Tag: Garden plants

While most of the over 600 species of sedum are generally non-toxic, consuming certain varieties can cause stomach upset or other adverse effects. Knowing the difference between edible stonecrops and potentially harmful ones is critical for anyone considering adding this popular succulent to their diet.

Eight medium strawberries contain 160% of your daily recommended amount of Vitamin C, surpassing an orange. Beyond being a nutritional powerhouse, understanding the diverse function of strawberries reveals their crucial role in both natural ecosystems and human health.

Native American tribes have long utilized the purple coneflower (Echinacea) for a variety of medicinal purposes. But, are purple coneflower leaves edible for general culinary use? While all parts of the plant are technically considered safe to ingest, their flavor profile and potential side effects require careful consideration before consumption.

Native to Asia, daylilies (*Hemerocallis*) have a rich history spanning thousands of years, having been cultivated for both their ornamental beauty and their practical uses. While known for their vivid, single-day blossoms, what are day lilies good for extends far beyond mere aesthetics, encompassing the kitchen, medicine cabinet, and the wider garden ecosystem.

With a history dating back to 15th-century China, poms flowers are a versatile and resilient bloom used for much more than just decoration. Also known as pompon chrysanthemums, these flowers are prized in floral design for their texture and volume, while other uses range from natural insect repellent to traditional herbal remedies.

The Latin name for the most common arbutus tree, *Arbutus unedo*, translates to 'I eat only one,' which famously suggests the fruit's underwhelming taste. This native Mediterranean shrub is known for its beautiful appearance but leaves many wondering about its red, bumpy fruit. While technically edible, the fruit's texture and flavor profile are important to understand before eating it fresh.

According to botanists, water spinach is not a true spinach but rather belongs to a completely different plant family. This surprising fact challenges a common culinary assumption, leading many to question the precise relationship and characteristics that separate these two leafy greens.

Sweet potatoes are root vegetables belonging to the Convolvulaceae (morning glory) family, not the Fabaceae (legume) family. This botanical fact is crucial for understanding plant classifications and distinguishing the sweet potato from true legumes, such as beans and peas.