Plants of the Bible: Tarthuth aka Juniper Roots (Cynomorium coccineum)
Karen Also known as Maltese fungus, Maltese mushroom, desert thumb, red thumb, and tarthuth, this perennial plant is not a fungus or even closely related to fungi. It is a flowering…
Plant Profile: Tumble Thistle (Guendelia tournefortii)
Native to the semi-desert areas of the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle-East this herbaceous perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow and lettuce.…
Herbs for a Medieval Physics Garden: German Iris (Iris germanica)
Also known as bearded iris and common flag, this herbaceous perennial is native to the eastern Mediterranean and may be a natural hybrid between Iris pallida and Iris variegata. It…
Herbs for Medieval Physics Garden: Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum graecum)
This herbaceous annual was grown from ancient times and is native to the Mediterranean and Middle East, dating back to 4000 BC in Iraq. Also known as Greek hay it…
Plant Profile: Arabian Balsam Tree (Commiphora gileadensis aka C. opobalsamum)
This evergreen shrub or small tree is found in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, southern Oman, Sudan and in southeast Egypt and is a member of the torchwood family, Burseraceae, that also…
Plants of the Bible: Henna (Lawsonia inermis)
Native to semi-arid and tropical areas of Africa, Asia, and northern Australia, this slender, much branched, evergreen shrub or small tree is also known as mignonette tree and Egyptian privet.…
Plant Profile: St. Mary’s Thistle (Silybum marianum)
Known by many names including holy thistle, milk thistle and our Lady’s thistle, this annual or biennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, tht also includes daisy, sunflower,…
Plants of the Bible: Calamus (Acornus calamus)
This aquatic perennial goes by many name including beewort, flag root, gladdon, myrtle flag, sweet flag, pine root, sea sedge and sweet cane. It is native to Asia and Europe…
Plant Profile: Common St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Also called goatweed or Klamath weed, this herbaceous perennial is native to Europe, western Asian and North Africa where it occurs in a wide variety of habitats including pastures, meadows,…
Herbs for a Medieval Physic Garden: Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)
Cumin is a herbaceous annual native to the eastern Mediterranean east to India and has been known from ancient Egyptian times. Although there have been many claims about the medicinal…