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The stem of the mock strawberry (Duchesnea indica), a flowering plant that gets its name from its fruit's resemblance to the strawberry.

Mock Strawberry

The stem of the mock strawberry (Duchesnea indica), a flowering plant that gets its name from its fruit's…

"Branch of Sarsaparilla (Smilax medica), with fruits." -Whitney, 1911

Sarsaparilla

"Branch of Sarsaparilla (Smilax medica), with fruits." -Whitney, 1911

"Sassafras (Sassafras sassafras). 1. Branch with fruits. 2. Branch with sterile flowers. a, b, c, different forms of leaves." -Whitney, 1911

Sassafras

"Sassafras (Sassafras sassafras). 1. Branch with fruits. 2. Branch with sterile flowers. a, b, c, different…

"Saurognathous skull of woodpecker (Colaptes auratus). v, v, the posterior parts of the abortive vomer; s, point of sphenoid; mxp, maxillopalatine; pt, pterygoid; me, ossified mesethmoid; pl, palatine; q, quadrate; bt, basitemporal; fm, foramen magnum. The posterior part of one palatine is cut away to show the long anterior projection of the pterygoid." -Whitney, 1911

Woodpecker Skull

"Saurognathous skull of woodpecker (Colaptes auratus). v, v, the posterior parts of the abortive vomer;…

"Flowering branch of Lizardtail (Saururus cernuus). a, flower." -Whitney, 1911

Lizard's Tail

"Flowering branch of Lizardtail (Saururus cernuus). a, flower." -Whitney, 1911

The Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis) is a flowering plant of the Lamiaceae family. The image shows its: a, corolla; b, calyx; and c, pistil.

Summer Savory

The Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis) is a flowering plant of the Lamiaceae family. The image shows…

An illustration of a floor malt house with a power shovel and bucket elevator for the green malt.

Malt House

An illustration of a floor malt house with a power shovel and bucket elevator for the green malt.

The saxhorn is a brass instrument with: a, mouthpiece; b, valves; c, keys; d, bell; e, crook.

Saxhorn

The saxhorn is a brass instrument with: a, mouthpiece; b, valves; c, keys; d, bell; e, crook.

"Flowering plant of saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis). a, a flower; b, the fruit." -Whitney, 1911

Early Saxifrage

"Flowering plant of saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis). a, a flower; b, the fruit." -Whitney, 1911

A variety of leaves with scales: "a, the scale-like leaves of the stem of Lathraea squamaria (toothwort); b, the cone with the scales of Cupressus sempervirens (Mediterranean Cypress); c, the imbricate scale-like bract of the spike of Cyperus longus (common galingale)." -Whitney, 1911

Scaled Leaves

A variety of leaves with scales: "a, the scale-like leaves of the stem of Lathraea squamaria (toothwort);…

The name Chamomile or Camomile means "earth-apple", because of the applelike scent of the plant. It can refer to any of several distinct species in the sunflower family (Asteraceae): The Chamomile flower is most often consumed in the form of a bitter herb tea infusion. Taken internally, the infusion's effects include calming of the digestive tract, and easing of the spasms of irritable bowel syndrome, nocturnal cramps and period pains. It's a relaxant and sedative, so it is often taken against insomnia or anxiety. The infusion can be used externally to reduce minor skin irritation because of its mild antiseptic effect and it lightens the hair. Ingestion of the dried flowers has an emetic effect. See Matricaria recutita for more complete details.

Chamomile

The name Chamomile or Camomile means "earth-apple", because of the applelike scent of the plant. It…

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum, syn. Eugenia aromaticum or Eugenia caryophyllata) are the aromatic dried flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae. Cloves are native to Indonesia and used as a spice in cuisine all over the world. The name derives from French clou, a nail, as the buds vaguely resemble small irregular nails in shape. Cloves are harvested primarily in Indonesia, Madagascar, and Zanzibar, ; it is also grown in India called Lavang , Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The clove tree is an evergreen which grows to a height ranging from 10-20 m, having large oval leaves and crimson flowers in numerous groups of terminal clusters. The flower buds are at first of a pale color and gradually become green, after which they develop into a bright red, when they are ready for collecting. Cloves are harvested when 1.5-2 cm long, and consist of a long calyx, terminating in four spreading sepals, and four unopened petals which form a small ball in the centre.

Clove Plant and Seed

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum, syn. Eugenia aromaticum or Eugenia caryophyllata) are the aromatic dried…

Coca is a plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to north-western South America. The plant plays a significant role in traditional Andean culture. Coca leaves contain cocaine alkaloids, a basis for the drug cocaine, which is a powerful stimulant. Coca should not be confused with the similarly named South American cocoa bean from which chocolate is made. The plant resembles a blackthorn bush, and grows to a height of 2–3 m (7–10 ft). The branches are straight, and the leaves, which have a green tint, are thin, opaque, oval, and taper at the extremities. A marked characteristic of the leaf is an areolated portion bounded by two longitudinal curved lines, one line on each side of the midrib, and more conspicuous on the under face of the leaf. The flowers are small, and disposed in little clusters on short stalks; the corolla is composed of five yellowish-white petals, the anthers are heart-shaped, and the pistil consists of three carpels united to form a three-chambered ovary. The flowers mature into red berries.

Coca Flower

Coca is a plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to north-western South America. The plant plays…

Coca is a plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to north-western South America. The plant plays a significant role in traditional Andean culture. Coca leaves contain cocaine alkaloids, a basis for the drug cocaine, which is a powerful stimulant. The flowers mature into red berries.

Coca Fruit

Coca is a plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to north-western South America. The plant plays…

An illustration of an anamirta cocculus leaf. Anamirta cocculus is an Southeast Asian and Indian climbing plant. Its fruit, Cocculus indicus, is the source of picrotoxin, a poisonous alkaloid with stimulant properties. The plant is large-stemmed (up to 10cm in diameter); the bark is "corky gray" with white wood. The "small, yellowish-white, sweet-scented" flowers vary between 6 to 10 centimeters across; the fruit produced is a drupe, "about 1 cm in diameter when dry".

Anamirta cocculus

An illustration of an anamirta cocculus leaf. Anamirta cocculus is an Southeast Asian and Indian climbing…

An illustration of an anamirta cocculus branch with flowers. Anamirta cocculus is an Southeast Asian and Indian climbing plant. Its fruit, Cocculus indicus, is the source of picrotoxin, a poisonous alkaloid with stimulant properties. The plant is large-stemmed (up to 10cm in diameter); the bark is "corky gray" with white wood. The "small, yellowish-white, sweet-scented" flowers vary between 6 to 10 centimeters across; the fruit produced is a drupe, "about 1 cm in diameter when dry".

Anamirta cocculus Flowers

An illustration of an anamirta cocculus branch with flowers. Anamirta cocculus is an Southeast Asian…

An illustration of an anamirta cocculus female flower. Anamirta cocculus is an Southeast Asian and Indian climbing plant. Its fruit, Cocculus indicus, is the source of picrotoxin, a poisonous alkaloid with stimulant properties. The plant is large-stemmed (up to 10cm in diameter); the bark is "corky gray" with white wood. The "small, yellowish-white, sweet-scented" flowers vary between 6 to 10 centimeters across; the fruit produced is a drupe, "about 1 cm in diameter when dry".

Anamirta cocculus Flower (Female)

An illustration of an anamirta cocculus female flower. Anamirta cocculus is an Southeast Asian and Indian…

An illustration of an anamirta cocculus fruit. Anamirta cocculus is an Southeast Asian and Indian climbing plant. Its fruit, Cocculus indicus, is the source of picrotoxin, a poisonous alkaloid with stimulant properties. The plant is large-stemmed (up to 10cm in diameter); the bark is "corky gray" with white wood. The "small, yellowish-white, sweet-scented" flowers vary between 6 to 10 centimeters across; the fruit produced is a drupe, "about 1 cm in diameter when dry".

Anamirta cocculus Flower (Female)

An illustration of an anamirta cocculus fruit. Anamirta cocculus is an Southeast Asian and Indian climbing…

An illustration of an anamirta cocculus male flower. Anamirta cocculus is an Southeast Asian and Indian climbing plant. Its fruit, Cocculus indicus, is the source of picrotoxin, a poisonous alkaloid with stimulant properties. The plant is large-stemmed (up to 10cm in diameter); the bark is "corky gray" with white wood. The "small, yellowish-white, sweet-scented" flowers vary between 6 to 10 centimeters across; the fruit produced is a drupe, "about 1 cm in diameter when dry".

Anamirta cocculus Flower (Male)

An illustration of an anamirta cocculus male flower. Anamirta cocculus is an Southeast Asian and Indian…

An illustration of an anamirta cocculus male flower with the sephals removed. Anamirta cocculus is an Southeast Asian and Indian climbing plant. Its fruit, Cocculus indicus, is the source of picrotoxin, a poisonous alkaloid with stimulant properties. The plant is large-stemmed (up to 10cm in diameter); the bark is "corky gray" with white wood. The "small, yellowish-white, sweet-scented" flowers vary between 6 to 10 centimeters across; the fruit produced is a drupe, "about 1 cm in diameter when dry".

Anamirta cocculus Fruit

An illustration of an anamirta cocculus male flower with the sephals removed. Anamirta cocculus is an…

"a, Scales of Chionaspis pinifoliae upon pine-leaves, natural size; b, scale of male, enlarged; c, straight scale of female, enlarged; d, curved scale of female, enlarged." -Whitney, 1911

Pine Needle Scale

"a, Scales of Chionaspis pinifoliae upon pine-leaves, natural size; b, scale of male, enlarged; c, straight…

"Scale-mosses. 1, Ptilidium ciliare (fringewort); 2, Lophocolea minor (liverwort)." -Whitney, 1911

Liverworts

"Scale-mosses. 1, Ptilidium ciliare (fringewort); 2, Lophocolea minor (liverwort)." -Whitney, 1911

"Scale-insect. Oyster-shell bark-louse of the apple (Mytilaspis pomorum); male. a, ventral view with wings closed; b, dorsal view with wings expanded; c, scale (line shows natural size); d, leg; f, antennal joint." -Whitney, 1911

Scale Insect

"Scale-insect. Oyster-shell bark-louse of the apple (Mytilaspis pomorum); male. a, ventral view with…

The scamillus is the piece of stone sitting directly underneath a column.

Scamillus

The scamillus is the piece of stone sitting directly underneath a column.

The scammony (Convolvulus scammonia) is a flowering plant of the bindweed family. R, the root.

Scammony

The scammony (Convolvulus scammonia) is a flowering plant of the bindweed family. R, the root.

A scape is a flowering, leafless stem; shown here on two different plants. "1. Wild hyacinth (Scilla nonscripta). 2. Oxlip (Primula elatior). s, s, scapes." -Whitney, 1911

Scapes

A scape is a flowering, leafless stem; shown here on two different plants. "1. Wild hyacinth (Scilla…

An illustration of a ripe cotton capsule after dehiscence. Dehiscence is the spontaneous opening at maturity of a plant structure, such as a fruit, anther, or sporangium, to release its contents. Cotton is a soft, staple fiber that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant (Gossypium sp.), a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, India and Africa.

Cotton

An illustration of a ripe cotton capsule after dehiscence. Dehiscence is the spontaneous opening at…

An illustration of a cotton seed. Cotton is a soft, staple fiber that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant (Gossypium sp.), a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, India and Africa.

Cotton Seed

An illustration of a cotton seed. Cotton is a soft, staple fiber that grows around the seeds of the…

An illustration of a cotton plant. Cotton is a soft, staple fiber that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant (Gossypium sp.), a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, India and Africa.

Cotton Plant

An illustration of a cotton plant. Cotton is a soft, staple fiber that grows around the seeds of the…

Croton is an extensive plant genus of the family Euphorbiaceae established by Carolus Linnaeus in 1737. The common names for this genus are rushfoil and croton, but this latter also refers to Codiaeum variegatum. The genus name comes from Greek Kroton, which means ticks, because of the seeds' resemblance to ticks.

Croton

Croton is an extensive plant genus of the family Euphorbiaceae established by Carolus Linnaeus in 1737.…

The Red currant (Ribes rubrum) is a member of the genus Ribes in the gooseberry family Grossulariaceae, native to parts of western Europe (Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Northern Italy and Northern Spain). It is a deciduous shrub normally growing to 1-1.5 m tall, occasionally 2 m, with five-lobed leaves arranged spirally on the stems. The flowers are inconspicuous yellow-green, in pendulous 4-8 cm racemes, maturing into bright red translucent edible berries about 8-12 mm diameter, with 3-10 berries on each raceme.

Red Currant

The Red currant (Ribes rubrum) is a member of the genus Ribes in the gooseberry family Grossulariaceae,…

Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus, (syn. Hemerocallis flava, Lemon Day-lily Lemon Lily, Yellow Day-lily) is a plant of the genus Hemerocallis. It is found across China, in Europe in N.E. Italy and Slovenia and is one of the first daylilies used for breeding. Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus grows in big spreading clumps and its leaves grow to 75 cm (30 in) long. It has lemon-yellow flowers with a sweet scent in a cluster of 3 to 9 flowers.

Yellow Day-lily

Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus, (syn. Hemerocallis flava, Lemon Day-lily Lemon Lily, Yellow Day-lily)…

Deinotherium ("terrible beast"), also called the Hoe tusker was a gigantic prehistoric relative of modern-day elephants that appeared in the Middle Miocene and continued until the Early Pleistocene. During that time it changed very little. In life it probably resembled modern elephants, except that its trunk was shorter, and it had downward curving tusks attached to the lower jaw. Deinotherium is the third largest land mammal known to have existed; only Indricotherium and Mammuthus sungari were larger. Males were generally between 3.5 and 4.5 meters (12 and 15 feet) tall at the shoulders although large specimens may have been up to 5m (16ft). Their weight is estimated to have been between 5 and 10 tonnes (5.5 and 11 US Standard tons), with the largest males weighing in excess of 14 tonnes (15.4 US Standard tons). Deinotherium's range covered parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Deinotherium

Deinotherium ("terrible beast"), also called the Hoe tusker was a gigantic prehistoric relative of modern-day…

Willian de Wessyngton was a forebear of George Washington, the first President of the United States. Though it was not from Washington, Sunderland, that George Washington's great-grandfather John Washington left for Virginia, but from Essex, Washington Old Hall was the family home of George Washington's ancestors, and the present structure does incorporate small parts of the medieval home in which they lived.

Washington Old Hall

Willian de Wessyngton was a forebear of George Washington, the first President of the United States.…

The American horned owls and the Old World eagle-owls make up the genus Bubo, at least as traditionally circumscribed. This genus, depending on definition, contains about one or two dozen species of typical owls (family Strigidae) and occurs in many parts of the world. Some of the largest living Strigiformes are in Bubo. Traditionally, only owls with ear-tufts were included here, but this is now known to be wrong.

Great Horned Owl

The American horned owls and the Old World eagle-owls make up the genus Bubo, at least as traditionally…

An illustration of an earthworm. The basic body plan of an earthworm is a tube, the digestive system, within a tube, the muscular outer body. The body is annular, formed of segments that are most specialized in the anterior. Earthworms have a simple circulatory system. They have two main blood vessels that extend through the length of their body: a ventral blood vessel which leads the blood to the posterior end, and a dorsal blood vessel which leads to the anterior end. Most earthworms are decomposers feeding on undecayed leaf and other plant matter, others are more geophagous.

Earthworm

An illustration of an earthworm. The basic body plan of an earthworm is a tube, the digestive system,…

A, section through the compound eye of a crayfish. Labels: 1, cornea; 2, crystaline cones; 3, retinulae; 4, pigment cells; 5, cuticle; 6, epithelium; n, optic nerve; g, ganglia. B, A single element (ommatidium) from the compound eye of a crayfish. Labels: 1, corneal lens; 2, corneal cells; 3, crystalline cone cells; 4, 5, outer and inner parts of the crystalline cone; p, pigment cells; r, retinula; R, rhabdome; b, basement membrane.

Eye of a Crayfish

A, section through the compound eye of a crayfish. Labels: 1, cornea; 2, crystaline cones; 3, retinulae;…

Schizaea pusilla, or Little Curlygrass Fern is a small species of fern in the Curlygrass family (Schizaeaceae). here showing: "a, pinnule with sporangia; b, a sporangium, on larger scale." -Whitney, 1911

Curlygrass Fern

Schizaea pusilla, or Little Curlygrass Fern is a small species of fern in the Curlygrass family (Schizaeaceae).…

"Schizognathous skull of common fowl. pmx, premaxilla; mxp, maxillopalatine; mx, maxilla; pl, palatine; pt, pterygoid; vo, vomer." -Whitney, 1911

Bird Skull

"Schizognathous skull of common fowl. pmx, premaxilla; mxp, maxillopalatine; mx, maxilla; pl, palatine;…

The winged female woolly aphid (Schizoneura lanigera), a species of plant lice of the Eriostoma family.

Adult Woolly Aphid

The winged female woolly aphid (Schizoneura lanigera), a species of plant lice of the Eriostoma family.

The female woolly aphid larva (Schizoneura lanigera), a species of plant lice of the Eriostoma family.

Woolly Aphid Larva

The female woolly aphid larva (Schizoneura lanigera), a species of plant lice of the Eriostoma family.

"Schizorhinal skull of curlew (top view), showing the long cleft, a, between upper and lower forks of each nasal bone." -Whitney, 1911

Curlew Skull

"Schizorhinal skull of curlew (top view), showing the long cleft, a, between upper and lower forks of…

"1. Flowering plant of Bulrush (Scirpus lacustris). 2. The inflorescence. a, a flower; b, the fruit." -Whitney, 1911

Bulrush

"1. Flowering plant of Bulrush (Scirpus lacustris). 2. The inflorescence. a, a flower; b, the fruit."…

The Common Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a flowering plant in the Boraginaceae family. Here showing its scorpioid inflorescence.

Common Comfrey

The Common Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a flowering plant in the Boraginaceae family. Here showing…

The Black Rock Scorpion (Scorpio (Buthus) Afer), "seen from above. At, the chelicerae, or chelate antennae; the large claws are chelate pedipalpi; Cth, cephalothorax; the first two legs are cephalic appendages, the next two thoracic; Tn, the telson or sting." -Whitney, 1911

Black Rock Scorpion

The Black Rock Scorpion (Scorpio (Buthus) Afer), "seen from above. At, the chelicerae, or chelate antennae;…

"Diagram of structure of Scopionidae (most of the appendages removed). IV. to XX., fourth to twentieth somite; IV., basis of the pedipalpi or great claws; V., VI., of two succeeding cephalic segments; T, telson of sting; a, mouth; b, alimentary canal; c, anus; d, heart; e, a pulmonary sac; f, line of ventral ganglionated cord; g, cerebroganglia." -Whitney, 1911

Scorpion Diagram

"Diagram of structure of Scopionidae (most of the appendages removed). IV. to XX., fourth to twentieth…

Elecampane, also called Horse-heal (Inula helenium) or Marchalan (in Welsh), is a perennial composite plant common in many parts of Great Britain, and ranges throughout central and Southern Europe, and in Asia as far eastwards as the Himalayas. It is a rather rigid herb, the stem of which attains a height of from 3 to 5 feet; the leaves are large and toothed, the lower ones stalked, the rest embracing the stem; the flowers are yellow, 2 inches broad, and have many rays, each three-notched at the extremity. The root is thick, branching and mucilaginous, and has a warm, bitter taste and a camphoraceous odor.

Elecampane

Elecampane, also called Horse-heal (Inula helenium) or Marchalan (in Welsh), is a perennial composite…

Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of trees (and a few shrubs), the members of which dominate the tree flora of Australia. There are more than seven hundred species of Eucalyptus, mostly native to Australia, with a very small number found in adjacent parts of New Guinea and Indonesia and one as far north as the Philippines islands. Species of Eucalyptus are cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics including the Americas, England, Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, China and the Indian Subcontinent.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of trees (and a few shrubs), the members of which dominate the tree flora…

Eupatorium cannabinum, commonly known as Hemp-agrimony, is a herbaceous plant of the family Asteraceae. It is a robust perennial native to many areas of Europe. It is occasionally found as a garden escape in other areas such as British Columbia. If the genus Eupatorium is defined in a restricted sense (about 42 species), E. cannabinum is the only species of that genus native to Europe (with the remainder in Asia or North America).

Eupatorium cannabinum

Eupatorium cannabinum, commonly known as Hemp-agrimony, is a herbaceous plant of the family Asteraceae.…

Euphorbia lathyris (Caper Spurge or Paper Spurge) is a species of spurge native to southern Europe (France, Italy, Greece, and possibly southern England), northwest Africa, and eastward through southwest Asia to western China. Other names occasionally used include Gopher Spurge, Gopher Plant or Mole Plant. It is an erect biennial (occasionally annual) plant growing up to 1.5 m tall, with a glaucous blue-green stem. The leaves are arranged in decussate opposite pairs, and are lanceolate, 5-15 cm long and 1-2.5 cm broad, glaucous blue-green with a waxy texture and pale greenish-white midrib and veins. The flowers are green to yellow-green, 4 mm diameter, with no petals. The seeds are green ripening brown or grey, produced in globular clusters 13-17 mm diameter of three seeds compressed together.

Caper Spurge

Euphorbia lathyris (Caper Spurge or Paper Spurge) is a species of spurge native to southern Europe (France,…

The almond is native to Iran, from northwestern Saudi Arabia, north through western Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, western Syria, to southern Turkey. It is a small deciduous tree, growing to between 4 and 10 meters in height, with a trunk of up to 30 centimeters in diameter. The young shoots are green at first, becoming purplish where exposed to sunlight, then grey in their second year. The leaves are 1 cm long and 1.2–4 cm broad, with a serrated margin and a 2.5 cm petiole. The flowers are white or pale pink, 3–5 cm diameter with five petals, produced singly or in pairs before the leaves in early spring. The fruit is a drupe 3.5–6 cm long, with a downy outer coat. The outer covering or exocarp, (fleshy in other members of Prunus such as the plum and cherry), is instead a leathery grey-green coating called the hull, which contains inside a hard shell, and the edible seed, commonly called a nut in culinary terms. Generally, one seed is present, but occasionally there are two. In botanical terms, an almond is not a true nut. The reticulated hard woody shell (like the outside of a peach pit) surrounding the edible seed is called the endocarp. The fruit is mature in the autumn, 7–8 months after flowering.

Almond Tree and Fruit

The almond is native to Iran, from northwestern Saudi Arabia, north through western Jordan, Israel,…

The hop (Humulus) is a small genus of flowering plants, native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. The female flowers, commonly called hops, are used as flavoring and stabilizers during beer brewing. The hop is part of the family Cannabaceae, which also includes the genus cannabis (also known as hemp). Hops are the female flower cones of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus). They are used primarily as a flavoring and stability agent in beer, and also in other beverages and in herbal medicine. The first documented use in beer is from the eleventh century. Hops contain several characteristics favorable to beer, balancing the sweetness of the malt with bitterness, contributing flowery, citrus, fruity or herbal aromas, and having an antibiotic effect that favors the activity of brewer's yeast over less desirable microorganisms. The hop plant is a vigorous climbing herbaceous perennial, usually grown up strings in a field called a hopfield, hop garden or hop yard. Many different varieties of hops are grown by farmers all around the world, with different types being used for particular styles of beer.

Hops

The hop (Humulus) is a small genus of flowering plants, native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere.…

The Olive (Olea europaea) is a species of small tree in the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean region, from Lebanon, Syria and the maritime parts of Asia Minor and northern Iran at the south end of the Caspian Sea. Its fruit, the olive, is of major agricultural importance in the Mediterranean region as the source of olive oil. The Olive tree is an evergreen tree or shrub native to the Mediterranean, Asia and parts of Africa. It is short and squat, and rarely exceeds 8–15 meters in height. The silvery green leaves are oblong in shape, measuring 4–10 cm long and 1–3 cm wide. The trunk is typically gnarled and twisted. The small white flowers, with four-cleft calyx and corolla, two stamens and bifid stigma, are borne generally on the last year's wood, in racemes springing from the axils of the leaves. The fruit is a small drupe 1–2.5 cm long, thinner-fleshed and smaller in wild plants than in orchard cultivars. Olives are harvested at the green stage or left to ripen to a rich purple colour (black olive). Canned black olives may contain chemicals that turn them black artificially.

Olive Branch

The Olive (Olea europaea) is a species of small tree in the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas…

An illustration of a groundnut plant.

Groundnut

An illustration of a groundnut plant.

Cubeb (Piper cubeba), or tailed pepper, is a plant in genus Piper, cultivated for its fruit and essential oil. It is mostly grown in Java and Sumatra, hence sometimes called Java pepper. The fruits are gathered before they are ripe, and carefully dried. Commercial cubebs consist of the dried berries, similar in appearance to black pepper, but with stalks attached — the "tails" in "tailed pepper". The dried pericarp is wrinkled, its color ranges from grayish-brown to black. The seed is hard, white and oily. The odor of cubebs is described as agreeable and aromatic. The taste, pungent, acrid, slightly bitter and persistent. It has been described as tasting like allspice, or like a cross between allspice and black pepper.

Cubeb

Cubeb (Piper cubeba), or tailed pepper, is a plant in genus Piper, cultivated for its fruit and essential…

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae) is a hardy perennial flowering plant, with heads of sweetly scented pink or white flowers. The flowers are in bloom in the northern hemisphere from June to September. Valerian was used as a perfume in the sixteenth century. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, Valerian has been introduced into North America. It is consumed as food by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) species including Grey Pug.

Valerian

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae) is a hardy perennial flowering plant, with heads of…

Licorice is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, from which a sweet flavour can be extracted. The liquorice plant is a legume (related to beans and peas) and native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. It is an herbaceous perennial, growing to 1 m in height, with pinnate leaves about 7–15 centimetres (3–6 inches) long, with 9–17 leaflets. The flowers are 0.8–1.2 cm (1/3 to 1/2 inch) long, purple to pale whitish blue, produced in a loose inflorescence. The fruit is an oblong pod, 2–3 centimetres (about 1 inch) long, containing several seeds.

Licorice

Licorice is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, from which a sweet flavour can be extracted. The liquorice…

Madder is the common name of the plant genus Rubia, the type genus of the madder family Rubiaceae. The genus contains about 60 species of perennial scrambling or climbing herbs and sub-shrubs native to the Old World, Africa, temperate Asia and America. The best known species are Common Madder (Rubia tinctorum), Wild Madder (Rubia peregrina), and Indian Madder (Rubia cordifolia). The Common Madder can grow to 1.5 m in height. The evergreen leaves are 5-10 cm long and 2-3 cm broad, produced in whorls of 4-7 starlike around the central stem. It climbs with tiny hooks at the leaves and stems. The flowers are small (3-5 mm across), with five pale yellow petals, in dense racemes, and appear from June to August, followed by small (4-6 mm diameter) red to black berries. The roots can be over a metre long, up to 12 mm thick and the source of a red dye known as rose madder. It prefers loamy soils with a constant level of moisture. Madders are used as food plants for the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Hummingbird hawk moth.

Madder

Madder is the common name of the plant genus Rubia, the type genus of the madder family Rubiaceae. The…

Woad (or glastum) is the common name of the flowering plant Isatis tinctoria in the family Brassicaceae. It is commonly called dyer's woad, and sometimes incorrectly listed as Isatis indigotica (a newer and invalid name for the same plant). It is occasionally known as Asp of Jerusalem. Woad is also the name of a blue dye produced from the plant. Woad is native to the steppe and desert zones of the Caucasus, Central Asia to eastern Siberia and Western Asia (Hegi), but is now found in southeastern and some parts of Central Europe as well. It has been cultivated throughout Europe, especially in Western and southern Europe, since ancient times.

Woad

Woad (or glastum) is the common name of the flowering plant Isatis tinctoria in the family Brassicaceae.…

The chickpea (Cicer arietinum) (also garbanzo bean, Indian pea, ceci bean, bengal gram, chana, kadale kaalu, sanaga pappu, shimbra, Kadala) is an edible legume of the family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. Chickpeas are high in protein and one of the earliest cultivated vegetables. 7,500-year-old remains have been found in the Middle East.

Chickpea Plant

The chickpea (Cicer arietinum) (also garbanzo bean, Indian pea, ceci bean, bengal gram, chana, kadale…