Description: A seaweed in the form of a multicellular, leaf-like, branched thallus of ribbon-like fronds sub-divided at their ends. The shape of the thallus is variable. The green colouring substance chlorophyll is covered with the red pigment phycoerythrine which gives the alga its crimson to purple colour. The thallus turns green in strong sunlight, however.

Distribution: Grows on coastal rocks in the northern parts of the Atlantic ocean, abundantly in some places, particularly Ireland (hence the name), but the main supplier is the USA. Read the rest of this entry »

Description: A tropical branching tree up to 12 m high. Evergreen, leathery leaves are ovoid, acuminate, on long petioles. Tiny greenish-yellow flowers arranged in axillary panicles on long pedicels. Fruit are dark red, pea-sized berries.

Origin and Distribution: Native to Taiwan, China and Japan, and successfully cultivated in Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Florida, as it grows well in all warm regions. Read the rest of this entry »

Description: A low, subtropical, evergreen tree; its leaves resemble those of the lemon tree, but the petioles are winged. No thorns. Flowers and flower buds are pure white on both sides. Unlike the lemon tree which flowers, several times a year, bergamot flowers only once a year. Mature fruits are yellow, globose or broadly pyriform; in some cultivars (Terminello) the style remains on the fruit until ripe. Pulp is sour, with a pleasant scent. Read the rest of this entry »

Description: A tropical annual plant with an angular stem. Creeping or twining stems have tendrils and are usually 1-4 m long. Branched roots rarely penetrate deeper than 20-25 cm into the soil. Leaves are bright green, long petioled, rough, with five points. Flowers are bright yellow. Fruits are large, oblong, club-shaped, ovoid or cylindrical berries. Immature fruits are green, ripe ones orange-yellow to brown. Read the rest of this entry »

Description: An annual plant with a branched root, whose secondary rootlets feed on the roots of other plants. The plant is a semiparasite. The leafy stem is erect, branched all the way up, about 20-30 cm high, and covered with soft hairs. The leaves are opposite, without petioles, and deeply cut. The two-lipped flowers are usually white flecked with yellow on the lower lip, sometimes light violet, about 1 cm long, arranged in spikes.

Distribution: Grows throughout Europe, in damp meadows, pastures and other grassy areas in lowlands and mountains. Read the rest of this entry »

Description: Like numerous other species of this genus, Eucalyptus globulus is a robust, evergreen tree about 70 m high. The young leaves are opposite, sessile, cordiform-ovoid, and hoary blue in colour, while older leaves are alternate, 15-25 cm long, narrow and curved like a sickle. Large solitary white flowers appear in the leaf axils. They have a woody calyx, which forms a peripheral circular collar, and a corolla forming a thick, dish-like conical cap which falls off after the stamens unfold. All parts of the tree are abundantly permeated with cells bearing the pungent volatile oil. Read the rest of this entry »