Eupatorium perfoliatum
Perennial wetland plant with paired leaves that appear to be pierced by the stem, and flat clusters of small white…
Boswellia serrata
A branching tree native to dry, rocky regions, tapped for its fragrant oleo-gum-resin, which is collected as hardened amber-colored droplets…
Arctium lappa
Large biennial with broad leaves and hooked burrs; root is the medicinal/culinary part.
Carum carvi
Biennial herb with feathery leaves; seeds are the familiar rye-bread spice.
Elettaria cardamomum
Tropical perennial in the ginger family; seed pods are the aromatic spice.
Nepeta cataria
Aromatic mint-family perennial, well known for its effect on cats but used differently in human herbalism.
Capsicum annuum
A hot chili pepper cultivar, grown as an annual in most climates, prized both as a culinary spice and for…
Apium graveolens
The tiny, aromatic dried seed of the celery plant, used as a culinary spice and traditional herbal remedy distinct from…
Inonotus obliquus
A dark, charcoal-like fungal growth (technically a sclerotium, not a typical mushroom cap) found on birch trees in cold climates.
Phyllanthus niruri
A small, weedy annual herb with slender branches lined with tiny, opposite leaves and small flowers and seed capsules tucked…
Vitex agnus-castus
A large aromatic shrub or small tree with palmate, finger-like leaves and long spikes of lavender-to-violet flowers, producing small dark,…
Stellaria media
Low sprawling annual with small white star-shaped flowers, common in gardens.
Allium schoenoprasum
A perennial member of the onion family with slender, hollow, mild-flavored leaves and attractive purple flower clusters, one of the…
Galium aparine
Sprawling annual with tiny hooked hairs that let it cling to clothing and fur, small white flowers, and whorled leaves.
Syzygium aromaticum
Tropical evergreen tree; cloves are the dried, unopened flower buds.
Symphytum officinale
Large-leaved perennial with bristly hairs and clusters of purple-pink bell-shaped flowers.
Coriandrum sativum
An annual herb in the carrot family whose fresh leaf (cilantro) and dried seed (coriander) are used as two distinct…
Zea mays
The fine, silky threads found inside an ear of corn, between the husk and the kernels — traditionally saved and…
Vaccinium macrocarpon
A low, trailing evergreen shrub native to North American bogs and wetlands, bearing tart red berries.
Murraya koenigii
A small tree whose aromatic leaves are a foundational flavoring in South Indian cooking — genuinely distinct from "curry powder,"…
Harpagophytum procumbens
Sprawling perennial with distinctive hooked, claw-like seed pods, native to the arid regions of southern Africa.
Anethum graveolens
A feathery-leaved annual in the carrot family, valued both for its fresh fronds (dill weed) and its aromatic seed, widely…
Sambucus nigra
The creamy-white, fragrant flower clusters of the same plant whose berries are already in this library as Elderberry — harvested…
Inula helenium
Tall, stately perennial with large leaves and big yellow daisy-like flowers, grown for its thick aromatic root.
Eleutherococcus senticosus
Spiny deciduous shrub; root is the medicinal part, distinct from true Panax ginseng.
Euphrasia officinalis
A small, semi-parasitic annual wildflower with tiny white flowers streaked with purple and a yellow throat, growing low in grasslands…
Trigonella foenum-graecum
An annual legume with clover-like leaves and small, angular yellow-brown seeds, one of the oldest cultivated spice and medicinal plants.
Tanacetum parthenium
Bushy perennial with small daisy-like flowers and yellow-green, feathery, strongly-scented leaves.
Linum usitatissimum
A slender annual with delicate blue flowers, grown for both its fiber (linen) and its small, oil-rich brown or golden…
Gentiana lutea
A tall alpine perennial with smooth oval leaves and clusters of bright yellow star-shaped flowers, prized for its thick, intensely…
Panax ginseng
A slow-growing woodland perennial with a distinctive forked, humanlike taproot, palmate leaves, and small red berries, cultivated primarily for its…
Hydrastis canadensis
Low woodland perennial with a single large lobed leaf and small greenish flower, prized for its bright yellow root.
Centella asiatica
A small, ground-hugging perennial with fan-shaped leaves, native to wetlands and low-lying areas throughout tropical Asia. Not related to the…
Camellia sinensis
An evergreen shrub whose young leaves and leaf buds are harvested and minimally processed (unlike black tea, which is fully…
Crataegus laevigata
Small thorny tree or shrub with white spring flowers and red berries in fall.
Marrubium vulgare
Woolly-leaved perennial with a distinctive musky scent and small white flowers in tight whorls.
Aesculus hippocastanum
A large ornamental shade tree with palmate leaves, upright clusters of white flowers in spring, and glossy brown seeds encased…
Armoracia rusticana
A hardy perennial root vegetable in the mustard family, valued for its intensely pungent root, which releases sharp, sinus-clearing compounds…
Equisetum arvense
An ancient, non-flowering perennial fern relative with hollow, jointed, bamboo-like stems that are notably rich in silica, giving them a…
Hyssopus officinalis
A semi-woody perennial in the mint family with narrow, aromatic leaves and spikes of small blue-purple flowers, historically significant in…
