Plant Profile: Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
Karen Meyers Also called common mullein and woolly mullein, this native of Europe, Africa and Asia, is a herbaceous biennial and a member of the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae, that also includes butterfly…
Plant Profile: Water Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis scorpioides)
Also known as scorpion grass, this rhizomatous herbaceous perennial is in the borage family, Boraginaceae, that also includes lungwort, heliotrope, and Siberian bugloss. It is native to Europe and Asia…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Common Daisy (Bellis perennis)
Common daisy is often included in Mary gardens although it is most closely associated with Mary Magdalene rather than with the Virgin Mary. Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus’ most…
Plant Profile: Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys)
Also known as bird’s-eye speedwell, and cat’s eyes, this herbaceous perennial is native to Europe where it is found in meadows, hedgerows, and open deciduous woodlands. It is a member…
Weeds and Their Control: Brazilian Jasmine (Jasminum fluminense)
Karen Brazilian jasmine is an evergreen, climbing, woody vine and a member of the olive family, Olaceae, that also includes lilac, privet, and forsythia. It is native to tropical west Africa…
Plant Profile: 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 plant grows up to…
Plant Profile: Corn Poppy (Papaver rhœas)
Also known as common poppy and Flanders poppy, this annual wildflower is native from Africa to temperate and tropical Asia and Europe. It is a member of the poppy family,…
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: Rough Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium)
Also called clotbur, donkey bur, heartleaf, and woolgarie bur, this summer annual is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes sunflower, yarrow, and lettuce. It’s native range…
Poisonous Plants: Corncockle (Agrostemma githago)
Corncockle is an upright annual belonging to the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae, that also includes pinks, baby’s breath, and campion. It is native to Europe where it grows in disturbed sites…