Plants

Thursday, 14 May 2026
21 facts about olives
21 facts about olives
"Where the olive refuses to grow, there the Mediterranean world ends"
It is not known exactly when and where the first olive tree, characteristic of the Mediterranean region, grew. Paleobotanists claim that wild olives g ...

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Poinsettia
The Latin generic name "Euphorbia" commemorates the Greek physician Euphorbus, who in the 1st century AD treated the ruler of Mauritania, Juba II, with the milky sap of plants from the genus Euphorbia.
The species name "pulcherrima" was given to the plant by the German botanist Carl Ludwig Willdenow.
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Rapeseed
Rapeseed straw is not suitable for either animal feed or bedding.
It is used as fuel or for making fiberboard.
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Baobab tree
The reproductive period of flowers in baobab lasts about 15 hours.
They open around dusk with such speed that this process can be observed with the naked eye. They are open all night and wilt in the morning of the next day.
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Broad beans
Broad beans were also a very popular vegetable in medieval Europe.
It was a great food for poor people, especially during crop failures.
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Tomatoes
Immature tomatoes contain tomatine, which is present in every part of the plant and is toxic.
It is a natural substance used by the plant to defend itself against pests and diseases. This is why tomatoes were once considered poisonous, but as they ripen, the amount of tomatin decreases.
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Sycamore maple tree
The two tallest sycamore trees in Europe grow in Denmark and England.
Both trees measure about 40 m (131 ft). Two slightly lower specimens are found in the Netherlands and Germany, with heights of 37 m and 36.9 m respectively (~121 ft).
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Carob
Carob wood is also used.
In some regions of Greece, such as Crete, it is used as firewood. It is also used to make fences, pa ...
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Carrot
It contains large amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
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California poppy
Flowers are long-stalked and orange, yellow or red.
The petals are darker at the base. Some plants may have a pinkish tint to the petals.
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Ginkgo biloba
The ginkgo came to the Netherlands from Japan in the 18th century.
This was the first European country to introduce this plant. The oldest specimen is in the Botanical Garden in Utrecht. It is also the oldest specimen of the tree in Europe.
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24 facts about rapeseed
24 facts about rapeseed
Probably a hybrid
Rapeseed - one of three varieties of cabbage rapeseed (Brassica napus) is probably an offspring of two different species. It is one of the oilseed cro ...
23 facts about brussels sprout
23 facts about brussels sprout
A small cabbage with amazing flavor
Brussels sprouts are a botanical variety of cabbage belonging to the cabbage family. It probably originated from a cross between head cabbage and kale ...
16 facts about kale
16 facts about kale
An excellent ingredient for smoothies
Kale was known in ancient times, however, it was also consumed in the Middle Ages. Today we are rediscovering it thanks to its wealth of vitamins, min ...
20 facts about watercress
20 facts about watercress
A leader in the health category
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, watercress is one of the healthiest plants. Although it is one of the oldest plants ...
12 facts about sweet potato
12 facts about sweet potato
A creeping plant from the tropics
Yams, also known as sweet potatoes, are one of the healthiest foods, even in space. In fact, they have been appreciated by NASA and recognized as supe ...
18 facts about parsley
18 facts about parsley
Healthy from the root to the leaves
It is a vegetable commonly used in cooking. In addition to its taste, it also has many nutrients and can help with some ailments. Parsley root contain ...
18 facts about beetroot
18 facts about beetroot
Vitamin bomb
This under-appreciated vegetable is increasingly appearing on our tables and returning to favor. And this is great news because beets are a vegetable ...
18 facts about asparagus
18 facts about asparagus
Spring vegetables full of vitamins and nutrients
Asparagus, known to mankind since ancient times (more than 5000 years), still enjoys enduring popularity, especially in French, Italian, Spanish or Ge ...
15 facts about sunflower
15 facts about sunflower
Sun-like beauty
They came to Europe quite late because they came from the American continent. Cultivated for seeds, oil, or ornamental value, they quickly conquered t ...
13 facts about cinnamon
13 facts about cinnamon
One of the most closely guarded merchant secrets
It is a well-known and often used aromatic spice in the kitchen. We most often find it in confectionery, chocolate, and some alcoholic drinks. Althoug ...
18 facts about grapes
18 facts about grapes
Grapes do not come exclusively from one species of vine
Although it originated in the Middle East, it has spread all over the world. Thanks to this plant, it is possible to enjoy countless varieties of wine ...
13 facts about birch
13 facts about birch
Pioneer tree of the northern hemisphere
Although it is associated mainly with the Central Europe landscape, anyone who thinks that this plant does not occur on other continents is wrong. Var ...
17 facts about rowan
17 facts about rowan
Sorbus aucuparia
Although we know this plant as mountain ash, its scientific name is Sorbus aucuparia. It is a pioneer plant thanks to its frost resistance and low req ...
20 facts about garlic
20 facts about garlic
World leader in medicinal plants
Garlic, well known to all, is a vegetable, spice, and medicinal plant - in this field, it is a leader with clinically proven effectiveness. It is prod ...
17 facts about cocoa bean
17 facts about cocoa bean
Chocolate base
Cocoa is a commonly used term for the seeds of the cocoa tree. Widely known and liked by lovers of chocolate and all chocolate sweets, as well as supp ...
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