Plants, Popular Stories

The sugar beet, grown in North America, Europe and Australia, is a versatile and sustainable plant, the unsung rival of sugar cane in temperate climes.

The perennial herb, Rhodiola rosea, is both food and a traditional folk medicine in northern climates. What is special about Rhodiola?

From those that react to the slightest touch to those that bop to the beat, there's a whole bunch of sentient plants out there.

An alien-looking ooze that is actually a plant... Some of these specimens are 3,000 years old!

Butterbur has many descriptive nicknames. With different uses both in traditional herblore and modern natural medicine, Butterbur is a versatile workhorse.

Blueness abounds as we enjoy the marvelous hues of this incredible blue mushroom from New Zealand!

Drawing attention to the lack of green spaces in the environment, a group has been creating mini ecosystems throughout Madrid, complete with tiny animals!

Mushrooms add flavor and richness to our food. But do not mess around with them. These five delicious-looking mushrooms could actually be fatal if eaten.

Three of the varieties of fragaria are the well-known garden strawberry, the common strawberry and the woodland strawberry. Where does each thrive?

Turmeric is the plant whose roots provide the spice for curry, but where does turmeric grow, and what other uses does turmeric have?

What is cinnamon, really? You know the spice, but did you know what part of a cinnamon tree is used to make cinnamon sticks and the powdered spice?

The perennial Arnica plant has a golden flower but a controversial reputation in natural medicine. Where does Arnica grow? Can it be safely used? What dangers lurk?

Carnivorous plants are the plants that trap and eat animals. The list of victims includes flies, small insects, butterflies, and even rats too!

Vanilla is popular but expensive, partly because this orchid often needs help to reproduce. Researchers in Malaysia hope to help this familiar spice.

Orchids are the largest and the most diverse plant family on Earth. With more than 25,000 species, orchids come in a variety of forms, fragrances and colors.

The periwinkle plant, native to Eurasia, was introduced to North America for producing beautiful flowers. Folklore claims that the periwinkle has powers for good.

Chase the February blues away with cheery images of sunflowers.

We may substitute carob for chocolate or cocoa powder for reasons of health or taste. Here is the environmental background information for deciding which we should use.

With names like pig face and the ice-plant, Carpobrotus plants actually have brilliantly colored flowers and are known for their medicinal properties.

Five uncommon drugs that occur naturally, and the strange effects that they have.