Brigitte MarsCherries (Prunus avium, P. cerasus) are members of the Rosaceae (Rose) Family, and relatives of apples and strawberries. The species name, avium means “for the birds”. Cherries are native to Eurasia. In ancient Greece, cherries were...
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are members of the Liliaceae (Lily) Family, which makes them closely related to garlic and onions. The species name schoenoprasum is derived from two Greek words: schoinos, meaning reed-like and prason, meaning leek...
Corn (Zea Mays) is technically a grain, not vegetable. Corn is a member of the Poaceae (Grass) Family. The genus name, zea is from the Greek, meaning grain. The word corn throughout history has meant a grain sized lump. In England, corn means wheat...
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...
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...
Brussels Sprouts (Brassica oleracea, of the Gemmifera group) originated in Brussels, Belgium in the sixteenth century and like their relative broccoli, were developed from wild cabbage. Brussels sprouts are formed of twenty to eighty baby cabbages...
Cabbage, (Brassica oleracea), a member of the Brassicaceae (Mustard) Family, is derived from wild cabbages brought from Asia by roving Celts around 600 BC. The word cabbage is from the Latin caput, meaning “head”, due to cabbage’s...
Carrot (Daucus carota sativa) is a member of the Apiaceae (Parsley) Family. Daucus is the ancient name for Wild carrot, also known as Queen Anne’s Lace, the ancestor of today’s cultivated carrots. The ancient Greek word for carrot was...
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...
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...
