Freesias are grown as ornamental plants in gardens or are sold as cut flowers. They have a nice smell, which is used in the production of cosmetic products.
The genus Freesia has several species of which Freesia alba, Freesia laxa and Freesia refracta are the most common.
Several species of Chrysanthemum are grown as ornamentals or to be used as cut flower.
The genus Chrysanthemum includes over 30 different species.
Bananas are the world's best-selling fruits, followed by apples and oranges. They originate from tropical South-East Asia but are now found in almost all tropical regions of the world.
The genus Musa includes several species and cultivars of bananas. Some are used as fruits, some as vegetables.
The name Lupine refers to many species in the genus Lupinus. Some are used as fodder or for soil improvement; others have edible seeds that are used as food.
Irises are flowering plants in the genus Iris which includes many wild and cultivated species. The flowers are gold-yellow, yellow, white, blue, or purple, but cultivated varieties can have different colors (pink, orange, etc.).
Cultivated irises are used as ornamental plants in gardens or as cut flowers.
Four species in the genus Zizania are known as wild rice, but they should not be confused with Asian rice (Oryza sativa), which is a plant in a different genus.
Of all species the grains can be used as a cereal, but the Manchurian wild rice is nowadays mainly cultivated in China to use the thickened stems as a vegetable.
The genus Sorghum includes several species. Sorghum bicolor is grown as a cereal crop while other species are used as fodder crops. Sorghum spp are grown throughout the drier tropics.
A walnut is an edible seed of trees of the genus Juglans. The best known species is the Common walnut (Juglans regia).
Capsicum is a genus of plants that includes several species of which the fruits are used as vegetables or spices. Some of these are hot peppers, while others are sweet peppers or bell peppers.
The genus Aster includes many species of which several are grown as ornamental plants. The name 'aster' has a Greek origin, meaning 'star'.
Amaranthus or amaranth is a group of plants belonging to the genus Amaranthus.
Seeds of Amaranth can be eaten as a grain. In that case they are called pseudograins or pseudocereals. However, most Amaranth species are grown as leaf vegetables or as ornamental plants.
The genus Coffea includes several species of coffee. The most important species are C. arabica and C. canephora.
Within the genus Morus, there are several species of Mulberries. While the mulberry produces edible fruits, it is better known as a fodder that is used to grow silk worms, which in turn are used to produce silk. Mulberry trees are also grown as ornamental plants in parks and gardens.
Names Scientific Porphyra umbilicalisEnglish Laver Taxonomy Order BangialesFamily BangiaceaeGenus PorphyraSpecies Porphyra umbilicalis (Laver) Crop categories Algae Minor crops Subtropical crops Tropical crops
Dioscorea is a genus which includes many species. They grow as lianas that can become 2 to 12 meter tall.
Several species within the Dioscorea genus produce edible tubers which are called yams. They are common in West Africa and New Guinea.
Tulips originate from Persia but are now often associated with The Netherlands, where the colorful tulip fields are a yearly tourist attraction.
Tulips are perennial, bulbous plants which are grown as ornamental plants in gardens or are grown to be sold as cut flowers.
The genus Tulipa has more than hundred species.
Names Scientific Lotus spp.English TrefoilDutch RolklaverFrench LotierGerman Hornklee Taxonomy Order FabalesFamily FabaceaeGenus LotusSpecies Lotus spp. (Trefoil) Crop categories Cool temperate crops Forage and fodder crops Green manures Legumes Minor crops Temperate crops
Roses are grown as ornamental plants in gardens or to be sold as cut flowers. Essential oils extracted from the petals are used in perfumes. Rose water can be used for cooking, in cosmetics and in religious rituals. Fruits of many species are rich in vitamins and are used in food or sometimes as medicine.
Rhubarb is usually considered to be a vegetable, but it is used rather as a fruit, to make desserts.
Cinchona originates from South America.
Quinine, which is produced from the bark of Cinchona species, is used to cure malaria.
The Cinchona genus includes a number of trees. Several species (Cinchona pubescens and Cinchona officinalis) are grown to produce quinine.
Names Scientific Mentha spp.English MintDutch MuntSpanish Mastranto MentaFrench MentheGerman MinzenItalian Menta Taxonomy Order LamialesFamily LamiaceaeGenus MenthaSpecies Mentha spp. (Mint) Crop categories Cool temperate crops Essential oils Herbs Mediterranean crops Minor crops Temperate crops
Several species in the genus Tagetes are used as ornamental plants in gardens. Some species are grown for industrial purposes such as food colors, or for essential oils. Marigolds are also grown to deter insect pests and nematodes.
Bush clovers or Japanese clovers are plants in the genus Lespedeza. Several species are grown as forage crop, for soil enrichment, to prevent erosion, or as ornamental plants.
Names Scientific Lavandula spp.English LavenderDutch LavendelSpanish LavandulaFrench LavandeGerman LavendelItalian LavandaOther Lavanta Taxonomy Order LamialesFamily LamiaceaeGenus LavandulaSpecies Lavandula spp. (Lavender) Crop categories Arid crops Essential oils Herbs Industrial crops Medicinal plants Mediterranean crops Minor crops Subtropical crops
Jasmine flowers are used to make Jasmine Tea and in the production of perfumes and incense.
The genus Jasminum includes many species. Some cultibated species are: Jasminum grandiflorum, Jasminum nudiflorum, Jasminum officinale, and Jasminum sambac.
Gerbera flowers are grown as ornamental plants or to be used as cut flowers.
The genus Gerbera includes about 30 different species.
Names Scientific Ribes spp.English CurrantSpanish GrosellaGerman Johannisbeere Taxonomy Order SaxifragalesFamily GrossulariaceaeGenus RibesSpecies Ribes spp. (Currants) Crop categories Cool temperate crops Fruits Minor crops Temperate crops
Daffodils are grown in gardens as ornamental plants or they are sold as cut flowers.
The genus Narcissus includes at least 35 different species.
Wild species of Dahlia originate from Mexico.
Most Dahlia species which are cultivated as ornamental garden planst or for use as cut flowers are hybrids.
The genus Dahlia include over 30 different species.
Several species of Crocus are grown as ornamental plants. Some species flower in spring while other produce flowers in autumn.
The genus Crocus includes over 80 different species.
Clover is the common name for plants in the genus Trifolium. The genus name refers to the fact that leaves are trifoliate (three leaves).
There are about 300 clover species. Some of these are cultivated as fodder crops (e.g. White clover, Red clover and Crimson clover).
Chokeberries originate from eastern North America.
Chokeberries are often grown as ornamental plants. They are not very important as a fruit crop. Fruits can be used to make wine, jam, syrup, juice or tea. Fruits of the red chokeberry can be eaten raw.
There are 3 species of chokeberries: red, black and purple.
Carnations are grown as ornamental plants or for cut flowers.
The genus Dianthus includes over 300 species. A well known species is Dianthus caryophyllus (Clove Pink) which has been cultivated for the last 2000 years.
The genus Vaccinium includes several edible fruits such as Blueberry, Bilberry, Cranberry, Whortleberry, Lingonberry, Cowberry and Huckleberry. They all grow in regions with a temperate climate.
