Plants that start with L

Lantana, also called ham n eggs or bacon n eggs, is a pretty flowering plant from the tropical areas of America and Africa. It is grown for its flowers as a garden plant. In some parts of the world it has spread into the wild and is considered a pest. Lantana has flowers in lots of colours, mostly reds and oranges, but also comes in whites and blues.

Leaves grow all over most plants. Leaves are always some shade of green, although they often have yellow or red patterns on them. Plants use sunlight falling on the green in their leaves, called chlorophyll, to convert air and water into food.

A legume is a plant in the family fabaceae. Legumes grow their seeds in pods, with several seeds in a row inside the pod. They are often grown to improve the soil they are grown in. Legumes are high in protein and can be used as a meat substitute by vegetarians. Legumes include peas, beans and peanuts.

Lentils are a pulse, which means they grow seeds in pods like beans and peas but they are harvested when the seeds are dry. Beans and peas that are not picked fresh but are left to dry out first are also called pulses. Lentils are eaten all over the world, and are good food for people who do not eat meat. They can be made into soup, stews and curries. They cannot be eaten raw, and need to be cooked before you can eat them. If you soak lentils overnight before you cook them, they are easier to digest.

Lichens are not a single plant themselves, they are actually a fungus and algae growing together. The result, lichen, is completely different to both of its parts. Lichens can grow almost anywhere, but prefer to grow on tree branches or on bare rock. Lichen is often seen growing on gravestones, statues and roof tiles.