Durian (Durio zibethinus) is a member of the Bombaceae (Durian) Family. The genus name is from the Malaysian duri, meaning spike, in reference to the sharp spines. Every year, people are killed by falling durians. The species name zibethinus means...
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...
Lemons (Citrus limon) are native to Southeast Asia and a member of the Rutaceae family. The storage capacity of lemons and limes made them useful for sailors who took them on long sea voyages to prevent scurvy (hence the sailor’s nickname...
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is native to central Asia, and a member of the Asteraceae (Daisy) Family, making it a relative of sunflowers and artichokes. The genus name Lactuca is from the Latin lac, meaning, “milk” based on the milky white...
Brigitte Mars