originally posted: September 4, 2003 | by chelsie

In the third millennium BCE, the fava bean (Vicia faba Linnaeus) was cultivated in many locations in the Middle East, North Africa, and as far north as central Europe. Archaeologically speaking, it is as if the fava suddenly burst upon the agricultural scene. This bean is actually a member of the vetches, plants usually cultivated as animal fodder and to rebuild worn-out soils. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: August 28, 2003 | by chelsie

The Madagascar lace plant or lattice leaf (Aponogeton madagascariensis (Mirbel) Van Bruggen) is a submerged aquatic best known for its use in aquaria and garden ponds. In its native habitat, lattice leaf grows in fresh water up to a meter deep. Aponogeton are palaeotropical plants distributed from Africa to Southeast Asia and Australia. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: August 21, 2003 | by chelsie

Commonly called the corn plant for its superficial resemblance to maize, Dracaena fragrans (Linnaeus) Ker-Gawler is native to western Africa. The variegated cultivars 'Warneckei' and 'Massangeana' were once classified as separate species, but are now considered horticultural forms of this reliable houseplant. Houseplants are houseplants simply because they tolerate low humidity and low levels of light. Like other houseplants, the corn plant adapts to this deprivation to a point. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: August 14, 2003 | by chelsie

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg) are considered true tropicals, plants requiring temperatures between 16 and 38 degrees C (60 to 100 degrees F) year-round, an annual rainfall of 200 to 250 centimeters (80 to 100 inches), and a relative humidity of 70 to 80 percent. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: August 7, 2003 | by chelsie

Common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris Linnaeus) is an annual native to Eurasia. It grows during cool weather. Where winters are mild, groundsel will flower through the winter months; where summers are cool, groundsel will survive as a biennial. The plant is a nuisance in pasture land especially when established in crops like alfalfa used for hay. Whether fresh or dried, groundsel causes liver damage in cattle and horses. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: July 31, 2003 | by chelsie

Rupert C. Barneby was a self-taught botanist. In the 1950s, he was a visiting scholar at the New York Botanical Garden and accepted a position as honorary curator of western botany. Barneby became an expert in the Leguminosae (Fabaceae), the bean family. (Bronx Times, December 14, 2000) [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: July 24, 2003 | by chelsie

Variously called eel grass, tape grass, or ribbon grass, the Vallisneria species Linnaeus are popular plants in aquaria. Members of the Hydrocharitaceae, the frog-bit family, there are eight or ten species of these submerged aquatics worldwide. Called 'Vals' by aquarium keepers, there are numerous hybrids and 'sports' (cultivars) available ranging from striped to twisted leaves. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: July 17, 2003 | by chelsie

White clover (Trifolium repens Linnaeus) is a highly nutritious forage plant. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to temperate zones around the world. It frequently escapes cultivation and naturalizes into the surrounding wild habitats. Although white clover appears a defenseless plant, it protects itself by the production of two chemicals: linamarin and linamarase. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: July 10, 2003 | by chelsie

White or Dutch clover (Trifolium repens Linnaeus) is in the Fabaceae (Leguminosae), the family of peas and beans. It was once a common plant mixed with various grasses for lawns. Clover lost favor in home lawn use, but can still be found in parks, ball fields, and pastures. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: July 3, 2003 | by chelsie

The papaya (Carica papaya Linnaeus) is an odd, short-lived, somewhat succulent tree. It has a single strong leader (stem) and does not branch unless this trunk is damaged. The crown consists of large palmately-lobed leaves. Flowers and fruit are borne on peduncles (flower stems) arising from the trunk. (Hortus Third, Staff of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium, 1976) [Click here to read more...]