AMERICAN GARDENER

Hawthorn trees (genus Crataegus), commonly called hawthorn, quickthorn, thornapple, May-tree, whitethorn, Mayflower or hawberry, is a genus of several hundred species of shrubs and trees in the family Rosaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America. The name “hawthorn” was originally applied to the species native … Read more

Cedrus libani, the cedar of Lebanon or Lebanese cedar, is a species of tree in the genus Cedrus, a part of the pine family, native to the mountains of the Eastern Mediterranean basin. It is predominantly in Lebanon, but also in parts of Turkey, Syria, and Cyprus. Typically found at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to … Read more

Cedrus deodara also referred to as Himalayas cedar is indigenous to the Western Himalayas, spanning from Eastern Afghanistan through Northern Pakistan, across India (particularly Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand), and into Western Nepal. They can grow to be quite large, often reaching heights of 40-60 meters (131-197 feet) in their natural habitat, though … Read more

Urtica dioica, commonly referred to as common nettle, burn nettle, or simply nettle, is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the Urticaceae family. This species, native to Europe, parts of temperate Asia, and North Africa, has now spread globally. Nettle is categorized into six subspecies, with five of these known for their numerous hollow, stinging … Read more

Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) is one of the most notorious weeds, particularly for lawn enthusiasts, due to its aggressive growth and ability to take over turfgrass. In other words, they are slender monocotyledonous pasture and forage plants. Crabgrass has a low-growing, sprawling habit with stems that radiate outward from a central point, giving it a crab-like appearance, … Read more

Stellaria media, chickweed, is an annual flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It is native to Eurasia and naturalized throughout the world, where it is a weed of waste ground, farmland and gardens. It is sometimes grown as a salad crop or for poultry consumption. The name Stellaria media was published by Domínique Villars in Histoire des plantes du Dauphiné in 1789. It … Read more

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) also known as little hogweed, or pursley) is a plant that straddles the line between weed and valuable crop. Originally from India and Persia, it has spread globally and is considered a weed in many places, but it’s also cultivated as a vegetable. it is an annual (actually tropical perennial in USDA growing zones 10–11) succulent in the family Portulacaceae. Purslane is a … Read more

Camellia oleifera, also known as the tea oil camellia or huangshan oil camellia, is native to southern China. It has been cultivated in China for over 2,500 years, primarily for its oil-rich seeds. Historically, the oil extracted from its seeds has been used in Chinese cooking, traditional medicine, for lighting lamps, and as a base … Read more

Camellia sinensis, commonly known as the tea plant, is native to East Asia, particularly the area around the juncture of Northeast India, North Burma, Southwest China, and Tibet. Its use in tea production likely started in China around 2737 BC during the reign of Emperor Shennong, according to legend. Common names include tea plant, tea … Read more

Camellia reticulata is native to southwestern China, particularly in Yunnan Province. It has been cultivated in China for centuries, originally for its beautiful flowers. Camellia reticulata was first introduced to the Western world in the early 19th century. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that it became more widely known and cultivated outside China, … Read more