A Vanilla Voyage: Exploring the Spice's Legacy in…

Aug 12 2023

Specimen Stories

Vanilla planifolia, commonly known as vanilla, is one of the most instantly…


By Jason Lopez

Black Pepper: King of Spices

Feb 18 2023

Specimen Stories

It’s hard to imagine entering a diner, sitting down on the shiny…


By Amy Sahud

Black Rice

Apr 10 2024

African rice, Oryza glaberrima, has been essential to recognizing the contributions of…


By Kenneth Reginald Otero-Walker

Coquito

Aug 12 2023

The scent of vanilla has always been one of my absolute favorites. It…


By Jason Lopez

Cultivation and Ecology of Dates

Apr 10 2024

Focus on Science

The date palm requires ample sunlight, high temperatures (though it can survive…


By Tara Allen

Date Syrup Jallab

Apr 10 2024

Specimen Stories

There are many recipes featuring dates and their byproducts across many cultures,…


By Tara Allen

Eight Days of Oil

Dec 16 2019

Specimen Stories

Oil has a special significance for those who celebrate Hanukkah. This Jewish…


By Sarah Dutton

Ethnobotanical Uses of Dates

Apr 10 2024

Specimen Stories

Although eating the fruit may be the most well-known use of the…


By Tara Allen

Fleshy Fruits

Nov 8 2022

In addition to being eaten straight from the tree or shrub, many…


By Emily B. Sessa

Fruits of Rosaceae

Apr 22 2023

Specimen Stories

Flowering plants differ from all other plants by producing seeds within fruits;…


By Amy Weiss

Ginger and Chiya

Aug 4 2022

Specimen Stories

Ginger, also known as Zingiber officinale is native to tropical climates like…


By Ang Lama

Heard it through the grapevine

May 21 2019

Specimen Stories

Vitis is the genus of one of the world’s favorite horticultural crop:…


By Philip Evich

Lenape Foodways

Nov 8 2022

The Lenape use hundreds of plants for food, including species that historically…


By Emily B. Sessa

Lenape Plant Medicines

Nov 8 2022

Lenape healers or herbalists use a large number of plants for treating…


By Emily B. Sessa

Love Potions & Charms

Feb 6 2020

Specimen Stories

Love potions and charms are mentioned countless times throughout literature; from ancient…


By Leanna M. Feder

Mango

Aug 3 2023

The mango plant, scientifically known as Mangifera indica which means “an Indian…


By Michael Noi

Mulled Cider

Nov 18 2019

Specimen Stories

Put these fruits, seeds, bark, and flower buds together to get mulled…


By Amy Weiss

Nuts

Nov 8 2022

Pictured above are a few of the many species of nut-bearing trees…


By Emily B. Sessa

Okra’s journey to the United States

Jan 21 2022

Specimen Stories

Many culinary delights that Americans enjoy today, especially in the Southern United…


By Elizabeth A. Gjieli

Plantways of the Lenape People

Nov 8 2022

The New York Botanical Garden is located on land that is part…


By Emily B. Sessa

Rice and its Wild Relatives

Sep 26 2019

Specimen Stories

Humans have been farming rice for approximately 10,000 years. The two major…


By Leanna M. Feder

Rooted in Plants: An Interview with Arvolyn Hill

Feb 12 2021

Specimen Stories

Arvolyn Hill is the Family Programs Coordinator at the Everett Children’s Adventure…


By Laura Briscoe

Season it with Leaves

Jul 14 2022

Specimen Stories

Culinary herbs are plants with aromatic properties and that are used for…


By Amy Weiss

Tea

Feb 5 2019

Specimen Stories

Tea is a widely popular and culturally significant beverage brewed from the…

The Biodiverse Parents of America's First Wines

Apr 17 2025

Popular wines you may find yourself sipping on, like Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio,…


By Luke Sparreo

The Nourishing Power of Dates

Apr 10 2024

Specimen Stories

As the Islamic month of fasting – Ramadan – comes to a…


By Tara Allen

The Peacock Flower and Reproductive Resistance

Feb 20 2020

“Indians, who are not well treated in their servitude by the Dutch,…


By Rashad Bell, Nuala Caomhanach

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