Category: PLANTS

Asparagus is a plant grown for its edible parts as a spring vegetable. It is loaded with vitamins K, C, and E; folate; inulin; saponin; flavonoids; polysaccharides; and alkaloids. The roots are tubular-shaped with a brown exterior and a white interior. The leaves are small and needle-like, protruding on the bark of the feather-like cladodes.…

Agarwood, also commonly called oud/oudh, eaglewood, and wood of gods, is a plant primarily used in the manufacturing of aromatic scents in perfumery. It is rich in terpenes and sesquiterpenes, genkwanins, mangiferins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. It has a cylindrical trunk and a rough bark with fissures. The leaves are oblong and leathery with a…

Commonly known as saltbush and orache, Atriplex is a plant genus that has been consumed as food by camels. It is rich in zinc, selenium, copper, phosphorous, phenolic acids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, betalains, oxalates, sterols, and essential oils. The plant is covered with bladderlike hairs collapsing to form a silvery and scurfy appearance. The…

Arrowroot, a starchy root vegetable, has been a delicacy in many parts of the world where it was a native, by extracting starch through its powdered flesh. It belongs to the family Marantaceae and is rich in carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, folate, phosphorous, Iron and potassium. It is gluten-free. Arrowroot flowers are small and occur…

Artichoke, also called “alcachofra” or “artichout” in some dialects, belongs to the family Asteraceae and has been used as a digestive aid and delicacy by native cultivars. The ‘heart’ receptacle is edible and should not be confused for Jerusalem artichoke. Artichoke has an erect stem with wide thistle-like leaves that are gray-green and lobed. The…

Amaranth is a general term used for more than 50 species of plants that are leafy vegetables, pseudocereals, and ornamental. In the eaten species, all parts are considered edible. The seeds can be ground into flour used in dishes like porridge or prepared like popcorn. The leaves, stems, and roots are edible vegetables. The dense…