Kids Encyclopedia

Aphelandra — Aphelandra is a genus of about 170 species of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, native to tropical regions of the Americas. They are evergreen shrubs growing to 1-2 m tall, with opposite, simple leaves 5-30 cm long, often with white veins. The flowers are produced in dense spikes, with brightly coloured bracts. Several species are grown as …

Anise — Anise or Aniseed, less commonly anís (stressed on the second syllable) (Pimpinella anisum), is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native to the eastern Mediterranean region and southwest Asia. It is a herbaceous annual plant growing to 1m tall. The leaves at the base of the plant are simple, 2-5 cm long and shallowly lobed, while leaves …

Anemone — Anemone is a genus of about 120 species of flowering plants in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae in the north and south temperate zones. They are closely related to Pasque flower (Pulsatilla) and Hepatica (Hepatica); some botanists include both of these genera within Anemone. The plants are perennial herbs with an underground rootstock, and radical, more or less deeply …

Amaryllis — Amaryllis is a monotypic (only one species) genus of plant also known as the Belladonna Lily or naked ladies. The single species, Amaryllis belladonna, is a native of South Africa, particularly the rocky southwest region near the Cape. It is often confused with the Hippeastrum, a flowering bulb commonly sold in the winter months for its propensity to …

Amaranth — Amaranthus, collectively known as amaranth or pigweed, is a cosmopolitan genus of herbs. Approximately 60 species are presently recognised, with inflorescences and foliage ranging from purple and red to gold. Members of this genus share many characteristics and uses with members of the closely related genus Celosia. Although several species are often considered weeds, people around the world …

Alyssum — Alyssum is a genus of about 100-170 species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region. The genus comprises annual and perennial herbaceous plants or (rarely) small shrubs, growing to 10-100 cm tall, with oblong-oval leaves and yellow or white flowers (pink to …

Aloe — Aloe is a genus containing about four hundred species of flowering succulent plants. The genus is native to Africa and is common in South Africa’s Cape Province and the mountains of tropical Africa, and neighbouring areas such as Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula and the islands off Africa. The APG II system (2003) placed the genus in the family …

Allspice — Allspice, also called Jamaica pepper,”Kurundu” Myrtle pepper, pimento , or newspice, is a spice which is the dried unripe fruit of the Pimenta dioica plant. The name “allspice” was coined by the English, who thought it combined the flavour of several aromatic spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Allspice is not, as is mistakenly believed by some …

Alfalfa — Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), also known as lucerne, purple medic and trefoil is a perennial flowering plant cultivated as an important forage crop. In the UK, where it is not widely grown, it is known as lucerne. Alfalfa lives from three to twelve years, depending on variety and climate. It is a cool season perennial legume, sometimes growing to …

Alder, White — Alnus rhombifolia (White Alder) is an alder native to western North America, from Washington east to western Montana and south to California, occurring at altitudes of 100–2400 m. It has not been reported from northern Baja California but has been predicted to occur there on the basis of its climatic adaptation. It is a medium-sized deciduous tree …