Explore the Botanical World
Making natural knowledge accessible by fostering a love of learning and connecting you to resources that help make a difference.
As a place for the natural world and its conservation, HerbSpeak is a hub that is always growing and evolving. New resources, stories, and materials are curated to foster curiosity while providing meaningful and actionable information. From habitats to ecological relationships and conservation stories, there is always something new to explore.
Who Is HerbSpeak For?
HerbSpeak is for two types of people. It is for you, if you want to connect with nature and rekindle your sense of curiosity. You don’t need the vocabulary (you’ll get there) and you don’t need the understanding (you’ll get there, too.) Maybe you are looking for meaning in the humdrum of the everyday or feel like something is missing. Nature is a good place to start.
HerbSpeak is also for you, if you are in – or entering – conservation in any capacity. Whether you are going to school, volunteering, getting paid for it, or somewhere in-between. It’s common for these two to overlap.
Both individuals are what HerbSpeak calls a Naturalist. Depending on which category you fall into most right now, you will find different things useful here. Keep reading to find your way through the website.
Learn all about
Botany
The complexities of the natural world, broken down into simple concepts. There is magic in everyday life under the label of science.
Explore the world of
Gardening
Find care guides and tips for popular houseplants, become an intuitive grower, and explore nature in containers or in-ground gardens.
Expand your knowledge of the
Environment
We live in a diverse ecosystem where we each play a role in the health and stability of the environment. Learn what you can do here.
Psst! A website overhaul is coming. Stay tuned during the end of 2025.
An email update will go out through the newsletter when it is complete.
Calathea zebrina in the foreground, and Calathea lancifolia spotted in the background with their own darker leaf-like patterning.
Learn About the Botanical World Around You
On HerbSpeak, you’ll find topics from how plants work, to how they shape our environment. Plants are always evolving, growing, and shaping the world around us, and these organisms never cease to amaze, dazzle, and frighten.
While HerbSpeak is focused on the botanical, it’s important to remember that nothing exists in isolation. Plants one part of a complex web of life that connects you to the earth. With ecologically-minded learning, you’ll also find plenty of content about the rest of nature as well.
Are you ready to learn about plants? From the different varieties of plants and how to care for them to how basic plant functions work, and how to identify what’s in your backyard, this is where it all starts.
In the botanical world, learning never stops. There are up to 400,000 species of flowering plants alone, which can sound overwhelming at the beginning. The trick is to find what you are passionate about and begin exploring.
Browse the website to learn more about specific topics in bite-sized pieces.
The Origin of HerbSpeak
HerbSpeak was founded by Destynnie K. Berard (D.K. Berard) based on a love of the botanical world.
HerbSpeak’s mission is to make plants more accessible in everyday life, no matter where you live. We are all a part of one ecosystem, contributing to the cycle of life in our own way. By understanding the vast botanical world, we can better understand our own choices and actions, and how it affects our ecosystem.
With these articles and guides, you’ll join Destynnie on this botanical journey. Share what you are passionate about in the comments, come to an HerbSpeak event and say hello, and sign up for the newsletter for the latest news and updates.
Dracaena warneckii “Lemon Lime”
Curiosity is part of what makes us human. The drive to explore and learn is what pushes us to innovate and discover. Over time, you may just remember what it’s like to love learning. Re-discovering plants that many of us have been disconnected with is a long and personal journey, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let HerbSpeak act as a hub to give you a voice in this budding community.
The work you see on this website community-driven, which means you have an affect on the publications you see here. Every comment is replied to, every email is reviewed. If you don’t see something you’re interested in here, just send in the idea; you might even see it as the next top article! While the author is local to New England, plant-lovers from all over are welcome to explore and pitch ideas.
Most Recent Publication:
Understanding Beech Leaf Disease
The fate of the American Beech tree hangs in the balance, but the resilience of nature and the determination of those invested in its preservation offer a glimmer of hope.
The Parts of a Plant: The Root System
Roots are almost always underground, but these hidden systems are responsible for a range of functions from securing the plant in the soil to absorbing water and nutrients. You can think of the root system as the foundation of a building: it's what keeps the plant stable, nourished, and capable of growth throughout its life cycle.
Parts of a Plant and Their Functions: Introduction and Basic Terminology
Part one of an in-depth series. Getting your hands dirty in the garden or diving into botany can be a much richer experience when you understand the various parts of a plant and their functions.
The Ultimate Guide to Buying and Selecting Microgreens Seeds
Not only are they easy to grow, but they also pack a nutritious punch. However, before you start sprouting your first seed, you'll need to know how to select the right seeds and determine the correct amount to use for your growing setup.
Growing Microgreens for Profit
Microgreens are the perfect urban farming solution to making a profit in a small space. Adaptable to small closet spaces or spare bedrooms, they don’t take up much room or require a lot of overhead, and they can produce delicious, intense flavors.
Red Oak VS White Oak: A Beginner Botanist’s Guide
You might think that an oak is an oak, and there’s nothing else to it – but as a beginner botanist or curious naturalist, you might start to take a second look at those trees, however, and notice that they are all different. Red and white oaks are not just individual trees, but separate groups that contain different species. Fortunately, there's an easy way to tell them apart...
The Language of Science: Understanding Binomial Nomenclature
Since the beginning of written history, people have tried to categorize things, organizing the web of life into a wide range of classifications to better understand the world. This was the beginning of taxonomy, or the science of naming things.
Springtime Sighting of a Vulnerable Butterfly, the West Virginia White
One spring morning, eight botanists packed into carpools and drove to a small town on the far edge of western Massachusetts to find a small white butterfly, Pieris virginensis, and its host plant, Cardamine concatenata and C. diphylla.
Pinanga subterranea: The Palm That Flowered Underground
This morning, a news story broke that a rare palm was found to flower and fruit underground. This is an incredible story of a modern scientific discovery in several ways:The New Discovery This story comes with two new discoveries. First, a species of palm that is...
What Is Ecological Planting?
Ecological planting is a transformative approach to land restoration that everyone can participate in. The focus of this growing movement is to utilize the resilience and genetic diversity of native flora to restore ecosystem relationships, creating healthier habitats for resilience in the face of change. But, what exactly does that mean?
How to Grow Microgreens: Ultimate Guide
One of the best things about microgreens is that they don't require a lot of space. You can grow them in a small container on your windowsill, balcony, or even your kitchen countertop. Since they grow quickly, you can enjoy fresh greens in just a few days for most beginner-friendly varieties.
What is a Child Garden?
The focus is often on creating an immersive and engaging experience that is tailored to the needs and interests of young children based on grade level.
Community Garden Benefits
There's something special about a community garden. It's a space where neighbors can come together to grow food, connect with the natural world, and build relationships. Community gardens are more than just a nice idea - they can actually be incredibly beneficial for both individuals and the local ecosystem.
Review: The Green Planet by BBC Earth
There is nothing not to love about the recent series from BBC Earth 'The Green Planet' narrated by David Attenborough. Originally airing in 2022, it was primarily celebrated in the UK as a groundbreaking series focused on the world from the perspective of plants. Unfortunately, it was not available in the United States, and as time went on, many of the potential audience forgot about this series. Now that it's available in the US - is it any good? Let's find out.
What Are The Benefits of a Garden?
For centuries, gardening has been apart of our lives. If it wasn’t to feed the household, it has been a hobby to bring the mind peace. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or are considering starting your own garden, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the many benefits of this relaxing activity.
How Do Ferns Reproduce?
Ferns have captured the imagination of many scientists’, with many aspects of these unique plants becoming a dissertation research subject. Some people have even dedicated their lives to studying the subject, always finding more questions than answers. Without diving too deep into the weeds with this subject, how exactly do ferns reproduce? Let's find out...
What Is a Plant Sanctuary?
You’ve probably heard about wildlife sanctuaries, which are swaths of land dedicated to providing habitat for certain species of wildlife. Lesser known, however, are plant sanctuaries. These sanctuaries serve the same purpose, but on a more foundational scale.
The Life Cycle of a Plant Explained
It’s one thing to think about the cycle of life in terms of seasons. In northern climates, winter is a time of snow cover and cold. A few plants have specialized to live in these climates, but most begin life in the spring or summer and die (or go dormant) in the autumn. In this article, we answer how that works and dive into the life cycle of a plant.
Why Is American Ginseng so Valuable?
For centuries, American ginseng has been in the spotlight for mountain foragers and market specialists. Now, it is in the spotlight for conservationists who are striving to protect it from an irreversible decline.
New England Botanical Gardens to Visit This Year
New England has a range of habitats, making it a prime place for nature enthusiasts to spend their time. Unfortunately, it can also be a little difficult to find information about New England botanical gardens. In this list from HerbSpeak, explore several botanical...
How Old is a 4-Prong Ginseng Plant?
A lot of states have regulated the harvest of ginseng plants to specific seasons, requiring a state license to collect the plant. Like other hunting seasons, there are stipulations for what you are allowed to collect – and what you are not. How Old is a 4-Prong...
Does Ginseng Come Up Every Year?
As a steward or grower of ginseng, it’s important to look toward the future and know what to expect from this plant, especially as it takes multiple years to grow to maturity in the first place. Once you’ve learned how to identify the plant over the winter, you may...
Where is Ginseng Most Commonly Found?
American ginseng has captivated the imagination of people for centuries, inextricably intertwined with humanity for as long as our history can recall. Today, it is under threat from several factors and relies on mindful conservation to ensure its long-term...
Garden in the Woods: Botanical Garden Spotlight
In this spotlight, you’ll learn about a wonderful outdoor botanical garden focused on highlighting native plants in the New England region. Garden in the Woods is a great way to learn more about sustainable gardening practices, ecosystems, and habitats of the...
Does Ginseng Have Thorns?
When you’re first learning how to identify ginseng, you’ll hear a lot about ‘prongs,’ It may leave you wondering whether ginseng has thorns or not. Furthermore, there is confusion about a plant that commonly goes by the name ‘Siberian Ginseng’ that does indeed have...
Explore New Topics
There is so much on HerbSpeak for you to discover.
GARDENING
Gardening is good for the soul, and learning more about the different plants in your life is a valuable way to reconnect with nature.
Whether you are an indoor gardener exploring the world of houseplants or an outdoor gardener looking for some insight, you will find everything you need to know in this section. From plant profiles to nontoxic plants, urban farming, and much more. Discover the best in gardening in this section.
Above: an image from Why Do Leaves Change Color in the Fall?
BOTANY
Explore the wild and colorful world around you through the deeper understanding provided by these botanical articles. Learn how wild plants alike move throughout the day, and the mechanisms that makes it possible for them to communicate with each other.
Discover science experiments, connect with flora on an intellectual level, and remember the joys of learning. These pieces dive further into the details about plants, helping foster a better understanding of this life form and how it interacts with the world.
What will your next discovery be? Find out by exploring topics in this section.
ENVIRONMENT
Are you searching for ways to reconnect with your environment, or better understand the changing climate? Whether we remember to pay attention or not, the environment affects our everyday lives: our mood, appetite, and daily experience.
These articles are not only educational and engaging, spread across a variety of environmental topics. Learn about global water usage, how to identify the bees in your garden, or why pesticides are harmful to an ecosystem’s balance.
MICROGREENS
Microgreens are an up-and-coming nutritional food source that comes from plants that have just been germinated but have not been allowed to grow true leaves yet. You will be surprised at the differences in nutrition, with some microgreens containing 20-40x the nutrition of adult plants when tested on certain micro and macro nutrients.
In this section, you will learn everything you need to know about microgreens, from what they are to how to grow them. Thanks to your feedback, HerbSpeak is currently putting together a full course on how to grow microgreens, and it is continuously being shaped by your feedback. Have something to request or want to add your voice? Leave a comment in this section! Below, you can explore the latest Microgreens related in this area.
Above: an image from How To Use iNaturalist
REVIEWS
In this section, you’ll get an inside look into several different products, from gardening trays, to gardening gifts, bird feeders, and much more. Check out the most recent reviews and start learning about new tools and finding the best equipment.
This is a great place to start looking for a gift related to gardening or nature, or to upgrade your gardening equipment. Have something to say about a product that has been reviewed? Add your voice in the comments – the more reviews, the better! This section isn’t just about products, either. There’s plenty of opportunities in this section to learn about free-to-use tools and guides like cell phone apps, or books you can look for at your local library.
Popular Release:
How to Grow Ginseng
Enjoy more in-depth information about how to identify, grow, and harvest your own American ginseng crop in HerbSpeak’s new book: How to Grow Ginseng.
In this book, you’ll learn everything you need to know about growing ginseng – specifically American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius – and how to care for this wonderful plant from seed to harvest.
Beyond that, you’ll learn why such a small root has earned such an honorable reputation, and what you can do to help keep this plant in our lives no matter what your motivation for growing ginseng is.
Your journey into the world of ginseng starts here.
By D. K. Berard
Second Edition Pre-Orders coming soon!
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