Featured Picks

The Rice Plant and Black Knowledge

Feb 20 2020

“The millions of Africans who were dragged to the New World were…

By Rashad Bell, Nuala Caomhanach

The Peacock Flower and Reproductive Resistance

Feb 20 2020

“Indians, who are not well treated in their servitude by the Dutch,…

By Rashad Bell, Nuala Caomhanach

The Vanilla Plant and Edmond

Feb 20 2020

Vanilla planifolia is the only orchid of significant economic importance as an…

By Rashad Bell, Nuala Caomhanach

Aloe: The Plant of Many Wonders

Aug 4 2022

Specimen Stories

Aloe vera is one of the over 300 species of Aloe belonging…

By Xiomara Bryan

Ginger and Chiya

Aug 4 2022

Specimen Stories

Ginger, also known as Zingiber officinale is native to tropical climates like…

By Ang Lama

Sugar Cane and the Tropical Traces of Empires

Aug 4 2022

Specimen Stories

Take a moment and think about how easy is to get sweet…

By Maker Senfis Sr.

Open Sesame

Aug 4 2022

Specimen Stories

Sesame, Sesamum indicum, is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the…

By Thomas Costella

Black Rice

Apr 10 2024

African rice, Oryza glaberrima, has been essential to recognizing the contributions of…

By Kenneth Reginald Otero-Walker

Black Pepper: King of Spices

Feb 18 2023

Specimen Stories

It’s hard to imagine entering a diner, sitting down on the shiny…

By Amy Sahud

Tobacco

Aug 3 2023

The history of tobacco and the people who cultivated the plant have…

By Angel Tobar

Ancestral Achiote

Aug 3 2023

Specimen Stories

In many Caribbean and Latin American households, most of us have known…

By Danielle Cruz

Vanilla in Puerto Rico

Aug 12 2023

Vanilla also has a long history in the Caribbean, especially in Puerto…

By Jason Lopez

Vanilla in Mexico

Aug 12 2023

It is in Mexico where Vanilla planifolia is said to originate, where…

By Jason Lopez

Coquito

Aug 12 2023

The scent of vanilla has always been one of my absolute favorites. It…

By Jason Lopez

A Vanilla Voyage: Exploring the Spice's Legacy in…

Aug 12 2023

Specimen Stories

Vanilla planifolia, commonly known as vanilla, is one of the most instantly…

By Jason Lopez

Sweetsop vs. Soursop: A Great Distinction

Aug 3 2023

Specimen Stories

The Annonaceae family is the largest plant family within the Magnoliales. The…

By Layla Gee, Allisson Garcia

Mango

Aug 3 2023

The mango plant, scientifically known as Mangifera indica which means “an Indian…

By Michael Noi

Sweet Sweet Potato

Aug 3 2023

Specimen Stories

Sweet potato has a sentimental meaning to me. Thanks to my mom…

By Nicole Rosas