Petroselinum crispum Umbelliferae Habitat: Native to the Eastern Mediterranean, cultivated worldwide. Collection: The root is collected in the autumn from two year oldplants. the leaves can be used any time during the growing season. Part Used: The...
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a member of the (Chenopodiaceae) Goosefoot Family. The genus name Spinacia means “spine”, referring to its spiny seeds and the species name oleracea refers to a garden herb used in cooking. Native to...
Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are an edible root and member of the Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory) Family. They are not related to common white potatoes, which are in the Nightshade family. The genus name, Ipomoea is from the Greek ips, meaning...
Turnip (Brassica rapa, B. campestris) is technically a white version of rutabaga. The species name, rape is from the Latin word for turnip. The old English word for turnip is from naep, which when blended with the Anglo-Saxon word turn, meant...
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is a member of the Brassicaeae (Mustard) Family, making it a relative of cabbage and radish. The genus name is from the Latin, nasus tortus, and meaning “writhing nose” in reference to the pungent...
Winter Squash (Curcurbita maxima) is a member of the Curcurbitaceae (Gourd) Family. They originated Central America. The word “squash” is from a Narragansett and Iroquois word, askutasquash and isquoutersquash. Winter squashes include...
Raspberries (Rubus species) are members of the Rose family in which apples, peaches, plums and strawberries are also included. Technically, raspberries are not a true fruit, but a cluster of druplets surrounded by many small round seeded fruits...
Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum, R. rhaponticum) can grow from seven to ten feet high with elephant ear-like leaves. The name Rhubarb is derived from the Latin rha barbarum, referring to the region of the Rha River (ancient name for the Volga River)...
Limes (Citrus hystrix, C. aurantifolius, C. latifolia) are members of the Rutaceae (Citrus) Family. Limes are believed native to the Southeast Asia. The word lime is derived from the Arabic lim. In 1753, the Scottish naval surgeon, James Lind...
Papaya (Carica papaya) is a member of the Caricaceae (Paw Paw) Family and native to Central America. In Cuba “papaya’ is slang for “female fruit” or “female genitalia,” as the shrub, resembling a palm, has male...
David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMH
Brigitte Mars