Tag: edible plant

PRICKLY PEAR: Properties, Uses and Benefits

Freak of Natural Staff

  Common Name: Prickly Pear, Indian Fig Opuntia, Nopal Cactus Species: Opuntia Ficus Indica Family: Cactaceae   Prickly pear cactus, also known as Nopal, Opuntia and other names, it is a type of cactus, characterized by its remarkable resiliency and adaptation to arid and semi-arid climates. It thrives in dry, arid places in the tropical and sub-tropical areas worldwide. This plant can tolerate drought well, and capable to stand low temperatures as occur at night in the desert. This succulent plant can reach 4-5 meters in height. It has a shrubby pattern, its branches and…

PULMONARIA: Properties, Uses and Benefits

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Boraginaceae Species: Pulmonaria Officinalis Common Names: Lungwort, Pulmonaria, Bethlehem sage   This shade plant is not only attractive, but surprisingly resilient. Lungwort prefers moist locations but can survive in drier locations if enough shade is provided. If planted in full sun, the plant will wilt… I suggest grow them under trees where other plants may have a hard time. LUNGWORT CULTIVATION Lungwort plants grow in clumps and reach a height of about 40 cm. In proper conditions they can spread rapidly, root division should be carried out in…

DELOSPERMA / PURPLE ICE PLANT: Properties, Uses and Benefits

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Aizoaceae Species: Delosperma Common Names: Ice Plant, Delosperma, Crystalline Iceplant, Hardy Ice Plant Delosperma is a succulent, perennial ground cover with daisy-like flowers. The plants grow to be 10-20 cm tall; foliage is mostly evergreen and make a great year-round ground cover. While the plant is evergreen, it will often lose part of foliage in winter; freezing temperatures combined with wet conditions. ICE PLANT CULTIVATION Being a succulent, prefers full sun and very dry, sandy, poor soil. These plants don’t tolerate well wet, heavy soils and much fertilization.…

CALENDULA OFFICINALIS: Not Just a Bless for Your Skin and Garden

Freak of Natural Staff

  Common Name: Pot Marigold, Common Marigold, Calendula Species: Calendula Officinalis Family: Astareaceae   Calendula Officinalis is an annual short-life aromatic plant native to the Mediterranean, but widely spread around the globe and cultivated for centuries as food and for its medical many uses. Calendulas are considered by many gardening experts as among the easiest and most versatile flowers to grow in a garden, especially because they tolerate most soils and climates. CULTIVATION Seeds have a distinct curved shape almost looking like little worms, and are sown in spring in temperate climates…

GARLIC MUSTARD: A Very Nutritious Invasive Plant

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Brassicaceae Species: Alliara Petiolata Common Name: Garlic Mustard, Garlic Wort, Hedge Garlic, Poor-man’s-mustard   Garlic Mustard is a biennial plant; the first year, plants appear as a rosette of green leaves close to the ground; remain green through the winter and develop into mature flowering plants the following spring. It’s a highly invasive plant widely growing in early spring on the side of roads, and waste lands. The leaves are triangular with a distinctive outline, flowers that are produced in spring and summer have four white petals. The fruit…

PLANTAGO LANCEOLATA – RIBWORT PLANTAIN: Properties, Uses and Benefits

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Plantaginaceae Species: Plantago Lanceolata Common Name: Ribwort Plantain, Narrowleaf Plantain, Ribgrass   Ribwort Plantain is a perennial herb with a thick rhizome and fibrous roots. Leaves are lanceolate with 3-5 strong parallel veins along. The inflorescence is a short spike, densely flowered with white flowers that bring plenty of small seeds. Very closely related to Plantago Major, it’s very tolerant and can adapt to extreme condition, This plant can actually live anywhere from very dry meadows to places similar to a rain forest, roadsides, open woodlands and grasslands.…

COMMON MALLOW: Properties, Uses and Benefits

Freak of Natural Staff

  Common Names: Common Mallow, Malva Vulgaris, Marsh Mallow Family: Malvaceae   Mallow is usually an annual, sometimes perennial plant of the Malvaceae plant family. Normally small hairs cover its creeping stems and leaves. It can grow up to 60 cm in height. Leaves are dark green, while the flowers are pink with purple darker veins. Its fruit splits into numerous small seeds. CULTIVATION A very easy plant to grow, doesn’t require particular care and grow with success in ordinary garden soil, so that is often considered invasive and easily spotted…