Elephant Bush Care
Elephant bush is a great beginner succulent. Not only is it a keystone species in its native habitat, but it is a beautiful way to add a little green to your daily routine.
Elephant Bush Care
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American Ginseng – Panax quinquefolius (Plant Profile)
American Ginseng – Panax quinquefolius (Plant Profile)
Ginseng has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant, known across the globe for its powerful properties, but did you know that ginseng is also native to the Western world?
Unfortunately, this plant is endangered and facing extinction in the wild, so learning about the plant, its habitat, and the significance of its situation is critical to conservation efforts.
Elephant Bush – Portulacaria afra (Plant Profile)
Elephant Bush – Portulacaria afra (Plant Profile)
There’s a beautiful succulent that is gaining popularity with houseplant enthusiasts. You might have heard of it, with its cute, rounded leaves and a beautiful stem that pops with color. The elephant bush, or Portulacaria afra, is native to South Africa from the Little Karoo of the Western Cape, into the thickets of the Eastern Cape.
Featured in Botany
The Language of Science: Understanding Binomial Nomenclature
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.
Ginseng Companion Plants
Ginseng Companion Plants
Ginseng has many “companion plants” that like to grow in similar conditions. These plants may be a sign of a nearby ginseng population, or as a sign of ideal site selection for cultivation. While solely looking for companion plants is not a foolproof way to find a...
American Ginseng – Panax quinquefolius (Plant Profile)
American Ginseng – Panax quinquefolius (Plant Profile)
Ginseng has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant, known across the globe for its powerful properties, but did you know that ginseng is also native to the Western world?
Unfortunately, this plant is endangered and facing extinction in the wild, so learning about the plant, its habitat, and the significance of its situation is critical to conservation efforts.
Featured in Environment
The Threat to Our Birds in 2020 and Beyond
The Threat to Our Birds in 2020 and Beyond
Chances are, while you are in lockdown, you’ve popped up a bird feeder, or you’ve taken to birdwatching, even if it’s off-and-on from your new home office window. You might have even found yourself asking “have these brightly-colored birds always been here?” They...
Springtime Sighting of a Vulnerable Butterfly, the West Virginia White
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.
How to Connect with Nature
How to Connect with Nature
The routine of modern life can be toxic to human spirituality in any form - no matter what religion you do or do not prescribe to - especially when it comes to our connection to nature. In this HerbSpeak article, you’ll learn how to connect (or re-connect) with...
Featured in Gardening
Is Panax the Same as Ginseng?
Is Panax the Same as Ginseng?
Is Panax Ginseng the Same as Ginseng? Yes, Panax ginseng is commonly referred to as Ginseng, and it is considered the original ‘true ginseng’. Also considered a true ginseng is American ginseng, also known as Panax quinquefolius. The name ginseng may also refer to...
Can I Grow Ginseng at Home?
Can I Grow Ginseng at Home?
Ginseng used to be plentiful in the United States and southern Canada, but the ‘gold rush’ of ginseng in the colonial era left the population on the decline. Today, we can change the trend and help steward in a new generation of plants. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing ginseng pop out of the ground year after year in a thriving ecosystem.
What Are The Benefits of a Garden?
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.
Featured in Microgreens
The Ultimate Guide to Buying and Selecting Microgreens Seeds
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.
Packaging Microgreens: The Ultimate Guide
Packaging Microgreens: The Ultimate Guide
People who buy microgreens want to improve their diets in a sustainable way. If your packaging is the wrong shape, size, or material, you’ll struggle to turn a profit, let alone stay open for business. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll understand the importance of great packaging and the best options for every scenario.
Growing Microgreens for Profit
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.
Featured in Reviews
Guide to Using Go Botany
Guide to Using Go Botany
This article has been updated. See these resources instead:There are many plant identification apps available online, but Go Botany is different. As a plant database, rather than an automatic detection app, it is the only resource dedicated to accurate self-guided...
How to Use iNaturalist
How to Use iNaturalist
The naturalists of today may not spend most of their time sailing the seas and looking under crude microscopes, but there is still plenty to explore in the world. With the advancement of science comes an advancement in technology - which further aids science. While...
12 Books for Naturalists in the New Year
12 Books for Naturalists in the New Year
There are so many books to read, so many possibilities. But which ones are good? See the HerbSpeak recommendations for the upcoming months!
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