Kids Encyclopedia

Fuchsia — Fuchsia is a genus of flowering plants, mostly shrubs, which were identified by Charles Plumier in the late 17th century, and named by Plumier in 1703 after the German botanist Leonhart Fuchs (1501–1566). The English vernacular name Fuchsia is the same as the scientific name. There are about 100–110 species of Fuchsia. The great majority are native to …

Freesia — Freesia is a genus of 14-16 species of flowering plants in the family Iridaceae, native to Africa. Of the 14 species, 12 are native to Cape Province, South Africa, the remaining two to tropical Africa, one species extending north of the equator to Sudan. The genus was named in honor of Friedrich Heinrich Theodor Freese (1795-1876), German physician. …

Foxglove — Foxglove, Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and biennials that was traditionally placed in the figwort family Scrophulariaceae. Due to new genetic research, it has now been placed in the much enlarged family Plantaginaceae. The genus is native to Europe, western and central Asia, and northwestern Africa. The members of this genus …

Forsythia — Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Oleaceae (olive family). There are about 11 species, mostly native to eastern Asia, but one native to southeastern Europe. The common name is also Forsythia; the genus is named after William Forsyth. They are deciduous shrubs growing to 1–3 m (rarely 6 m) tall, with rough grey-brown bark. …

Forget-me-not — The Forget-me-nots are the genus Myosotis of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. There are about 50 species in the genus, and among them there is considerable variation. Nevertheless a considerable number of the species fit the same description, of a small (1 cm diameter or less) rather flat 5-petalled blue flower growing profusely on straggly stems, flowering …

Feverfew — Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium; syn. Chrysantheim parthenium (L.) Pers., Pyrethrum parthenium Sm.) is a traditional medicinal herb which is found in many old gardens, and is also occasionally grown for ornament; which are then used in Christmas trees. the plant grows into a small bush up to around 18 inches high, with citrus-scented leaves and is covered by flowers …

Evening Primrose — Oenothera is a genus of about 125 species of annual, biennial and perennial herbaceous flowering plants, native to North and South America. It is the type genus of the family Onagraceae. Common names include evening primrose, suncups, and sundrops. The species vary in size from small alpine plants 10 cm tall (e.g. O. acaulis from Chile), to …

Dutchman’s-Pipe — Aristolochia is a large plant genus with over 500 species. Collectively known as birthworts, pipevines or Dutchman’s pipes, they are the namesake of the family (Aristolochiaceae). They are widespread and occur in the most diverse climates, but they are not native to Australia. Some species, like A. utriformis and A. westlandii, are threatened with extinction. This is a …

Dogbane — Apocynum is a genus with about seven species, commonly known as Dogbane and Indian Hemp. The genus occurs throughout most of the temperate Northern Hemisphere, except for being absent from western Europe. Apocynum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Mouse Moth. Dogbane, Apocynum, or Indian hemp, is an herb of …

Dieffenbachia — Dieffenbachia is a genus of tropical plants in the Family Araceae noted for their patterned leaves. Members of this genus are popular as houseplants because of their tolerance to shade. The Dieffenbachia is often referred to as the “King of Plants”. The cells of the Dieffenbachia plant contain needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals called raphides. If a leaf is …