(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...