Black Rice

Apr 10 2024

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


By Kenneth Reginald Otero-Walker

Cultivation and Ecology of Dates

Apr 10 2024

Focus on Science

The date palm requires ample sunlight, high temperatures (though it can survive…


By Tara Allen

The Nourishing Power of Dates

Apr 10 2024

Specimen Stories

As the Islamic month of fasting – Ramadan – comes to a…


By Tara Allen

Date Syrup Jallab

Apr 10 2024

Specimen Stories

There are many recipes featuring dates and their byproducts across many cultures,…


By Tara Allen

Ethnobotanical Uses of Dates

Apr 10 2024

Specimen Stories

Although eating the fruit may be the most well-known use of the…


By Tara Allen

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

Tobacco

Aug 3 2023

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


By Angel Tobar

Mango

Aug 3 2023

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


By Michael Noi

Fruits of Rosaceae

Apr 22 2023

Specimen Stories

Flowering plants differ from all other plants by producing seeds within fruits;…


By Amy Weiss

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

Fleshy Fruits

Nov 8 2022

In addition to being eaten straight from the tree or shrub, many…


By Emily B. Sessa

Tubers/Edible Roots

Nov 8 2022

Plants use underground storage structures such as corms, tubers, and rhizomes to…


By Emily B. Sessa

Nuts

Nov 8 2022

Pictured above are a few of the many species of nut-bearing trees…


By Emily B. Sessa

Lenape Plant Medicines

Nov 8 2022

Lenape healers or herbalists use a large number of plants for treating…


By Emily B. Sessa

Lenape Foodways

Nov 8 2022

The Lenape use hundreds of plants for food, including species that historically…


By Emily B. Sessa

Ginger and Chiya

Aug 4 2022

Specimen Stories

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


By Ang Lama

Season it with Leaves

Jul 14 2022

Specimen Stories

Culinary herbs are plants with aromatic properties and that are used for…


By Amy Weiss

Okra’s journey to the United States

Jan 21 2022

Specimen Stories

Many culinary delights that Americans enjoy today, especially in the Southern United…


By Elizabeth A. Gjieli

The Three Sisters

Oct 2 2020

Specimen Stories

Companion planting is the technique of growing plants closely together for mutual…


By Leanna Feder

The Sacred Plant of Peru: The San Pedro…

Sep 25 2020

Specimen Stories

For thousands of years, the indigenous people of Peruvian Amazon have used…


By Lin Li

Traditional Medicine: Momordica charantia

Sep 21 2020

Specimen Stories

Momordica charantia L. is a plant species that is used in the…


By Ina Vandebroek

Rainbow of Plant Dyes

Aug 17 2020

Works of Art

People have been dyeing their clothing with plants since ancient times. All around…


By Sarah Dutton

Plant Inspired Innovations: Nepenthes and Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous…

Apr 13 2020

Focus on Science

Most plants absorb nutrients from the soil through their roots. Carnivorous plants…


By Lin Li

The Cotton Plant and Enslaved Labor

Feb 20 2020

The Cotton Plant (Gossypium) stood at the center of the most exploitative…


By Rashad Bell, Nuala Caomhanach

The Peanut Plant and a Black Genius

Feb 20 2020

“One reason I never patent my products is that if I did,…


By Rashad Bell, Nuala Caomhanach

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

Old Man's Beard: A Medicinal Lichen

Feb 7 2020

Focus on Science

Usnea is a genus of lichen, commonly known as Old Man’s Beard. …


By Ana Maria Ruiz

Love Potions & Charms

Feb 6 2020

Specimen Stories

Love potions and charms are mentioned countless times throughout literature; from ancient…


By Leanna Feder

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