Brigitte MarsPomegrates (Punica granatum) are native to South Asia, the pomegranate is a member of the Lythraceae (Henna) Family and believed to be a native of Iran. The name, pomegranate comes from the Latin, meaning “apple with many seeds.” Its red...
Pumpkins (Curcurbita pepo) are members of the Curcurbitaceae (Gourd) Family, and a relative of melons and squash. Their genus is from the Latin for gourd and species name is derived from the Greek word for “Sun ripened.” Originating in...
Radish (Raphanus sativus) is a member of the Brassicaceae (Mustard) Family and originated from western Asia. The genus name Raphanus is derived from Greek, meaning, “easily raised.” The word radish comes from the Latin radix, meaning...
Eggplants (Solanum melongena) are members of the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family, making them relative to tomato, green pepper and tobacco. It’s species name, melongena, means “soothing mad apple,” as it once had a reputation of...
Endive (Cichorium endiva) and escarole (Cichorium species) are members of the Asteraceae (Daisy) Family and native to Eurasia and northern Africa. Colonists brought the plants to North America and Thomas Jefferson, amongst others, grew it as a...
Figs (Ficus carica) are members of the Moraceae (Mulberry) Family. Native to the area of the Middle East and Mediterranean, they are mentioned frequently in The Bible. Buddha became enlightened while sitting under a bo tree, a species of fig (Ficus...
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi, C. decumana) is the largest member of the Rutaceae (Citrus) Family. Grapefruit was grown in India and Malaysia more than 4,000 years ago; however, grapefruit was “discovered” on Barbados and by 1880, had...
Grapes (Vitis vinifera), members of the Vitaceae (Grape) Family, are one of the planet’s earliest cultivated foods. The genus name, vitis refers to “vine” and the species name, vinifera means, “wine bearing.” Believed...
Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus, P. tuberosus), (pronounced HEE-ka-ma), is native to Central America, where it is also known as Yam Bean or Mexican Turnip. The genus name, Pachyrhizus is derived from the Greek and means “thick root.” The...
Kale (Brassica oleracea) is a member of the Brassicaceae (Mustard) Family, making it a relative of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. Native to Asia Minor, it is considered the closest relative to wild cabbage. The species name, oleracea means...
