchantiophyta) Liverwort Liverworts are simple, non‑vascular plants of the Marchantiophyta, often dominant in damp habitats. This article covers their form, life cycle, evolution, ecology, cultural history…

Lobelioideae Lobelioideae is a subfamily of flowering plants in the Campanulaceae, often treated formerly as Lobeliaceae. It includes the genus Lobelia and many ornamentals, herbs, shrubs and i…

Loganberry: history, characteristics, cultivation and uses Loganberry A tart, deep-red hybrid fruit produced by crossing raspberry and blackberry. Originating as an accidental cross in 1881, the loganberry is grown for fresh eating, preserves and fla…

Loganiaceae — a tropical family of the order Gentianales Loganiaceae Loganiaceae is a small family of tropical flowering plants in the order Gentianales. Its circumscription has varied; modern treatments reduce the group after molecular studies and…

Long pepper (Piper longum) — botanical profile, history and uses Long pepper Long pepper (Piper longum) is a flowering vine in the Piperaceae family whose dried fruit is used as a spicy condiment and in traditional medicine across South and Southeast Asia.

Longan (Dimocarpus longan): description, uses and cultivation Longan Longan (Dimocarpus longan) is a tropical fruit tree in the Sapindaceae family. This article describes its botany, history, culinary uses, cultivation and distinctions from related…

Longbridge Plant, Birmingham Longbridge Plant Historic British automobile factory in Longbridge, Birmingham; major producer under Austin, BMC, British Leyland and Rover brands, later demolished and redeveloped after MG Rover's…

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica): description, cultivation and uses Loquat Loquat is an evergreen tree producing sweet-tart yellow-orange fruits. Native to East Asia, it is grown in warm temperate and subtropical regions for fresh eating, preserves, and o…

Lotus: plants, symbols, posture, companies, and cultural meanings Lotus An organized overview of 'lotus' covering botanical groups (Nelumbo, water‑lilies), cultural and religious symbolism, the meditation pose, commercial brands, and notable historical…

Lotus (genus of flowering plants in the pea family) Lotus (genus) Lotus is a genus of legumes (Fabaceae) containing roughly 125–180 species of herbs and small shrubs with pea-like flowers, used in forage, ornamentals and soil improvement.

Lovage (Levisticum officinale): description, uses, and history Lovage Lovage is a tall, aromatic perennial herb (Levisticum officinale) in the Apiaceae family, grown for its celery-like leaves, stems, seeds and root; used in cooking, traditional medi…

Luffa (loofah): the sponge gourd — plant, uses, and cultivation Luffa Luffa is the fibrous interior of mature gourds in the genus Luffa, used as natural sponges and eaten as a vegetable when young. This article covers its botany, uses, processing, an…

Lupin (Lupinus): botany, uses, distribution, and notable species Lupin Lupin (or lupine) is the common name for Lupinus, a diverse genus of flowering legumes. This article covers their appearance, distribution, ecology, cultivation, uses and notable f…

Lycopods (Lycopodiophyta): Ancient vascular plants Lycopod Lycopods are the oldest surviving vascular plant lineage. This article summarizes their form, reproduction, fossil history, living groups, ecology, uses, and how they differ from o…

Lycoris — genus of bulbous flowering plants Lycoris (genus) Lycoris is a small genus of bulbous perennials in the Amaryllidaceae, native to East Asia. Known for leafless flowering stems and spider‑like blooms, they are grown ornamentally an…

Lythraceae: the loosestrife family of flowering plants Lythraceae Lythraceae is a family of flowering plants (order Myrtales) of about 32 genera and 500–600 species, including many herbs and notable ornamental and fruit-bearing members.

Magenta rose Magenta rose is a vivid purplish-pink color named for roses that display it; used in horticulture, design, and symbolism. The name appears in English usage in the early 20th centur…

Magnolia (genus of flowering plants) Magnolia Magnolia is a genus of about 200 species of woody flowering plants in the family Magnoliaceae, valued for large, often fragrant flowers, long cultivation history and cultural signi…

Magnolia (tree): overview, characteristics and uses Magnolia (tree) Magnolia is a genus of flowering trees and shrubs with about 210–340 species. Ancient and widespread, magnolias are valued for large fragrant flowers, ornamental use, and distincti…

Magnoliaceae — the magnolia family Magnoliaceae A family of ancient flowering plants including magnolias and tulip trees; about 225 species in seven genera, notable for large fragrant flowers, primitive floral structures, and wi…

Magnoliales — order of flowering plants Magnoliales Magnoliales are an order of primarily woody, often aromatic flowering plants in the magnoliid clade, including magnolias, custard apples, nutmeg and other taxa of ecological, ornam…

Magnoliids: an early-diverging group of flowering plants Magnoliids Magnoliids are a clade of flowering plants including magnolias, laurels, pepper and cinnamon. They retain ancestral floral traits, include ~9,000 species, and supply many spices, f…

Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons): characteristics, classification, and importance Magnoliopsida Magnoliopsida, commonly called dicotyledons or dicots, are a major group of flowering plants characterized by two seed leaves, diverse forms, and a complex taxonomic history.

Maize (Zea mays): origin, characteristics, uses and significance Maize Maize (Zea mays), commonly called corn, is a domesticated cereal grass first cultivated in central Mexico. This article describes its botany, domestication, major uses, cultivation…

Major Oak (Sherwood Forest) Major Oak The Major Oak is a famous ancient oak tree in Sherwood Forest, England, associated with the Robin Hood legends. Estimated 800–1,000 years old, it is a protected natural and cultura…

Maloideae — traditional pome-bearing group in the rose family Maloideae Maloideae is a historical subfamily name in Rosaceae for shrubs and small trees that produce pomes (apples, pears). Modern classifications place these plants within a broader Amygd…

Malpighiales — a large, diverse order of flowering plants Malpighiales Malpighiales is a broad order of flowering plants (Eurosids I) that contains many familiar families and genera. It is highly diverse in form, ecology and economic uses and was defi…

Malus: the apple genus — overview, characteristics, history and uses Malus Malus is the genus of apples and crabapples in the rose family (Rosaceae). This article summarizes its features, native range, domestication, uses, cultivation notes and distinctio…

Malva (mallows): description, biology, history and uses Malva Malva is the type genus of the mallow family (Malvaceae), comprising some 25–30 species known as mallows; grown as ornamentals, used traditionally as food and medicine, and linked…

Malvaceae (the mallow family) Malvaceae Malvaceae, the mallow family of flowering plants, includes hibiscus, cotton, okra, cacao and kapok. Members are diverse in form and ecology and are valued for food, fibre, timber a…

Malvales (order of flowering plants) Malvales Malvales is an order of eudicot flowering plants that includes the mallows, dipterocarps and several related families. It contains roughly 6,000 species with notable economic and e…

Māmane (Sophora) — Hawaiian native shrub and tree Mamane Māmane is a variable native Hawaiian legume (Sophora) that ranges from shrub to tall tree. It supports native birds such as the palila and is used in restoration, gardens and soil…

Mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata) Mandarin orange Small citrus tree and its fruit, valued for thin, easy-to-peel skins and sweet segments; includes tangerines, clementines and satsumas. Cultivation, uses, storage, nutrition and cu…

Mandrake (Mandragora): plant description, history, uses, and folklore Mandrake Mandrake (genus Mandragora) is a nightshade family plant known for its forked root, historical medicinal uses, toxic alkaloids, and rich place in folklore and magic across the Medi…

Mangelwurzel A cultivated root crop of Beta vulgaris, developed in northern Europe as a high‑bulk livestock fodder; related to beetroot and sugar beet and grown for large swollen roots and leaf…

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana): tropical fruit, cultivation and uses Mangosteen Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a purple-skinned tropical fruit from Southeast Asian rainforests. Prized for its sweet, tangy white arils, it is eaten fresh, used in desserts a…

Mangrove: coastal trees and shrubs and their ecosystems Mangrove Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that form coastal forests and swamps in tropical and subtropical regions, providing shoreline protection, nursery habitat, and importan…

Manilkara (sapodilla, chicle): tropical trees of the Sapotaceae family Manilkara Manilkara is a genus of evergreen tropical trees in the Sapotaceae family, including sapodilla and chicle-bearing species. Valued for fruit, natural latex, and durable timber, they…

Manioc (Cassava, Yuca): a tropical root crop and its uses Manioc Manioc (Manihot esculenta), also called cassava or yuca, is a tropical shrub grown for its starchy, edible roots. It is a staple food and industrial crop that requires specific pro…

Map lichen (Rhizocarpon geographicum): description, ecology and use in lichenometry Map lichen Rhizocarpon geographicum, called map lichen, is a crustose rock lichen used to estimate surface exposure ages. Covers appearance, ecology, role in lichenometry, limitations and pra…

Maple (Acer): Overview, Biology, Uses, and Distribution Maple Maples (genus Acer) are deciduous trees and shrubs valued for distinctive leaves, winged seeds, autumn color, timber and maple syrup. Native mainly to Asia, with species across Eur…

Marigold: biology, cultivation, uses, and cultural significance Marigold Marigold refers to several yellow-orange flowering plants, chiefly Tagetes (African/French marigolds) and Calendula (pot marigold). Covers identification, cultivation, uses, cultur…

Marionberry (blackberry cultivar) Marionberry Marionberry is a popular blackberry cultivar developed in Oregon, prized for its rich flavor and used widely in commercial and artisanal foods; it was bred by Oregon State Universi…

Marjoram: the aromatic herb (Origanum majorana) Marjoram Marjoram (Origanum majorana) is a sweet, aromatic perennial herb used in cooking and traditional remedies. It belongs to the mint family and is closely related to oregano and other…