Brigitte MarsGrapes (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...
Apples, native to Eurasia, are members of the Rosaceae (Rose) Family, relatives of peaches and pears, and are known botanically as (Malus species). Malus is the Greek term for “round fruit.” Apples were traditionally hung on Yule trees to symbolize...
Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola), also known as Carambolla, when sliced horizontally, each slice looks like a golden star. Their genus name is in honor of Averrhoes, an Arabian physician and philosopher of the twelfth century. The common name...
Apricots (Prunus armeniaca) are members of the Rosaceae (Rose) Family, making them a relative of apple, peach and plum. They are believed to have originated in China, and that Alexander the Great brought them to Greece around the fourth century B.C...
Arugula (Eruca vesicaria) is also known as rocket, roquette, Italian cress and roka. Arugula is native to the Mediterranean region, where it grows so wild and abundantly, it only recently became cultivated. Arugula is a member of the Brassicaceae...
Avocado (Persea americana, P. gratissima) is a member of the Lauraceae (Laurel) Family, and sometimes referred to as alligator pear. Avocado is technically a fruit, but combines well with both fruit and vegetables. Native to Central America, it...
Bananas (Musa acuminata, M. sapientum) are native to Malaysia, India, tropical Africa and Australia. Technically, bananas are not from a tree, but from a large perennial herb. They are members of the Musaceae (Banana) Family. They are the second...
Salix spp. Salicaceae Names: White Willow, European Willow Part Used: Bark Constituents: Phenolic glycosides; salicin, picein and triandrin, with esters of salicylic acid and salicyl alcohol, acetylated salicin, salicortin and salireposide...
