Plants that start with S

Sage is a shrub originally from the Mediterranean region. It has pale greyish furry leaves, and grows all year around. Is used to flavour fatty meat dishes, and as an ingredient in sausages in some countries. It is very commonly used with onions as stuffing for chicken or pork.

Salvation Jane, also known as Patterson's curse or Viper's Bugloss, was a garden plant in Europe but once introduced to Australia it became one of the worst weeds in the country. It grows to about 60cm tall and has purple flowers. It is toxic and can kill some animals like sheep and horses if they eat too much of it.

A scallion, also called a green onion or spring onion, is a type of onion that doesn't have a large bulb at the bottom and is grown for its leaves and stems. They are commonly used in stir-fries and salads.

Seaweed is the common name for any very large kinds of algae that grow in the sea. Seaweed comes in all shapes and sizes, but the majority is long and thin and strap-like.

Some kinds of seaweed are edible, and can be used raw or cooked in soups or in sushi.

Shallots, also called eschallots, are a type of onion, but with a sweeter and milder flavour. Like garlic, they grow in clusters that can be separated.

Shrubs, sometimes called bushes, are small trees that branch from near the ground instead of having a long, bare trunk. Shrubs are often grown in people's gardens.

Silverbeet is a vegetable better known as chard in many countries.

Snapdragons are an old-fashioned flower. The flower can be squeezed to make it open like a dragon's mouth, which is why they are called snapdragons.

They should be planted in well-drained soil in full sun. They can be planted at any time of year, and take about 8-10 weeks to flower. They come in a big range of colours, but shades of pink and white are most common.

Sorghum is a type of grass that is grown for its seeds for food and also for fiber to make things from. It is grown mainly in Africa, and is used both for human and animal food. It can be popped like popcorn and can be made into couscous.

Soybeans, or soya beans are a type of legume that are used for many, many purposes. Soy beans can be used to make soy sauce, tofu, soy milk and a great many other things. They can also be cooked and eaten when they are still green and fresh. Soy beans must be cooked before they can be eaten.

Soy beans contain protein that is close to exactly what humans need, and are a great food source for vegetarians.