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Acanthus, or bear's breeches, is an attractive, hardy ornamental perennial plant that grows to around a metre high. It has big, glossy dark green leaves and a tall flower spike. It often dies down during the drier months. It is extremely hardy and will tolerate heavy frost and heavy drought. It has thick roots, and if you try and dig the plant up it will regrow from any broken roots that are left behind. This makes it very easy to grow new plants from root cuttings or by breaking up a clump.
Ais forAfrican daisy
This plant is regarded as a weed in parts of Australia.
Ais forAgapanthus
Algae are a large group of very primitive plants. Algae usually grow in the water, and the algae most people are familiar with is the green slime that grows on the inside of fish tanks.
Algae can range in size from that familiar green slime right through to what is commonly called seaweed. Most algae grows in the water, but it can also be found on land too.
Some algae grow with other organisms. Lichen is algae and fungi growing together. Some corals and sea sponges have algae growing inside them to provide them with oxygen and sugars.
Algae can range in size from that familiar green slime right through to what is commonly called seaweed. Most algae grows in the water, but it can also be found on land too.
Some algae grow with other organisms. Lichen is algae and fungi growing together. Some corals and sea sponges have algae growing inside them to provide them with oxygen and sugars.
The almond is the seed inside the fruit of the almond tree. Almond trees grow up to 10 metres tall. They are related to plums, cherries and apricots. Most people think of almonds as a nut, not the seed of a fruit.
Almonds can be eaten raw or roasted and salted, or used in cooking cakes and puddings.
Almonds can be eaten raw or roasted and salted, or used in cooking cakes and puddings.
Aloe vera is a type of succulent plant, suited to arid regions. The plant is supposed to have many medicinal properties, and you often see aloe vera added to tissues - the aloe are supposed to stop your nose getting red if you have a cold and blow your nose a lot. Aloe vera is meant to be very good for your skin, and it helps burns heal faster.
Alyssum is a small, annual plant that grows to about 20cm high. It is sometimes known as sweet alyssum or sweet Alison. It flowers for most of the year, and makes a pretty ground cover. It has bundles of tiny flowers in shades of white, purple and pink. Alyssum copes well with heat, drought and frost and is a very hardy cottage garden plant.
Amaranths are a large group of plants that include some fast-growing weeds. Some varieties of amaranth, particularly the grain amaranth, grow a large crop of highly-nutritious seeds, and are sometimes referred to as the 'crop of the future'.
Some species of amaranth have edible leaves and can be cooked or eaten raw as a salad vegetable.
Some species of amaranth have edible leaves and can be cooked or eaten raw as a salad vegetable.
Anise or aniseed is a small plant related to fennel and celery. It is grown for its seeds, which have a similar taste to liquorice. It is a different plant to star anise.
Globe artichokes are a type of thistle. The edible part of the artichoke is the young flowerbud. Artichokes are usually boiled in salted water until they are tender. In some countries they are deep fried.
Arugula, also known as rocket, is a leafy green plant. It is a kind of salad herb with peppery, slightly bitter leaves.
People often eat arugula raw in salads or on sandwiches. It can also be cooked in soups or mixed into warm dishes.
People often eat arugula raw in salads or on sandwiches. It can also be cooked in soups or mixed into warm dishes.
The asparagus spears that you buy in the shops are the new shoots of a type of plant. They are eaten as a vegetable, and can be cooked in a variety of ways. They are usually eaten alone as a side dish rather than mixed into something else like a stew.
The avocado is the fruit of a tree native to south and central America. It prefers to grow in tropical areas.
Avocados are much higher in fat than other fruits. The avocado has a big seed inside it, and a hard skin, so you can only eat the soft flesh in between. Their flesh is yellow to green, and has a texture that is a little like butter, hence one of their common names of "butter fruit". The flesh of the avocado can be spread on bread or crackers, or the flesh can be diced and used as an ingredient in salads.
Avocados are much higher in fat than other fruits. The avocado has a big seed inside it, and a hard skin, so you can only eat the soft flesh in between. Their flesh is yellow to green, and has a texture that is a little like butter, hence one of their common names of "butter fruit". The flesh of the avocado can be spread on bread or crackers, or the flesh can be diced and used as an ingredient in salads.