Plants

Duckweed: tiny floating freshwater plants and their ecology Duckweed Duckweed are minute free-floating freshwater plants (five genera, ~33–38 species). This article explains their form, reproduction, ecological roles, uses and notable facts.

Duma (plant genus) Duma (genus) Duma is a small genus of woody plants in the knotweed family (Polygonaceae), segregated from Muehlenbeckia after molecular studies. It includes three species native to Australia wi…

Duma florulenta — tangled lignum, an Australian floodplain shrub Duma florulenta Duma florulenta (syn. Muehlenbeckia florulenta), known as tangled lignum, is a woody shrub of inland Australian floodplains valued for habitat, erosion control and cultural uses; s…

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) Eastern redbud Deciduous small tree or large shrub native to eastern North America, noted for early pea‑like pink blossoms, heart-shaped leaves, and frequent use as an ornamental and understory t…

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) Eastern White Pine A tall North American pine known for soft five-needle bundles, pale workable wood, and historical importance as timber and ship masts; native to eastern North America and a key eco…

Ebenaceae: the ebony and persimmon family of flowering plants Ebenaceae Ebenaceae is a family of mostly evergreen trees and shrubs including ebony timbers and persimmon fruits; about 500 species in two genera, native mainly to tropical and subtropical…

Echium vulcanorum — endemic flowering plant of Fogo, Cape Verde Echium vulcanorum A concise encyclopedia entry on Echium vulcanorum: taxonomy, appearance, volcanic habitat on Fogo island, discovery by Auguste Chevalier (1934), ecology, and conservation considera…

Edelweiss (Leontopodium): its appearance, habitat, cultural role and conservation Edelweiss Edelweiss is a woolly, star-shaped mountain flower of the genus Leontopodium, known from the European Alps. This article covers its form, habitat, symbolism, cultivation and conser…

Elm (Ulmus): overview, characteristics, history, uses and threats Elm Elms (genus Ulmus) are temperate trees widespread across the Northern Hemisphere, known for asymmetrical leaves, samara fruits, and historical use in timber and urban planting; man…

Embryophyte (land plants) Embryophyte Embryophytes are land plants that develop a multicellular embryo retained by the parent plant. They include mosses, ferns, gymnosperms and flowering plants and evolved from green a…

Endive (Cichorium endivia): types, cultivation, and culinary uses Endive Endive is a leafy vegetable in the Asteraceae family, valued for its crisp, often bitter leaves. Learn about its types (curly, Batavian), history, cultivation, culinary uses and ho…

Ensete: the false banana genus Ensete Ensete is a small genus of flowering plants in the Musaceae, native to tropical Africa and Asia; most notable is Ensete ventricosum, the Ethiopian enset, a staple food and cultural…

Ephedra: genus of joint-pines (Ephedraceae) Ephedra Ephedra is a genus of small, jointed-stem gymnosperm shrubs in the family Ephedraceae, widespread in temperate regions and notable for traditional medicinal uses and arid‑adapted g…

Ephedra sinica (ma huang): botany, chemistry, uses and regulation Ephedra sinica Ephedra sinica, or ma huang, is a medicinal shrub whose ephedrine alkaloids have stimulant and decongestant effects; historically used in TCM, now restricted in many countries due…

Epidendroideae: the largest subfamily of orchids Epidendroideae Epidendroideae is the largest orchid subfamily, containing many epiphytes and a wide range of growth forms; important in horticulture, ecology, and tropical biodiversity.

Plant Epidermis (Botany): Structure, Function and Diversity Epidermis (botany) The plant epidermis is the outermost cell layer covering leaves, stems, roots and reproductive organs. This article explains its structure, cell types, functions, and key variation…

Epiphyte: plants and organisms that grow on other plants without parasitizing Epiphyte An epiphyte is an organism that grows upon another plant for physical support while obtaining water and nutrients from the air, rain, or accumulated debris. Common in tropical fore…

Ericaceae (heath family): overview, characteristics, ecology and uses Ericaceae Ericaceae, the heath family, is a diverse group of mostly evergreen shrubs and small trees adapted to acidic soils. Includes rhododendrons, blueberries and heathers; valued in hort…

Ericales: a diverse order of flowering plants Ericales Ericales is a broad order of flowering plants that includes heathers, tea, blueberries, kiwifruit and many ornamental and wild species, notable for fused petals and frequent mycorr…

Eriophorum (cotton-grass): tufted sedges of bogs and tundra Eriophorum Eriophorum, or cotton‑grass, is a small genus of sedges (about 25 species) with cottony seed heads that grow in wet, acidic soils across the Northern Hemisphere and are important i…

Eruca sativa — arugula (rocket), a pungent leafy vegetable Eruca sativa Eruca sativa, commonly called arugula or rocket, is a Mediterranean leafy green with a peppery flavor used widely in salads, cooked dishes, and as a culinary herb.

Erysimum caboverdeanum - endemic wallflower of Fogo, Cape Verde Erysimum caboverdeanum Erysimum caboverdeanum is a flowering plant in the Brassicaceae family, known only from Fogo island in Cape Verde. It is an island endemic with botanical and conservation interest.

Eucalyptus: characteristics, distribution, uses, and notable facts Eucalyptus Eucalyptus is a large genus of mainly Australian trees and shrubs known as eucalypts or gum trees; this article covers their features, origins, common names, uses and ecological si…

Eucalyptus dives (broad‑leaved peppermint) Eucalyptus dives A small eucalyptus native to south‑eastern Australia, known for its broad, peppermint‑scented leaves, role in dry sclerophyll woodlands and use in oil and beekeeping.

Eucalyptus regnans (Mountain ash) Eucalyptus regnans A tall Australian eucalypt native to Victoria and Tasmania. Eucalyptus regnans is the tallest flowering plant, valued for its timber and playing a key role in montane forest ecolog…

Eucalyptus viminalis (Manna Gum): description, range, uses and ecology Eucalyptus viminalis Eucalyptus viminalis, the manna or ribbon gum, is a tall Australian eucalypt valued for wildlife habitat and timber. This article covers its appearance, subspecies, ecology, uses a…

Eudicots (eudicotyledons): characteristics, evolution, and importance Eudicots Eudicots are a major clade of flowering plants defined by shared structural and pollen characteristics. This article summarizes their key traits, major lineages, fossil history, co…

Common boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) Eupatorium perfoliatum Eupatorium perfoliatum, commonly called common boneset, is a perennial North American wetland plant in the aster family, noted for white corymbs, perfoliate leaves, pollinator valu…

Euphorbia: spurge genus — overview, traits, uses and caution Euphorbia Euphorbia is a very large plant genus (spurges) including poinsettia and many succulents; notable for a unique cyathium flower, milky toxic latex, diverse forms, ornamental uses an…

Euphorbiaceae (spurge family) Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae is a large, diverse family of flowering plants—about 300 genera and 7,500 species—ranging from herbs to trees, important for food, oil, rubber, ornamentals and chemic…

European ash (Fraxinus excelsior): description, range, uses and threats European ash The European ash (Fraxinus excelsior), or common ash, is a widespread deciduous tree of Europe and western Asia, valued for its timber and wildlife habitat but threatened by diseas…

Eutrochium maculatum (Spotted Joe‑Pye Weed) Eutrochium maculatum Perennial North American wildflower, Spotted Joe‑pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum) has tall, often spotted stems and flat clusters of pink‑purple flowers; thrives in wet habitats and…

Evergreen plants: characteristics, types, ecology and uses Evergreen Evergreen plants retain foliage year-round. This article explains their defining features, adaptations, major groups, ecological roles, cultural uses and how they differ from decid…

Fabaceae (Legume family) Fabaceae Fabaceae, or the legume/pea family, is a large, diverse group of flowering plants defined by pod fruits and frequent nitrogen-fixing root nodules; economically vital as food, forag…

Fabales: the order of legumes and related flowering plants Fabales Fabales is an order of eudicot flowering plants that includes the large legume family and several related families; important for ecology, agriculture, and nitrogen cycling.

Faboideae (Papilionoideae): the pea-flower subfamily of legumes Faboideae Faboideae (also Papilionoideae) is a large subfamily of Fabaceae characterized by pea-type (papilionaceous) flowers, often compound leaves and nitrogen‑fixing root nodules; include…

Fagaceae (Beech family): oaks, beeches, chestnuts and related trees Fagaceae Fagaceae is a family of about 800–900 species of woody plants including oaks, beeches and chestnuts. Wind-pollinated, nut-bearing trees and shrubs that dominate many temperate fore…

Fagales — the order of beeches, oaks, birches and allied plants Fagales Fagales is an order of woody flowering plants that includes beeches, oaks, birches, walnuts and related families; important ecologically and economically in temperate forests world…

Fatsia (genus of evergreen ornamental shrubs) Fatsia Fatsia is a small genus of evergreen shrubs in the Araliaceae family, native to southern Japan and Taiwan. Known for large palmately lobed leaves, it is grown as an ornamental and…

Feijoa (Acca sellowiana): pineapple guava — description, cultivation and uses Feijoa Feijoa (Acca sellowiana), also called pineapple guava, is an evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its aromatic fruit, ornamental flowers and adaptability in mild temperate clim…

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): description, uses and history Fennel Fennel is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean and parts of Asia. Its bulb, fronds and seeds are edible; used as a vegetable, spice and traditional remedy with a licorice-l…

Fenugreek: plant, seeds, leaves, culinary and traditional uses Fenugreek Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an annual legume grown for its aromatic seeds and tender leaves, used in cooking, traditional medicine, and agriculture across the Mediterr…

Fern: biology, life cycle, habitat, history and human uses Fern Ferns are non-flowering vascular plants with fronds and spores. This article covers their anatomy, life cycle, ecology, fossil history, uses, and how they differ from mosses and se…

Fertilisation of Orchids: Darwin’s study of pollination and coevolution Fertilisation of Orchids Charles Darwin’s 1862 book examining how insects fertilise orchids, demonstrating natural selection through detailed observation, experiments and predictions about plant–pollinator…

Fertilizer: types, key nutrients, uses, labeling, and environmental effects Fertilizer Overview of fertilizers: what they are, main nutrients (N-P-K), common organic and synthetic forms, labeling conventions, application guidance, history and environmental considerat…

Ficus benghalensis (Banyan): description, ecology, cultural importance Ficus benghalensis Ficus benghalensis, the banyan or Indian banyan, is a large fig tree native to the Indian subcontinent. Noted for aerial prop roots and a spreading canopy, it has ecological, cultu…

Fiddlehead fern Young coiled fern fronds eaten as a seasonal vegetable. Overview of identification, culinary uses, preparation and safety, cultural importance, and sustainable harvesting.

Fig (Ficus): Fruit, Botany, Uses and Cultural Significance Fig Overview of the fig (genus Ficus): its botany, varieties, pollination by fig wasps, cultivation in warm climates, culinary uses (fresh, dried, jam, snacks) and nutritional/cultural…