Author: Draw Botanical
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The Mint Family
The Mint Family Lamiaceae Fun Fact: Gill-over-the-Ground is a versatile, edible, and medicinal member of the mint family often used to support digestive health. Plants in the Mint Family share these traits: -Square stems –Opposite leaves –Usually aromatic –“Mouthy” flowers with 5 petals Learn more about the Mint Family Mint Family Portrait by Wendy Hollender (Buy … Continued
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The Amaryllis Family
The Amaryllis Family Amaryllidaceae Fun Fact: Waxed, pre-potted amaryllis bulbs can bloom indoors without any water or soil. Plants in the Amaryllis Family share these traits: Flowers -Produced on scapes –6 tepals produced in 2 whorls –6 stamens Leaves -Pungent or not –Linear parallel veining Bulbs reform annually from the base of the old bulb … Continued
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The Carrot Family
The Carrot Family Apiaceae Fun Fact: Before the 16th century, carrots were primarily purple, white, or yellow. Dutch farmers are credited with breeding orange varieties during the 17th century. Plants in the Carrot Family share these traits: -Compound Flower Umbels -5 sepals, 5 petals, usually bisexual –Usually hollow flower stalks -Pinnate leaves –Tap root –Aromatic … Continued
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The Sunflower Family
The Sunflower Family Asteraceae Fun Fact: The Sunflower Family is the largest family of flowering plants with over 30,000 individual species. Plants in the Sunflower Family share these traits: -Composite Flowerheads (center disk female flowers, florets that develop into seeds) –Outer large petals, called ligulate or ray florets, that house male ray flowers often are … Continued
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The Gourd Family
The Gourd Family Cucurbitaceae Fun Fact: Beyond food, dried gourds were essential for bowls, instruments, and water storage by ancient civilizations. They were used as currency in Haiti in the early 1800s, and the country’s currency is still called a “gourde.” Plants in the Gourd Family share these traits: -Vining plants with tendrils –Unisexual flowers … Continued
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The Pea Family
The Pea Family Fabaceae Fun Fact: Peas are considered one of the oldest cultivated crops, with archaeological evidence of their domestication dating back to the late Neolithic period. Plants in the Pea Family share these traits: -Flowers have “Banner, wings, and keel” –Pea-like pods, often with pinnate leaves Learn more about the Pea Family Pea … Continued
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The Cashew Family
The Cashew Family Anacardiaceae Fun Fact: Cashew shells are covered by urushiol, the same toxic oil found in poison ivy. Post-harvest, the cashews are always roasted, boiled, or steamed before the shells are removed. Plants in the Cashew Family share these traits: -Flowers often with 5 petals and sepals -Pinnate and alternate leaves -Irritant oils … Continued
