Plants that start with W

Wis forWalnut

Walnuts are the seeds of a large tree that is also grown for its wood. The most common walnut tree is originally from Iran (Persia). Walnuts can be eaten raw or used in cooking, especially in fruit cakes and sweet desserts.

maxmann / Pixabay License

Wis forWandering Jew

Plants

Wandering Jew, also known as spiderworts, is the common name given to several closely related plants commonly kept as houseplants. They come in both purple and plain green forms, and are very easy to grow. They take root easily and form new roots where the plant touches the ground. They can get invasive if they are left alone, and some people and pets like dogs can get allergic reactions to their sap.

Quinn Daedal / CC BY-SA

Wis forWatercress

Vegetables, Brassicas

Watercress is a type of green leafy plant that grows in or near water. It has small leaves and a peppery, fresh taste.

People use watercress in salads and sandwiches, and sometimes in soups. It grows in clean, flowing streams and rivers, and it may also be grown in gardens or farms on wet ground.

Dana L. Brown / CC BY-SA

Wis forWaterlily

Plants

Water lilies are flowering plants that live in shallow water. They grow their roots in soil at the bottom of the water, and their leaves and flowers both float on top of the water.

Susanne Nilsson / CC BY-SA

Wis forWatermelon

Fruit, Plants

The watermelon is the fruit of a vine originally from South Africa. The fruit can be very big, and has a hard green rind with very juicy, sweet red flesh inside, full of black seeds. Watermelons are wonderful to eat fresh on a hot summer's day.

Michele Dorsey Walfred / CC BY-SA

Wis forWheat

Cereals

Wheat is a grass grown worldwide for its seeds. It is the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice.
The wheat seeds are ground up into flour and then the flour is used to make bread, cookies, cakes, breakfast cereal and pasta.

Cyndy Sims / CC BY-SA

Wis forWillow

Plants

The willow is a deciduous tree that likes to grow in moist soil, and is often found on the banks of rivers.
Willow bark has salicylic acid in it, which used to be used by primitive people to help with aches and pains. Today, salicylic acid is made into aspirin.

Andrew Bowden / CC BY-SA

Wis forWisteria

Plants

Wisteria is a deciduous woody climbing vine, related to the pea. It grows big droopy bundles of purple flowers in spring.
Wisteria is a very hardy plant and can tolerate dry conditions, frost and neglect.

Neosnaps / CC BY-SA

Wis forWormwood

Plants

Wormwood is a perennial shrub that grows to about 1 metre high. It has silvery grey leaves and small yellow flowers. It is native to parts of Asia and Africa. It grows well in drier climates and will tolerate poor soil. It is very easy to grow from hardened cuttings.
Wormwood is an ingredient in the drink absinthe and is used to flavor some other drinks and some dishes.

Patrick Standish / CC BY-SA