Plants of Pompeii: Madonna Lily (Lilium candida)
Karen This herbaceous perennial bulb is native to the Balkans and Middle East and has been cultivated for at least 3,000 years dating back to the Bronze age Minoans on the…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Garlic (Allium sativum)
Native to central Asia and northeastern Iran, garlic is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, that also includes onion, leek, and shallot. It was cultivated…
Poisonous Plants: Coyotillo (Karwinskia humboldtiana)
Native to the prairies, plains, meadows, pastures, and savannas of southern and western Texas as well as much of Mexico, this evergreen shrub or small tree is a member of…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)
This herbaceous biennial is native to damp grassland and woodland areas in Eurasia and North Africa and is a member of the honey suckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigela,…
Poisonous Plants: Four-O’Clock (Mirabilis jalapa)
Native to the dry tropical regions of North, Central, and South America, this herbaceous perennial, also known as marvel of Peru and is a member of the plant family Nyctaginaceae…
Plant Profile: Hart’s Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium aka Phyllitis scolopendrium)
This perennial evergreen fern is a member of the spleenwort family, Aspleniaceae, that also includes maiden-hair fern, bird’s nest fern, and eared lady fern. It is native to central and…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum)
The opium poppy is a herbaceous annual native to Greece and western Asia and is a member of the poppy family, Papaverceae, that also includes bleeding heart and corydalis. It…
Plants of Pompeii: Onion (Allium cepa)
Native to Asia, the common onion is a biennial or perennial usually grown as an annual It is in the same genus as chives, garlic, and leek, and is the…
Poisonous Plants: Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum)
A native of Greece and western Asia, the opium poppy is a member of the poppy family, Papaverceae, that also includes bleeding heart and corydalis. It is the oldest poppy…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Field Pansy (Viola arvensis)
Also called johnny jump up, this herbaceous annual is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, and a member of the violet family, Violaceae. The ancient Roman naturalist, Pliny…