Aloe vera or aloe (lat. Aloe barbadensis M.) is a perennial plant named after the botanist Muller who discovered it in Barbados and included it in the list of medicinal plants. Its natural habitats are warm and dry areas, so it thrives best in regions where the annual average temperature is around 22°C (Caribbean, Mexico),
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Almond (lat. Prunus amygdalus) is a woody plant from the rose family (Rosaceae), and the fruits it produces, despite popular opinion, are not nuts (peanuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts, chestnuts) but stone fruits. Thus, the almond is a relative of the plum, cherry, apricot and peach. Almonds originate from Iran, although throughout history they have spread
Vine (lat. Vitis vinifera L.) belongs to the group of perennial climbers and the Vitaceae family, i.e. vines. The vine, whose form is cultivated, is professionally called Vitis vinifera ssp. vinifera. The popular names of vines are trs, loza, čokot, wine vine, vinika and others, and it often depends on the place where the vine
Salad (lat. Lactuca sativa L.) is a leafy vegetable that belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family (Compositae). It consists of about 94% water, 2% sugar, 1.2% protein. It is rich in vitamins C, B1 and B2, potassium, iron, phosphorus and other mineral substances, and it is mainly grown for its leaves, which are used in
Bougainvillea (lat. Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd.) is a deciduous tropical and woody climber that belongs to the nightshade family (Nyctaginaceae). Although it is classified as a climber, it can also be grown as a shrub. It originates from Brazil, where it is still the most cultivated, but over time it has spread to all countries of
Cedar (lat. Cedrus) is one of eleven genera of coniferous, evergreen trees, which according to botanical systematics belong to the pine family (Pinaceae) and subfamily Abietoideae. This genus is often compared to the fir genus (Abies) – they are very similar in terms of morphology and cone structure and adaptability. Cedar is native to the
Buhač (lat. Tanacetum) is a perennial herbaceous species that belongs to the sedge family (lat. Asteraceae) and the genus Tanacetum. Buhač is a semi-shrub and grows wild in Africa and on stony, sunny Mediterranean terrains. In Croatia, the species “Dalmatian flea” (lat. Tanacetum cinerariifolium) along the entire coast, from Prevlaka to Istria and in Herzegovina
Caper (lat. Capparis) is a Mediterranean perennial and bushy plant that belongs to the genus Capparis and the Capraaceae family (Capparidaceae). It finds its habitat in arid and semiarid climate zones characterized by dry and hot summers and rainy autumns and winters. This plant can be seen growing wild throughout the Mediterranean, along the coast
Dragoljub or capuchin (lat. Tropaeolum majus) is a plant from the Tropaeolaceae family, native to the warmer regions of South America, specifically the regions of Colombia, Bolivia and Peru. In foreign languages, its names are garden nasturtium (eng.) or Indian cress (eng.) and nasturzio (ital.). Dragoljub is an ornamental and very useful plant, and it
Myrtle (lat. Myrtus) is a genus belonging to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). The species of this family are aromatic, decorative, heliophytic and xerophilous shrubs or small trees. Wildflower grows in the area of southern Europe, that is, the Mediterranean, but it also thrives in continental regions. In Croatia, it can be found in southern and
Chinese cabbage (lat. Brassica rapa var. pekinensis) is one of the more exotic species, which comes from the cabbage family (Brassicaceae), which are also called cruisers (Cruciferae). Its original name in Chinese is “pe-tsai”, which means “white vegetable”. The Brassicaceae family includes numerous species of commercial importance, which have been used for centuries in various
Wormwood (lat. Artemisia) is a genus of aromatic herbaceous plants that includes over 480 species. This genus belongs to one of the oldest and most valued medicinal plant species. The genus Artemisia belongs to the Asteraceae family, which includes species such as ragweed, chicory, chamomile, dandelion, cornflower, etc. The word “artemisia” comes from the name
Rapeseed oil (lat. Brassica napus L.) is a very important industrial species, a profitable plant that is cultivated for obtaining oil, which is extremely important in human nutrition, but also for industrial use. Its oil is not of such high quality for consumption, but is an integral part of industrial oils, lubricants, electric oils, soaps
Brazil nut, i.e. Brazil nut tree (lat. Bertholletia excelsa) comes from the family Lecythidaceae and is the only species in the monotypic genus Bertholletia. It was named after the French chemist Claude Louis Berthollet. The Brazil nut is a large evergreen tree that can grow 25 – 56 m in height. It is native to
Cardamom (lat. Elettaria cardamomum) is a perennial shrub that grows naturally in the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats in southern India, also known as the Cardamon Hills. The best quality cardamom comes from India, and it is also grown in the regions of Tanzania, Vietnam, Papua Guinea, Costa Rica and Guatemala, which today has
Passion fruit (lat. Passiflora edulis) is an evergreen fast-growing vine that can grow 9 – 12 m. It is grown in tropical and semi-tropical parts of the world. It grows naturally in southern Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina, and is also cultivated in Florida, Hawaii and California. The leaves of the plant are yellowish-green in
Avocado (lat. Persea americana Mill.) belongs to the laurel family (Lauraceae). It is most widespread in the tropical regions of America, but it can also be grown in areas with a Mediterranean climate, for example in Dalmatia. It is classified as a southern or subtropical fruit, such as pomegranate, pineapple, banana, date, guava, kiwi, coconut,
Elder (lat. Sambucus nigra L.) is also called zova, zovina, opatovina, bujad, aptika – these are all folk names for elder. This plant has fueled the imagination of various European folklores for centuries, where it often provided refuge for witches and was an indispensable ingredient in magical potions. Today, it is no longer attributed magical
Žutika (lat. Berberis) is a genus of thorny deciduous shrubs. To the barberry family of the same name (Berberidaceae), belongs to the species most famous in our region – common barberry (lat. Berberis vulgaris). It is also called boxwood, barberry, hawthorn, sour thorn, Turkish vine and yellow pomegranate. The Latin name of the genus Berberis
Bob (lat. vicia faba) is an annual herbaceous plant that comes from the legume family (Fabaceae). Unlike other types of beans that originate from the Americas, broad beans are believed to have come from the Middle East and have been cultivated since the Neolithic period. It is one of the oldest plants known on earth,
kumquat (lat. citrus japonicalisten)) is a small evergreen tropical tree of the root family (rutaceae), originally from Asia. It is extremely attractive as a landscape plant, both in the garden and in a large container on the terrace or balcony. This broadleaf plant has glossy dark green leaves and produces olive-sized fruits that resemble miniature