Anthophyta
- flowering plants
Monocots
Dioscoraceae
yam family
Yam
(Dioscorea japonica and D. opposita)
Asparagaceae
asparagus family
Asparagus
(Asparagus officinalis) Europe
Bromeliaceae
bromeliad family
Pineapple
(Ananas comsus)
S. Amer.
Alliaceae
onion family
C Allium spp.
Chinese
Chives (A. tuberosum)
Chives
(A. schoenoprasum)
Garlic
(A. sativum)
Leek
(A. porrum)
Onion
(A. cepa) includes Tree, Egyptian &
Catawissa Onion
Shallot
(A. ascalonicum)
Orchidaceae
orchid family
Vanilla
(Vanilla planifolia) C. Amer. pods of an
orchid
Iridaceae
iris family
Saffron
(Crocus sativus) Asia stigma
Muscaceae
banana family
Banana
(Musa X)
Zingiberaceae
ginger family
Cardamom
(Elettaria cardamomum)
India & Ceylon - fruit
Ginger
(Zingiber officinale)
rhizome
Turmeric
(Curcuma longa) SE Asia - rhizome for spice
& yellow dye
Araceae
- arum family
Arrowroot
(Maranta arundinacea)
Breadfruit?
(Monstera deliciosa)
Tannia (Xanthosoma
sagittifolium) similar to Taro
Taro/poi
(Colocasia antiquorum)
Arecaceae
- palm family
Coconut
(Cocos nucifera)
oceanic islands
Date
Palm (Phoenix dactylifera)
Palm
Hearts (Euterpa oleraceae, Cocos nucifera, Bactris gasipaes, Daemonorops schmidtiana)
Palm
Oil (Elais guineensis)
western Africa
Palmyra
or Borassus Palm (Borassus
flabellifer) - sugar, drink made from the sap of
the fruit
Sago
Palm (Metroxylon sagu New
Guinea & Moluccas, Caryota urens India, Metroxylon rumphii Indonesia, Oreodoxa oleraceae American tropics, Eugeissona utilis
Borneo, Phoenix acaulis
India & Burma, Arenga saccarifera
?) pith starch
Sugar
Palm (Arenga pinnata)
Wild
Date Palm (Phoenix sylvestris) used for sugar
production by collecting sap (1 lb. sugar/3 qts. sap)
Cyperaceae sedge family
Chinese
water chestnut (Eleocharis duleis) China
Poaceae
grass/grain family
Sugar
Cane (Saccharum officinarum)
Bamboo Shoots (Bambusa
vulgaris & Phyllostachys
pubescens)
Rice
(Oryza sativa) SE Asia
Red
Rice (Oryza glaberrima)
SE Asia
American
Wild Rice (Zizania aquatica)
N. American Great Lakes
[grass
family continued]
Six-rowed
Barley (Hordeum vulgare)
Fertile Crescent
Two-rowed Barley (Hordeum
distichon) 'Malt' barley - very young seedlings
are dried to produce malt which contains enzymes that convert starch to sugars.
Pearl Barley - de-husked grain
Maize (Zea
mays) S. Mexico & Guatemala dent, flint,
flour, pop, sweet, pod
Oat
(Avena sativa) derived from Avena fatua
Red Oats (Avena
byzantina)
Rye
(Secale cereale)
C Triticum spp.
Bread Wheat (T. aestivum)
hexaploid; 90% of world wheat crop
Durum Wheat (T. durum) used for
pasta, couscous, bulgur
Emmer
(T. dicoccum)
Rivet,
Cone or English Wheat (T. turgidum)
Triticale
(X Triticosecale)
1st human-produced cereal: a hybrid of wheat (T. aestivum or T. durum and rye (S. cereale)
C Millet grains
Sorghum,
Great Millet (Sorghum bicolor)
Finger
Millet (Eleusine coracana)
India
Bullrush Millet (Pennisetum
typhoideum) Africa
Teff (Eragrostis
tef) Ethiopia
Hungry
Rice (Digitaria exilis, D. iburua)
Nigeria
Adlay, Job's Tears (Coix lachryma-jobi)
Common Millet (Panicum
miliaceum) Asia - 'birdseed millet' - high
protein & fat
Little
Millet (Panicum miliare)
Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) E. Asia -N.Am.
'weed'
Japanese
Millet (Echinochloa frumentacea)
Barnyard
Millet (Echinochloa crus-galli)
Kodo Millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) India
Brown-top
Millet (Brachiaria ramose) India
Paleoherbs
Piperaceae
pepper family
Black
Pepper (Piper nigrum)
Woody Magnoliids
Lauraceae
- laurel family
Avocado
(Persea americana) Central Amer.
Bay
leaf (Laurus nobilis)
Mediterranean
Camphor
(Cinnamomum camphora)
China, Japan wood
Cassia
(Cinnamomum cassia) bark
Cinnamon
(Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
India & Ceylon - inner bark
Sassafras
(Sassafras albidum) oil from wood & bark
used mostly in medicine
Myristicaceae
nutmeg family
Nutmeg
& Mace (Myristica fragrans)
Molucca Islands of Indonesia - seed & aril
Illiaceae
star-anise family
Star-Anise
(Illicium verum)
China fruit
Annonaceae
sweetsop family
C Annona spp.
Bullock's
Heart (A. reticulata)
Cherimoya
(A. cherimolia)
Ilama
(A. diversifolia)
Soncoya
(A. purpurea)
Soursop
(A. muricata)
Sweetsop
(A. squamosa)
Eudicots
Theaceae
- tea family
Tea
(Camellia sinensis) Asia
Lecythidaceae
brazil nut family
Brazil
Nuts (Bertholletia exelsa)
S. America
Paradise
Nut (Lecythis usitata & L. zabucajo)
Clusiaceae
St. Johns-wort family
Mangosteen
(Garcinia mangostana)
Malaysia - fruit & aril
Ebenaceae
ebony family
Persimmon (Diospyros kaki
- China & Japan; Diospyros virginiana - N. Amer.)
Sapotaceae
sapodilla family
Chicle,
Sapodilla (Manilkara sapota)
Yucatan (Mexico) gum base
Polygonaceae
- buckwheat family
Buckwheat
(Fagopyrum esculentum)
C. & NE Asia high in lysine
Rhubarb
(Rheum rhaponticum)
Sorrel
(Rumex acetosa)
leaves
Chenopodiaceae
goosefoot family
Beets
(Beta vulgaris) Europe - includes Sugar Beet (B. vulgaris
var. esculenta),
Chard, Red Beet
Caρihua (Chenopodium
pallidicaule) high elevation South America -
fruits/leaves
Orache
(Atriplex hortensis)
Quinoa
(Chenopodium quinoa) S. America -
fruits & leaves; high in methionine (lacking in
most legumes) & lysine (lacking in most grasses)
Spinach
(Spinacea oleracea)
Amarathaceae
pigweed family
Amaranth
(Amaranthus cruentus,
A. caudatus, A. leucocarpus,
A. hypochondriacus) N. & S. America - seeds
& leaves - high in lysine, linoleic acid & squalene (currently derived from shark liver to produce
steroids & some cosmetics)
Malvaceae -
cotton family
Cotton
(Gossypium) oil
Okra
(Hibiscus esculentus) Africa
Sterculiaceae
cacao family
Cocoa
(Theobroma cacao) S. Amer.
Cola
(Cola acuminate, C. nitida,
C. anomala,
C. verticillata)
fruit
Euphorbiaceae
spurge family
Cassava
or Tapioca (Manihot utilissima)
Moraceae
fig family
Breadfruit
(Artocarpus communis)
Indo-Malaysia - fruit is roasted = starch staple
Jack
Fruit (Artocarpus integrifolia)
Indo-Malaysia - fruit similar to breadfruit but larger, some weighing 70 lbs.
Mulberry
(Morus nigra)
W. Asia
Tropical
America Fig (Ficus carica) W. Asia
White
Mulberry (Morus alba)
Asia
Punicaceae
pomegranate family
Pomegranate
(Punica granatum)
Asia
Bombacaeae
baobab family
Durian
(Durio zibethinus)
Malaysia & Burma - arils surrounding seeds; also known as >heaven
& hell fruit= because it tastes
like heaven but smells like hell!
Caricaceae
pawpaw
family
Papaya
(Carica papaya) S. Amer.
Pawpaw
(Carica condamarcensis)
Capparidaceae
caper family
Capers
(Capparis spinosa)
Mediterranean - unopened flower buds
Brassicaceae
mustard family
Horseradish
(Amoracia rusticana)
root
Radish
(Raphanus sativus)
Rat-tailed
Radish (Raphanus caudatus)
Watercress
(Nasturtium officinale)
White
Mustard (Sinapis alba)
seeds and seedlings
C Brassica spp.
Black
Mustard (B. nigra) Europe - seeds
Canola
oil (B. napus)Europe
(B. campestris)
China, India - rapeseed oil
Mustard
(B. juncea)
Pak-Choi (B. chinensis)
Rutabega (B. oleracea
X Raphanus sativus)
- hybridization performed during the Middle Ages
Turnip
(B. rapa)
Wild
Cabbage (B. oleracea) Europe - includes
Cabbage, Savoy, Kale, Brussel Sprouts, Broccoli,
Cauliflower and Kohlrabi
Cucurbitaceae
squash family
Balsam
Pear or Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia)
Bottle
Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)
used as containers when dry
Chayote
(Sechium edule)
Central Amer. - fruit, young shoots, leaves and large fleshy roots
Cucumber
(Cucumis sativus)
Gherkin
(Cucumis anguria)
Luffa
or Loofah (Luffa cylindrica)
Melon
(Cucumis melo)
includes Honey Dew, Muskmelon, Cantaloupe and Ogen
Melon
Snake
Gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina)
Squash
(Cucurbita pepo)
includes Pumpkin, Zucchini, Courgette and Summer
Squash
Watermelon
(Citrullus vulgaris)
Winter
Squash (Cucerbita maxima)
includes Hubbard and Turban squash
Rutaceae
- citrus family
Japan
Pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum)
C Citrus spp.
Citron
(C. medica)
Grapefruit
(C. paradisi)
Kumquat
(C. spp.)
Lemon
(C. limon)
Lime
(C. aurantifolia)
Pomelo
(C. granda) China
Sour
Orange (C. aurantium)
Sweet
Orange (C. sinensis)
Tangerine
(C. reticulata)
Ugli (C. paradisi
X reticulata) hybid of grapefruit and
tangerine
Anacardiaceae
sumac family
Cashew
(Anacardium occidentale)
Mango(Mangifera
indica) Indo-Burma
Pistachio
(Pistacia vera) Iran, C. Asia
Oxalidaceae
wood-sorrel family
Starfruit
or Carambola (Averrhoa
carambola)
Burseraceae
pili family
Pili (Canarium
indicum) Indo-Malaysia
Sapindaceae
soapberry family
Akee
(Blighia sapidai)
W. Africa - fleshy, cream-colored aril
Aceraceae
maple family
Maple
Syrup (Acer saccharum) E. N. America - Sugar
Maple
(Acer
nigrum) E. N. America - Black Maple
Apiaceae
carrot family
Angelica
(Angelica archangelica)
Anise
(Pimpinella anisum)
Mediterranean - fruit
Caraway
(Carum carvi)
Europe, Africa, Asia - fruit
Carrot
(Daucus carota)
Celery
(Apium graveolens)
Chervil
(Anthriscus cereifolium)
leaves
Coriander
& Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) coriander=fruit, cilantro=leaves
Cumin
(Cuminum cyminum)
fruit
Dill
(Anethum graveolens)
Mediterranean, Europe - seeds, lvs. & oil
Fennel
(Foeniculum vulgare
var. dulce)
Parsley
(Petroselinum crispum)
Mediterranean - high in vitamins A & C and minerals, breath
freshener
Parsnip
(Pastinaca sativa)
Ericaceae
heath family
C Vaccinium spp.
American
Cranberry (V. macrocarpon)
Billberry
(V. myrtillus)
Cowberry
(V. vitis-idaea)
Cranberry
(V. oxycoccus)
Highbush
Blueberry (V. corymbosum)
Lowbush
Blueberry (V. angustifolium)
Actinidiaceae
kiwi family
Kiwi
(Actinidia chinensis)
China - previously known as the Chinese gooseberry, name changed for marketing
Papaveraceae
poppy family
Poppy
seed (Papaver somniferum)
Vitaceae
grape family
Fox
Grape (Vitis labrusca)
American - used as root stocks
Grapes
(Vitis vinifera)
West Asia?
Muscadine (Vitis
rotundifolia) American - used as root stocks
Aquifoliaceae
holly family
Matι (Ilex paraguensis)
S. Amer. - leaves used to make a tea: caffeine & theobromine
Betulaceae
birch family
Filbert
(Corylus maxima)
Hazel
Nut (Corylus avellana)
Europe & Asia
Fagaceae
beech family
Sweet
Chestnut (Castanea sativa)
Rosaceae
- rose family
Azarole
(Crataegus azarolus)
Dog
Rose (Rosa canina) rose hips
Eastern
Wild Strawberry (F. virginiana)
Loquat
(Eriobotrya japonica)
Medlar
(Mespilus germanica)
Mountain
Ash (Sorbus aucuparia)
Quince
(Cydonia oblonga)
Rose
Hips (Rosa rugosa)
Service
Berry (Sorbus domestica)
Strawberry
(Fragaria sp. hybrids) N. Amer.
West
Coast Pine Strawberry (F. chiloensis)
C Rubus spp.
Rasberry
(R. idaeus)
Blackberry
(R. ulmifolius)
Boysenberry (R.
ulmifolius X loganobaccus)
performed by the founder of Knott=s
Berry Farm
Cloudberry
(R. chamaemorus)
Dewberry
(R. caesius)
Loganberry
(R. loganobaccus)
Wineberry
(R. phoenicolasius)
[rose family
continued]
C Ribes spp.
American
Gooseberry (R. divaricatum)
Black
Current (R. nigrum)
Currant
Gooseberry ( (R. hirtellum)
Gooseberry
(R. grossularia)
Red
Current (R. sativum)
White
Current (R. sativum) lacks the red
pigment
C Prunus spp.
Almond
(P. dulcis) (P. amygdalus?)
American
Sloe (P. alleghaniensis)
American
Wild Plum (P. americana)
Apricot
(P. armeniaca)
Bird
Cherry (P. padus) flavoring
Blackthorn
Plum (P. spinosa) sloe gin flavoring
Bullace Plum (P. insititia)
Cherry
Plum (P. cerasifera)
Chickasaw
Plum (P. angustifolia) N. Amer.
Damsons
Plum (P. damascena)
Gages
Plum (P. italica)
Japanese
Plums (P. triflora and P. salicina) China
Nectarine
(P. persica var. nectarina)
Oregon
Plum (P. subcordata)
Peach
(P. persica)
Pear
(P. communis)
Plums
& Prunes (P. domestica = P. spinosa X P. cerasifera)
Sour
Cherry (P. cerasus)
Sweet
Cherry, Black Cherry, White Cherry (P. avium)
Texas
Plum (P. orthosepala)
C Malus spp.
Crab
apple (M. pumila - Europe; M. baccata - Asia)
Edible
Apples (M. pumila)
Juglandaceae
walnut family
Black
Walnut (Juglans nigra)
Butternut
(Juglans cinerea)
English
Walnut (Juglans regia)
Japanese
Walnut (Juglans sieboldiana)
Pecan
(Carya illinoensis)
Fabaceae
- legume family
Asparagus
Pea (Lotus tetragonolobus) S. Europe - edible pod
Bambarra Groundnut (Voandzeia
subterranea) West Africa - similar to the peanut
only low oil content, used for their starch and protein content
Broad
Bean (Vicia faba)
Carob
(Ceratonia siliqua)
Chick
Pea (Cicer arietinum)
Cowpea
(Vigna unguiculata)
Africa
Fenugreek
(Trigonella foenum-graecum)
Mediterranean seed & vegetable
Jack
Bean (Canavalia ensiformis)
American tropics - fodder crop
Lablab
or Hyacinth Bean (Dolichos lablab) Asia
Lentil
(Lens culinaris) Mediterranean
Licorice
(Glycyrrhiza glabra) Mediterranean
rhizomes & roots, 50X sweeter than sucrose
Moreton Bay Chestnut (Castanospermum australe)
seeds are nutlike
Pea
(Pisum sativum)
Peanut
(Arachis hypogaea)
S. Amer., 2-3K BC - oil, seed
Pigeon
Pea (Cajanus cajan) Africa - seed
Soybean
(Glycine max) China, 3K BC - oil, seed
Tamarind
(Tamarindus indica)
pods contain a brown pulp around the seeds which is eaten fresh and used as a
seasoning
Tarwi (Lupinus
mutabilis)
Yam
Bean (Pachyrhizus erosus)
S. Amer. legume
C Phaseolus spp.
Adzuki
Bean (P. angularis) Japan & China
Black
Gram (P. mungo) India
Butter
Bean, Lima Bean (P. lunatus) S. America
Andes
Kidney
Bean, Boston Baked Bean, Black Bean, (P. vulgaris)
Moth
Bean (P. aconitifolius) India
Mung
Bean (P. aureus)
Pillepesara
(P. trilobus) India
Scarlet
Runner (P. coccineus) S. Amer. - green
bean
Tepary
Bean (P. acutifolius) Mexico, U.S.
Myrtaceae
- eucalyptus family
Allspice
(Pimenta dioica)
C. America fruit combines flavor of cinnamon, clovers & nutmeg
Cloves
(Syzygium aromaticum)
Indonesia - flower buds
Guava
(Psidium guajava)
Trapaceae
water chestnut family
Ling
(T. bicornis)
China seed
Singhara nut (T. bispinosa) India - seed
Water
Chestnut or Caltrops (Trapa natans) Europe - seed
Rubiaceae
- coffee family
Coffee
(Coffea arabica ) Ethiopia
Robusta Coffee (Coffea
canephora) Ethiopia
Oleaceae
olive family
Olive
(Olea europaea)
fruit, oil
Lamiaceae
- mint family
Catnip
(Nepeta cataria)
Marjoram
(Origanum majorana)
leaf
Menthol
(Mentha arvensis)
Oregano
(Origanum vulgare)
leaf
Peppermint
(Mentha piperita)
leaf
Rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis)
leaf
Sage
(Salvia officinalis) leaf
Savory
(Satureja hortensis)
Sesame
(Sesamum indicum)
Africa - seed & oil
Spearmint
(Mentha spicata)
leaf
Sweet
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
leaf
Thyme
(Thymus vulgaris) leaf
Solanaceae
- potato family
Aji
(Capsicum baccatum) C. & S. America -
Cape
Gooseberry (Physalis
peruviana)
Cherry
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum
var. cerasiforme)
Eggplant
or Aubergine (Solanum
melongena)
Garden
Huckleberry (Solanum intrusum)
Ground
Cherry (Physalis pruinosa)
Hot
Pepper (Capsicum chinensis) C. & S.
America - includes habanero
Hot
Pepper (Capsicum frutescens) C. & S.
America - includes Jalepeρo, tabasco
Pear
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum
var. pyriforme)
Potato
(Solanum tuberosum)
S. Amer.
Sweet
Pepper (Capsicum annuum) C. & S. America -
includes bell and cayenne
Tobacco
(Nicotiana tobacum)
Tomatillo
(Physalis ixocarpa)
Mexico
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) S. Amer.
Tree
Tomato (Cyphomandra betacea)
Convolvulaceae
morning glory family
Sweet
Potato (Ipomoea batatas) S. Amer.
Asteraceae
- sunflower family
Artichoke
(Cynara scolymus)
flower head
Cardoon
(Cynara cardunculus)
leaf stalks
Chicory
(Cichorium intybus)
Dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale)
Endive
(Cichorium endivia)
Jerusalem
Artichoke (Helianthus tubersosus)
Lettuce
(Lactuca sativa) includes Romaine,
Iceberg, Buttercrunch
Niger
Seed (Guizotia abyssinica)
Africa - oil
Safflower
(Carthamus tinctorius)
Mediterranean Linoleic acid; seed oil & flower dye mixed with talc to
make rouge
Salsify or Oyster Root (Tragopogon porrifolius)
root
Scorzonera
(Scorzonera hispanica)
root
Sunflower
(Helianthus annuus) Mexico - oil, seed
Tarragon
(Artemesia dracunculus)
leaf
Proteaceae
- protea family
Macadamia
(Macadamia ternifolia) NE Australia
Cycadophyta
Cycadaceae
cycad family
Sago
(Cycas revolute Japan & C. circinalis
Sri Lanka, India) starch
Pinophyta
Pinaceae
pine family
Pignola
(Pinus pinea)
Europe -seed
Pine
nut (Pinus edulis,
P. monophylla,
P. cembroides)
N. America - seed