Plants

The Plantain Banana (Musa × paradisiaca), commonly known as a cooking banana or plantain, is a starchy, versatile fruit integral to cuisines across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia. Unlike its sweet cousin, the Cavendish banana, plantains are typically cooked before consumption, offering a savory, robust flavor that shines in dishes like tostones, mofongo, … Read more

The Cavendish Banana (Musa acuminata ‘Cavendish’) is the most widely consumed banana variety globally, renowned for its creamy texture, sweet flavor, and vibrant yellow skin. As the backbone of the global banana industry, Cavendish bananas dominate supermarket shelves, offering a versatile fruit perfect for fresh eating, baking, and smoothies. Originating in Southeast Asia and popularized … Read more

Most holly species are dioeious plants — meaning they are either male or female, and each sex produces their own flowers. Only female plants produce berries, so bees are necessary to carry pollen from male flowers back to female flowers. As long as there are male plants within a 1 1/2 to 2 mile radius, … Read more

The world of chili peppers is a blazing frontier, where growers push the boundaries of heat to create cultivars that test the limits of human endurance. Belonging to the Capsicum genus in the Solanaceae family, these peppers, primarily Capsicum chinense and Capsicum annuum, originate from Central and South America but are now cultivated globally in … Read more

Red peppers, belonging to the Capsicum genus in the Solanaceae family, are a dazzling addition to gardens and kitchens, celebrated for their bold flavors, vibrant hues, and nutritional richness. Native to Central and South America, these peppers thrive in USDA zones 9–11 as perennials or as annuals in cooler zones, growing 1–5 feet tall with … Read more

Green peppers, belonging to the Capsicum genus in the Solanaceae family, are a cornerstone of culinary and gardening worlds, prized for their crisp textures, bold flavors, and nutritional benefits. Native to Central and South America, these peppers thrive in USDA zones 9–11 as perennials or as annuals in cooler zones, growing 1–5 feet tall with … Read more

Yellow peppers, part of the Capsicum genus in the Solanaceae family, are a colorful and flavorful addition to gardens and kitchens, offering a spectrum of tastes from sweet to fiery. Native to Central and South America, these peppers thrive in USDA zones 9–11 as perennials or as annuals in cooler zones, growing 1–5 feet tall … Read more

Catalpa trees, belonging to the genus Catalpa in the Bignoniaceae family, are celebrated for their dramatic foliage, vibrant flowers, and striking seed pods, making them a standout choice for ornamental landscapes. Native to North America, the Caribbean, and East Asia, these deciduous trees thrive in USDA zones 4–9, growing 20–100 feet tall with heart-shaped leaves … Read more

Botanical Classification Jackfruit, scientifically known as Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., belongs to the kingdom Plantae, phylum Tracheophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, and family Moraceae, which includes mulberries, figs, and breadfruit. Within the genus Artocarpus, it is distinguished by its large, unique fruit. The species name heterophyllus, derived from Greek (hetero meaning different, phyllus meaning leaf), reflects … Read more

Baobab trees, often called the “Tree of Life,” are iconic giants of tropical landscapes, revered for their massive, water-storing trunks and extraordinary longevity. Native to Africa, Madagascar, Australia, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula, these deciduous trees thrive in arid savannas and dry forests, supporting ecosystems with their fruit, leaves, and hollow trunks. Their cultural … Read more