Bush: shrub, wildland, and surname Bush “Bush” can mean a woody shrub, untamed rural country, or a surname associated with a political family. This article explains botanical traits, cultural uses, geographical senses, a…
Bustan (garden): Persian domestic and agricultural garden Bustan (garden) A bustan is a traditional Persian garden or house-adjacent orchard combining fruit, shade, herbs and water features; a domestic green space with historical, practical and cultural…
Buttercup (Ranunculus): overview, characteristics, habitats and hazards Buttercup Buttercups (genus Ranunculus) are several hundred wildflower species, often with glossy yellow petals. They grow in temperate, moist habitats, attract pollinators, and contain toxi…
Buxaceae (boxwood family) Buxaceae Buxaceae, the boxwood family of evergreen and herbaceous plants, includes about five genera and some 70 species worldwide; many are used as ornamentals, hedging and groundcover.
Byrsonima crassifolia (nance): a tropical fruit tree Byrsonima crassifolia Byrsonima crassifolia, commonly called nance, is a slow‑growing tropical tree valued for its small yellow fruits, used fresh or processed across the Americas and Caribbean.
Cacao tree (Theobroma cacao) Cacao tree A concise encyclopedia entry on the cacao tree: its botany, origin, cultivation, processing of cocoa seeds, uses (chocolate, cocoa butter), and economic and ecological importance.
Cactus: Adaptations, Diversity, and Human Uses Cactus Cacti are succulent plants of the family Cactaceae adapted to dry environments. This article covers their features, evolution, habitats, pollination, uses, and notable distinctions…
Caesalpinioideae: a subfamily of legume flowering plants Caesalpinioideae Caesalpinioideae is a diverse subfamily within the legume family Fabaceae, chiefly tropical trees and shrubs with distinctive floral and leaf features and a complex taxonomic histo…
Calendula officinalis (pot marigold) — description, history, uses, and cultivation Calendula officinalis Calendula officinalis, commonly called pot marigold, is a widely cultivated flowering plant used ornamentally, medicinally, and culinarily; known for bright orange-yellow daisy‑lik…
Calibrachoa — small, petunia-like ornamental plants (million bells) Calibrachoa Calibrachoa, often called million bells, is a genus in the nightshade family prized for abundant, small, trumpet-shaped flowers. Popular for containers, hanging baskets and massed…
Calluna (Calluna vulgaris): description, habitat, uses and management Calluna Calluna (Calluna vulgaris), commonly called heather, is a low evergreen shrub of the family Ericaceae that dominates many acidic heaths and moorlands in Europe and has horticultura…
Calotropis gigantea — crown flower (giant milkweed) Calotropis gigantea Calotropis gigantea, the crown flower or giant milkweed, is a tropical shrub native to South and Southeast Asia. Known for waxy star-shaped blooms, milky latex, ceremonial uses, an…
Calotropis procera — Apple of Sodom (roostertree) Calotropis procera A drought-tolerant shrub native to Africa and Asia, Calotropis procera has waxy flowers, milky toxic latex, traditional uses for fiber and floss, ecological roles as a host plant,…
Camellia: evergreen flowering shrubs, tea plants and ornamental trees Camellia Camellia is a genus of evergreen flowering plants native to eastern and southern Asia, valued for ornamental flowers, tea (Camellia sinensis) and edible or cosmetic oils from seed.
Camellia sinensis — the tea plant Camellia sinensis Camellia sinensis is the evergreen shrub whose young leaves and buds produce true tea. This article summarizes its botany, cultivation, processing into tea types, chemistry, pests…
Campanulaceae (bellflower family) Campanulaceae Campanulaceae, the bellflower family, is a diverse group of about 70 genera and 2,000 species of mostly herbaceous plants, known for bell-shaped flowers and importance in gardens a…
Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia): Amazonian fruit rich in vitamin C Camucamu Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) is a small Amazonian shrub whose tart red fruits are notable for exceptionally high vitamin C and are used fresh, juiced, dried or as supplements.
Cannabaceae (hemp family): overview, characteristics, and uses Cannabaceae Cannabaceae, the hemp family in the rose order, is a small family of flowering plants including hemp, hops and hackberries. This article summarizes its traits, taxonomy, uses and n…
Cannabis: botany, uses, history and legal status Cannabis Overview of the Cannabis genus: botanical features, major species, chemical constituents, traditional and industrial uses, cultivation history, and contemporary legal and medical i…
Cannabis: plant, compounds, uses, and legal status Cannabis (drug) Overview of cannabis: plant biology, key compounds like THC and other cannabinoids, common consumption methods, medicinal and recreational uses, health effects, and global legal st…
Canola: crop, oil, uses, and development Canola Canola is a group of rapeseed cultivars bred for edible oil production. This article covers its plant types, history of breeding, nutritional profile, uses including biodiesel, and…
Cantuta (Cantua buxifolia): Andean flowering shrub and national symbol Cantuta Cantuta (Cantua buxifolia) is an evergreen Andean shrub with pendulous tubular flowers. Native to the highlands of Peru and Bolivia, it is an important ornamental and a shared nati…
Caper (Capparis spinosa) — plant, buds, and culinary uses Caper Caper (Capparis spinosa) is a perennial shrub whose pickled flower buds are a staple Mediterranean condiment. This article summarizes its botany, cultivation, culinary uses, histor…
Capparaceae (caper family): overview, traits, classification and uses Capparaceae Capparaceae, the caper family, comprises mostly tropical trees, shrubs, lianas and some herbs. It includes about 16 genera and up to 480 species, notable for the genus Capparis and…
Capsicum (peppers): overview, uses, history and varieties Capsicum Capsicum is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family whose fruits—peppers or chilis—are used worldwide as vegetables, spices, medicines, and ornamentals.
Carambola (Star Fruit): description, cultivation, uses, and safety Carambola Carambola, or star fruit (Averrhoa carambola), is a tropical fruit prized for its star-shaped slices, tart-sweet flavor, and versatile culinary uses. Grows across tropical Asia and…
Caraway: Description, History, Uses, and Cultivation Caraway Caraway (Carum carvi) is a biennial herb of the Apiaceae family, valued for its aromatic seeds used in cooking, spirits, and traditional remedies; native to Europe and western Asia…
Caricaceae — the papaya family of tropical flowering plants Caricaceae Caricaceae is a small family of tropical flowering plants that includes the cultivated papaya and several wild genera; notable for soft-wood stems, latex, and edible fruits.
Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus): description, history and uses Carnation Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is a widely cultivated garden and cut flower known for ruffled petals, varied colors, cultural symbolism, and long history of cultivation.
Carnivorous plant Plants that supplement nutrients by trapping and digesting animals—usually insects—adapted to nutrient-poor habitats; notable for diverse trap types, ecological roles, and horticul…
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua): Mediterranean evergreen and food crop Carob Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is a Mediterranean evergreen tree in the pea family grown for its sweet edible pods, used as a cocoa alternative, for locust bean gum, as animal fodder, a…
Carrot (Daucus carota): description, cultivation, uses Carrot Comprehensive overview of the carrot (Daucus carota): botanical identity, varieties, cultivation, nutrition, culinary uses, storage, pests and cultural notes on this widely grown r…
Caryophyllaceae (pink or carnation family) Caryophyllaceae A temperate family of flowering plants in the order Caryophyllales with about 88 genera and ~2,000 species, recognized for opposite leaves, often notched petals, and many ornamenta…
Caryophyllales: the plant order including cacti, carnations and succulents Caryophyllales Caryophyllales is a large, diverse order of flowering plants that includes cacti, carnations, amaranths, many succulents and several carnivorous families; notable for betalain pigm…
Cash crop A cash crop is a farm crop grown primarily for sale, not for the grower’s own use. This article explains types, history, economic role, environmental and social impacts, and sustai…
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale): tree, nut and fruit Cashew Cashew is a tropical tree native to northeastern Brazil, grown worldwide for its edible seed (cashew nut) and the fleshy cashew apple; valued for food, beverage, and industrial use…
Castilleja (Indian paintbrush): hemiparasitic wildflowers of the Americas and Eurasia Castilleja Castilleja, known as Indian paintbrush or prairie‑fire, is a genus of ~200 hemiparasitic annual and perennial herbs with colorful bracts, native to the Americas and parts of northe…
Castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) Castor oil plant A concise encyclopedia entry on the castor oil plant, its biology, uses (industrial, medicinal, ornamental), cultivation, and safety considerations including toxicity and distincti…
Catnip (Nepeta cataria): description, effects, cultivation and uses Catnip Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a mint-family herb known for its effects on some felines, aromatic oil nepetalactone, garden uses, and modest traditional medicinal roles.
Cedrus: Montane conifer genus native to the Mediterranean and western Himalaya Cedar Cedrus is a small genus of large, cone-bearing evergreen trees native to montane zones of the Mediterranean and western Himalaya, valued for aromatic wood, clustered needles and ba…
Cedrus deodara (Deodar) — Himalayan cedar: description, habitat, uses Cedrus deodara Cedrus deodara, the deodar or Himalayan cedar, is a tall evergreen conifer native to the western Himalayas. This article describes its appearance, range, cultural importance and co…
Cedrus libani (Lebanon cedar): description, distribution, history, and cultivation Cedrus libani Cedrus libani, the Lebanon cedar, is a large evergreen conifer native to eastern Mediterranean mountains, valued for its distinctive form, durable timber, and cultural symbolism; w…
Celastraceae: the staff-tree family of woody flowering plants Celastraceae Overview of Celastraceae, the staff-tree family of woody flowering plants: trees, shrubs and vines worldwide; key traits, genera like Euonymus and Celastrus, habitats and uses.
Celastrales (order of flowering plants) Celastrales Celastrales is a small order of mainly tropical and subtropical flowering plants, dominated by the family Celastraceae; known for woody species, small flowers, varied fruits and us…
Celosia: ornamental and edible flowering plants (cockscomb, woolflowers) Celosia Celosia is a genus of more than 50 tropical and subtropical plants in the Amaranthaceae family, grown for distinctive crested or plume-like flowers and used as ornamentals, cut or…
Celtis (hackberry): description, distribution, and uses Celtis Celtis is a genus of about 60–70 species of deciduous trees known as hackberries. They occur across the temperate Northern Hemisphere and are valued for wildlife food, urban tolera…
Ceratonia — the carob genus of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern trees Ceratonia Ceratonia is a small genus of evergreen legumes in Fabaceae, best known for the carob (Ceratonia siliqua). This article summarizes morphology, taxonomy, distribution, uses, cultiva…
Ceratophyllum — submerged freshwater plants (hornworts) Ceratophyllum Ceratophyllum is a genus of wholly or mostly submerged freshwater flowering plants found in ponds, marshes and slow streams worldwide. They are free-floating or loosely anchored, w…
