Plants

Aster (genus) — Old World asters and their taxonomy Aster (genus) Aster is a genus of Eurasian flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, noted for daisy-like late-season flowers. 1990s taxonomic revisions moved many North American species to oth…

Asteraceae (Compositae) — the daisy and sunflower family Asteraceae One of the largest families of flowering plants, Asteraceae (or Compositae) is characterized by composite flower heads (pseudanthia) and includes sunflowers, daisies, thistles and…

Asterales: the order of composite and related flowering plants Asterales Asterales is an order of flowering plants that includes the large composite family Asteraceae and several related families. It is characterized by grouped florets, ecological impor…

Asteridae: traditional Linnaean subclass and the modern asterid clade Asteridae Asteridae is a traditional Linnaean subclass that by definition included Asteraceae; modern molecular systems treat related plants as the asterid clade (and euasterids), with revis…

Asterids: the large clade of flowering plants within the eudicots Asterids Asterids are a major monophyletic group of eudicot flowering plants, characterized by fused petals and diverse chemistry; they include many food crops, ornamentals, herbs and trees…

Astrophytum — genus of star-shaped and patterned cacti Astrophytum Astrophytum is a small genus of North American cacti noted for star-like forms, white flecking and showy yellow flowers; popular in cultivation and of conservation interest in the…

Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) — description, distribution, uses, and conservation Atlas cedar A comprehensive overview of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica): its appearance, native range in the Atlas Mountains, horticultural use, ecological role, and conservation concerns.

Aubergine (Eggplant) Aubergine Aubergine, also called eggplant or brinjal, is Solanum melongena — a warm‑season berry of the nightshade family grown worldwide for its edible flesh and skins.

Australian National Botanic Gardens Public botanical gardens in Canberra holding the largest living collection of native Australian plants; a national centre for conservation, research, education and public display.

Australian Plant Name Index (APNI) Australian Plant Name Index Comprehensive online index of published names for Australian vascular plants, recording current names, synonyms, bibliographic and typification data and links to census and related…

Austrobaileyales Austrobaileyales is a small order of early‑diverging woody flowering plants (about 100 species) including star anise; notable for aromatic oils, relatively 'primitive' floral trait…

Avocado (Persea americana): fruit, cultivation, uses and nutrition Avocado Avocado is a creamy, nutrient-rich fruit from Central America and Mexico. This article covers its botany, varieties, nutritional profile, culinary uses, cultivation, and toxicity t…

Axillary bud — embryonic lateral shoot in plants Axillary bud An axillary bud is an embryonic lateral shoot in the angle between stem and leaf; it can remain dormant or grow into a branch, flower, or other organs and is regulated by hormones…

Azorina vidalii (Azores bellflower) Azorina vidalii Azorina vidalii is a coastal bellflower endemic to the Azores and the sole species in the genus Azorina (family Campanulaceae). It is notable for its bell-shaped flowers and use in…

Azuki bean (adzuki): small red bean of East Asian cuisine Azuki bean Azuki (adzuki) is a small red legume (Vigna angularis) widely cultivated in East Asia. Valued for its sweet paste, savory uses, and nutrition, it appears in many traditional dishes…

Baldwin apple: history, characteristics, and uses Baldwin apple The Baldwin is a bright red winter apple once dominant in New England and New York. Valued for storage, shipping, cooking and cider, it remains an heirloom variety with historical…

Ballota (horehound): Mediterranean genus of mint-family flowering plants Ballota Ballota (horehound) is a genus of about 35 mint-family flowering plants native to the Mediterranean, Europe, North Africa and western Asia, adapted to dry, sunlit habitats and acti…

Bamboo: biology, uses, and cultural importance Bamboo Bamboo is a diverse group of woody grasses valued for rapid growth, building material, food, and cultural roles across Asia, Africa and the Americas. This article covers biology, v…

Banana: botany, cultivation, uses, and cultural importance Banana Comprehensive overview of the banana (genus Musa): botany, varieties (dessert vs plantain), cultivation and propagation, uses in food and industry, diseases, trade and cultural rol…

Banksia: Australian flowering plants of the Proteaceae family Banksia Banksia is a genus of woody shrubs and trees endemic to Australia, known for distinctive flower spikes and cones; important ecologically for nectar-feeding animals and significant…

Banyan (Ficus): the strangler fig and its ecology Banyan A banyan is a type of fig tree that often begins life as an epiphyte, sending aerial roots that form new trunks. This article covers its characteristics, life cycle, cultural roles…

Baobab (Adansonia): the iconic water‑storing tree Baobab Baobabs are large, long-lived trees of the genus Adansonia, native to Madagascar, mainland Africa and Australia, valued for water-storing trunks, edible fruit and cultural signific…

Bark (plant covering): structure, function and human uses Bark Bark is the protective outer covering of woody stems. This article covers its structure and growth, functions, ecological roles, human uses, variations, and basic identification an…

Barley (Hordeum vulgare): an overview of the cereal grain Barley Barley is an ancient cereal grain (Hordeum vulgare) grown for food, forage and malting. This article explains its botany, history, cultivation, processing, uses and key distinction…

Basil (Ocimum basilicum): description, varieties, cultivation, and uses Basil Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a fragrant culinary and medicinal herb from the mint family, cultivated worldwide. This article covers identification, varieties, history, cultivation t…

Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) — aromatic evergreen and culinary herb Bay laurel Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a Mediterranean evergreen tree or shrub whose glossy leaves are used for flavoring, ornament, and historical symbolism. Distinct from other 'laurels'…

Bay leaf: aromatic laurel leaves, varieties and culinary uses Bay leaf Aromatic leaves from several species of the laurel family used fresh or dried to flavor soups, stews and braises; includes varieties, storage, culinary tips and notable distinction…

Bean (seed of legumes and similar seeds) Bean Overview of beans: botanical scope, common types, nutrition, culinary and agricultural uses, ecological role, cautions and non-legume seeds called 'beans'.

Beech (Fagus): characteristics, ecology, uses and cultural importance Beech Beech (genus Fagus) are temperate broadleaf trees known for smooth grey bark, beech nuts, dense shade and valuable timber. Native to Europe, Asia and North America, they play key e…

Beet (Beta vulgaris) — root vegetable and cultivated crop Beet Beet (Beta vulgaris) is a broadly cultivated plant grown for its edible root and leaves. Varieties include red beetroot, sugar beet and mangelwurzel, used for food, sugar productio…

Begonia (genus of flowering plants) Begonia Begonia is a large genus of perennial flowering plants native to tropical and subtropical regions, valued for diverse foliage and flowers and widely cultivated as ornamentals and h…

Begoniaceae — the begonia family of flowering plants Begoniaceae Begoniaceae is a pantropical family dominated by the genus Begonia, known for asymmetric leaves and showy unisexual flowers; many species are cultivated as ornamentals and some are…

Bellis perennis (common daisy): description, distribution, uses and distinctions Bellis perennis Bellis perennis, the common or English daisy, is a small perennial of the Asteraceae family, widespread in Europe and naturalised across temperate regions; noted for its composite…

Berberis (barberry) Berberis Berberis, commonly called barberry, is a genus of spiny shrubs with yellow flowers and red or black berries, used as ornamentals, food in some cultures, and a source of traditional…

Betulaceae (birch family): overview, traits, distribution and uses Betulaceae Betulaceae, the birch family of temperate trees and shrubs, includes birches, alders, hornbeams and hazels. Wind-pollinated and catkin-bearing, they are ecologically and economical…

Biennial plant: lifecycle, characteristics, cultivation, and examples Biennial plant A biennial plant completes its lifecycle over two growing seasons: vegetative growth the first year, dormancy, then flowering and seed production the second. Covers traits, cultiva…

Bigleaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) Big leaf mahogany A large tropical hardwood tree native to the Americas, valued for reddish timber and ecological importance. Widely traded and regulated; threatened by overharvesting and habitat lo…

Bignoniaceae — the trumpet-creeper or catalpa family Bignoniaceae Bignoniaceae is a family of flowering plants—trees, shrubs and mainly vines—best known for showy, trumpet-shaped flowers. About 112 genera and 725+ species, it is important in trop…

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus): description, habitat, uses and distinctions Bilberry Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a small, dark-blue fruit of a low-growing European shrub. This article summarizes its botany, differences from similar berries, habitat, culinary…

Bing cherry (Prunus avium 'Bing') — sweet cherry cultivar Bing cherry Bing is a widely grown sweet cherry cultivar originating in Oregon. Valued for large, firm, dark red fruit, it is a leading table cherry in North America and remains important comm…

Birch (Betula): thin‑leaved deciduous trees of the north Birch Birch (genus Betula) are thin‑leaved deciduous hardwood trees of the family Betulaceae, widespread across the Northern Hemisphere and valued for bark, timber, ecology and cultural…

Birch bark: properties, traditional uses, and cultural importance Birch bark Comprehensive overview of birch bark: its physical properties, harvesting and preparation, traditional and modern uses, chemistry and medicinal notes, cultural roles, and conservat…

Bitter orange (Seville orange) — Citrus × aurantium Bitter orange Small citrus tree and fruit valued for bitter peel and blossoms; used in marmalade, liqueurs, perfumes, and as a rootstock. Scientific name Citrus × aurantium, a pomelo–mandarin hy…

Bixa orellana (achiote) — annatto-producing tropical shrub Bixa orellana Bixa orellana, commonly called achiote or annatto, is a tropical American shrub or small tree grown for its red seeds that yield annatto pigment used as food coloring, dye, and tra…

Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans): appearance, habitat, and importance Black mangrove Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) is a salt-tolerant coastal tree found in tropical and subtropical wetlands. It stabilizes shorelines, supports wildlife, and has distinctive ae…

Black mustard (Brassica nigra) Black mustard Black mustard (Brassica nigra) is an annual Brassicaceae plant native to the Mediterranean, grown for its pungent seeds used as a spice, condiment and source of oil in many cuisine…

Black pepper (Piper nigrum): origin, cultivation, processing and uses Black pepper Black pepper, the dried fruit of Piper nigrum, is a globally used spice and condiment with a long trade history. This article covers its botany, processing into black/white/green p…

Black sapote (Diospyros nigra): the chocolate pudding fruit Black sapote Black sapote (Diospyros nigra) is a tropical persimmon known as the chocolate pudding fruit. Native to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, its ripe pulp is sweet and used in…