(Frangula alnus) Family: RhamnaceaeAlso known as: Arrow Wood, Berry-bearing Alder, Black Alder, Black Dogwood, Breaking Buckthorn, Glossy Buckthorn, and Glossy False BuckthornOrigin: North Africa, Lower Europe and parts of western China Right from the proverbial “Git go,” don't confuse Alder Buckthorn with European Buckthorn, Sea Buckthorn or the exotic, large-leaf-clad,...

Leucophyllum frutescens (Family: Scrophulariaceae)Also known as: Barometer Bush, Texas Ranger, Purple Sage and Silver Leaf SageOrigin: Southwestern U.S. and Northern Mexico Written about further in The Medicinal Jungle, Volume II“As to those rather diverse names, I have noted that, in fact, this plant’s blooms can arise as a result of...

(Dracaena angolensis) Family: AsparagaceaeAlso known as: Bow String Hemp, Cylindrical Snake Plant, Elephant’s Toothpick, Skyline Spear, Sansevieria, and Spear SansevieriaOrigin: AngolaWritten about further in The Civilized Jungle, Volume I and The Medicinal Jungle, Volume I“With only the slightest imagination, both its most common name and that of Elephant’s Toothpick...

Alexandrian Laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum) Family: ClusiaceaeAlso known as: Alexandrian Laurel Balltree, Beach Calophyllum, Beach Touriga, Beauty Leaf, Borneo-Mahogany, Dilo Oil Tree, Indian Laurel, Indian Doomba Oil Tree, Indian-laurel, Laurelwood, Mastwood, Red Poon, Satin Touriga, and Tacamahac TreeOrigin: Tropical East Africa to eastern Polynesia“Laurel would be incomplete without the addition...

(Kalanchoe pinnata) Family: CrassulaceaeAlso known as: Cathedral Bells, Flaming Katy, Goethe Plant, Life Plant, and Miracle LeafOrigin: Asia, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, Micronesia, Mascarenes, Melanesia, New Zealand, Philippines, Polynesia, and West Indies Written further about in The Civilized Jungle, Volume III and The Medicinal Jungle, Volume IIThis character...

(Saintpaulia ionantha) Family: GesneriaceaeAlso called: No names knownOrigin: Tanzania and KenyaHow well I remember from my youth these plants - enjoyed by generations for their compact size, velvety leaves, and colorful blooms - happily thriving in the southern bay window of my love-filled grandparent’s home in Larned, Kansas, where...

(Opuntia leucotricha) Family: CactaceaeAlso known as: Arborescent Prickly Pear or SemaphoreOrigin: Central MexicoIf its spiny needles were likened to a beard, better bring on the industrial-strength shaving cream! Many are aware of the contemporary use of Optunia family flowers and “paddles” in the making of body lotions, creams, jams, pickles,...

(Euterpe oleracea) Family: Arecaceae Also known as: Assai Palm, Pina Palm, Euterpe Palm or Cabbage Palm in some regions – but don’t confuse it with the Sabal Palmetto – called by that same name – which grows profusely throughout the Southeastern U.S. and parts of the Caribbean. Origin: Eastern Amazonia,...

Also known as Macaw Fat TreeOrigin: Angola and GambiaAs discussed in my book The Civilized Jungle, Volume I"I am rather conflicted regarding this beautiful palm, as part of the terrible out–of–control deforestation of the magnificent (and critical to humanity's survival) South American Rain forest is being done to create...