Plants, MUS-PEA

Life on Earth owes much to plants. The vast majority of plants carry out photosynthesis to transform light energy into chemical energy, which is the way that virtually all energy in the biosphere becomes available to living things (including us humans). Plants occupy the base of Earth's food webs and are consumed directly or indirectly by all higher life-forms, thereby functioning as the major source of food for humans and other animals. Plants' photosynthetic activity also produces the air that we breathe: almost all the oxygen in the atmosphere is due to the process of photosynthesis. Still not convinced about the merits of plants? Consider the fact that many plants not only serve up crucial nutrients and breathable air but also look good doing it. Many plants are admired for their striking aesthetic qualities, and flowers such as tulips, lilies, sunflowers, and daisies beautify fields, gardens, windowsills, and bouquets the world over. Plants are also a primary source of consumer goods, such as building materials, textile fibers, and pharmaceuticals.
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Plants Encyclopedia Articles By Title

musk mallow
musk mallow, (Abelmoschus moschatus), annual or biennial plant of the mallow family (Malvaceae), native to India.......
muskmelon
muskmelon, any of several varieties of netted-rind melons in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), noted for their......
mustard
mustard, condiment made from the pungent seeds of either of two main herbs belonging to the family Brassicaceae.......
Mutis, José
José Mutis botanist who initiated one of the most important periods of botanical exploration in Spain. After receiving......
Myricaceae
Myricaceae, the wax myrtle family of dicotyledonous flowering plants, in the beech order (Fagales), found throughout......
Myristicaceae
Myristicaceae, the nutmeg family of the magnolia order (Magnoliales), best known for the fragrant, spicy seeds......
Myrtaceae
Myrtaceae, the myrtle family of shrubs and trees, in the order Myrtales, containing about 150 genera and 3,300......
Myrtales
Myrtales, the myrtle order of flowering plants, composed of 9 families, 380 genera, and about 13,000 species distributed......
myrtle
myrtle, any of the evergreen shrubs in the genus Myrtus, belonging to the family Myrtaceae. Authorities differ......
napa cabbage
napa cabbage, (Brassica rapa, variety pekinensis), form of Chinese cabbage, belonging to the mustard family (Brassicaceae),......
narcissus
narcissus, (genus Narcissus), genus of about 40 species of bulbous, often fragrant, plants in the amaryllis family......
narra
narra, (genus Pterocarpus), genus of timber trees of the pea family (Fabaceae), native to Asia and Africa. Narra......
nasturtium
nasturtium, (Tropaeolum majus), annual plant of the family Tropaeolaceae, cultivated as an ornamental for its attractive......
Natal grass
Natal grass, (Melinis repens), tufted grass of the family Poaceae, native to southern Africa. Natal grass is cultivated......
National Botanic Gardens of South Africa
National Botanic Gardens of South Africa, one of the world’s largest botanical gardens, occupying a 1,305-acre......
nectar
nectar, sweet viscous secretion from the nectaries, or glands, in plant blossoms, stems, and leaves. Nectar is......
nectarine
nectarine, (Prunus persica), smooth-skinned peach that is grown throughout the warmer temperate regions of both......
nectary
nectary, a plant gland in many angiosperms that secretes nectar. Floral nectaries are usually located at the base......
needlegrass
needlegrass, (genus Stipa), genus of about 150 species of grasses in the family Poaceae, characterized by sharply......
neem
neem, (Azadirachta indica), fast-growing tree of the mahogany family (Meliaceae), valued as a medicinal plant,......
Nelumbonaceae
Nelumbonaceae, the lotus-lily family of the order Proteales, consisting of two species of attractive aquatic plants.......
Nemophila
Nemophila, genus of annual herbs of the family Boraginaceae. The 11 species, most of which bear blue or white,......
Neoglaziovia
Neoglaziovia, genus of the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae), containing two species of perennial South American......
Neoregelia
Neoregelia, genus of about 40 species of epiphytes (plants that are supported by other plants and have aerial roots......
Nepenthes
Nepenthes, genus of carnivorous pitcher plants that make up the only genus in the family Nepenthaceae (order Caryophyllales).......
Nidularium
Nidularium, genus of about 25 South American plants of the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae) that grow upon the branches......
nightshade
nightshade, (genus Solanum), genus of about 2,300 species of flowering plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae).......
Nile, lily of the
lily of the Nile, (Agapanthus africanus), perennial herbaceous plant of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae),......
Norfolk Island pine
Norfolk Island pine, (Araucaria heterophylla), evergreen timber and ornamental conifer of the family Araucariaceae,......
Nuttall, Thomas
Thomas Nuttall English naturalist and botanist known for his discoveries of North American plants. Nuttall grew......
Nyctaginaceae
Nyctaginaceae, the four-o’clock family of flowering plants in the carnation order (Caryophyllales) containing about......
Nymphaeales
Nymphaeales, the water lily order of flowering plants, containing 3 families, 6 genera, and 74 species. Members......
oak
oak, (genus Quercus), genus of about 450 species of ornamental and timber trees and shrubs in the beech family......
oat grass
oat grass, any of the perennial plants of two genera of grasses, Arrhenatherum and Danthonia (family Poaceae).......
oats
oats, (Avena sativa), domesticated cereal grass (family Poaceae) grown primarily for its edible starchy grains.......
Ochnaceae
Ochnaceae, a family of the order Malpighiales, comprising 27 genera and some 495 species of tropical trees and......
ocotillo
ocotillo, (Fouquieria splendens), flowering spiny shrub (family Fouquieriaceae) characteristic of rocky deserts......
Odontoglossum
Odontoglossum, genus of some 150 species of orchids (family Orchidaceae) that are primarily native to mountainous......
oil grass
oil grass, (genus Cymbopogon), genus of about 70 species of aromatic oil-containing grasses in the family Poaceae.......
oil palm
oil palm, (Elaeis guineensis), African tree in the palm family (Arecaceae), cultivated as a source of oil. The......
oil plant
oil plant, any of the numerous plants, either under cultivation or growing wild, used as sources of oil. Oil plants......
okra
okra, (Abelmoschus esculentus), herbaceous hairy annual plant of the mallow family (Malvaceae) and its edible fruit.......
old-man cactus
old man cactus, (Cephalocereus senilis), columnar species of cactus (family Cactaceae), native to central Mexico.......
Oleaceae
Oleaceae, the olive family, belonging to the order Lamiales and named for the economically important olive tree......
oleander
oleander, any of the ornamental evergreen shrubs of the genus Nerium, belonging to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae)......
oleaster
oleaster, small deciduous tree of Eurasia, about 4.5 to 6 m (15 to 20 feet) high. It has smooth, dark brown branches......
olive
olive, (Olea europaea), subtropical broad-leaved evergreen tree (family Oleaceae) and its edible fruit. The olive......
Omphalea
Omphalea, genus of tropical shrubs or trees of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), comprising 15 species; 12 are......
Onagraceae
Onagraceae, evening primrose family of flowering plants, belonging to the myrtle order (Myrtales), comprising 18......
Oncidium
Oncidium, genus of some 300 species of tropical and subtropical American orchids (family Orchidaceae). Oncidium......
onion
onion, (Allium cepa), herbaceous biennial plant in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) grown for its edible bulb.......
Ophioglossaceae
Ophioglossaceae, family of four or five genera and about 100 species of primitive ferns (order Ophioglossales).......
Ophrys
Ophrys, genus of about 30 species of orchids (family Orchidaceae) native to Eurasia and North Africa. All have......
opium poppy
opium poppy, (Papaver somniferum), flowering plant of the family Papaveraceae, native to Turkey. Opium, morphine,......
Opuntia
Opuntia, large genus of 150–180 species of flat-jointed cacti (family Cactaceae) native to the New World. Opuntia......
orange
orange, any of several species of small trees or shrubs of the genus Citrus of the family Rutaceae and their nearly......
orchard grass
orchard grass, (Dactylis glomerata), perennial pasture, hay, and forage grass of the family Poaceae. Orchard grass......
orchid
orchid, (family Orchidaceae), any of nearly 1,000 genera and more than 25,000 species of attractively flowered......
Orchis
Orchis, genus of about 20 species of terrestrial orchids (family Orchidaceae) native to Eurasia and northern Africa.......
oregano
oregano, (Origanum vulgare), aromatic perennial herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae) known for its flavourful dried......
Oregon grape
Oregon grape, any of several species of the genus Mahonia, evergreen shrubs of the barberry family (Berberidaceae)......
organ-pipe cactus
organ-pipe cactus, (Stenocereus thurberi), large species of cactus (family Cactaceae), native to Mexico and to......
Ornithogalum
Ornithogalum, genus of about 100 species of bulbous herbs (family Asparagaceae, formerly Hyacinthaceae) native......
Orobanchaceae
Orobanchaceae, the broomrape family of flowering plants (order Lamiales), comprising about 100 genera and some......
Osage orange
Osage orange, (Maclura pomifera), thorny tree or shrub native to the south-central United States, the only species......
Osmunda
Osmunda, fern genus of the family Osmundaceae, with divided fronds and often growing to a height of 1.5 metres......
Osmundaceae
Osmundaceae, the royal fern family, the only family of the fern order Osmundales. A primitive group consisting......
Otters, Algae, and Plants, Oh My
Explore other Botanize! episodes and read about sea otters, tropic cascades, kelp, and eelgrass. Melissa Petruzzello:......
ovary
ovary, in botany, enlarged basal portion of the pistil, the female organ of a flower. The ovary contains ovules,......
ovule
ovule, plant structure that develops into a seed when fertilized. A mature ovule consists of a food tissue covered......
Oxalidales
Oxalidales, the wood sorrel order of dicotyledonous flowering plants, containing 6 families, 58 genera, and 1,810......
Oxalis
Oxalis, genus of small herbaceous plants, in the family Oxalidaceae, comprising about 850 species, native primarily......
oxeye daisy
oxeye daisy, (Leucanthemum vulgare), perennial plant in the aster family (Asteraceae), commonly grown as an ornamental.......
Pacific yew
Pacific yew, (Taxus brevifolia), an evergreen timber tree of the yew family (Taxaceae). It is the only commercially......
Paeoniaceae
Paeoniaceae, the peony family (order Saxifragales), consisting of only the genus Paeonia with about 33 species......
palm
palm, any member of the Arecaceae, or Palmae, the single family of monocotyledonous flowering plants of the order......
palmetto
palmetto, Tree (Sabal palmetto) of the palm family, occurring in the southeastern U.S. and the West Indies. Commonly......
palo verde
palo verde, (genus Parkinsonia), (Spanish: “green stick”), any of about 12 species of green trees and shrubs in......
pampas grass
pampas grass, (Cortaderia selloana), tall reedlike grass of the family Poaceae, native to southern South America.......
Pandanales
Pandanales, diverse order of the monocotyledon (monocot) group, whose 1,345 species range from large arborescent......
pandanus
pandanus, (genus Pandanus), any of some 600 tropical species of Old World trees and shrubs of the screw pine family......
panicum
panicum, (genus Panicum), large genus of forage and cereal grasses in the family Poaceae, distributed throughout......
pansy
pansy, any of several popular cultivated violets of the genus Viola in the family Violaceae. Pansies have been......
Papaveraceae
Papaveraceae, the poppy family of flowering plants (order Ranunculales), with 44 genera and 825 species. Most of......
papaya
papaya, (Carica papaya), succulent fruit of a large plant of the family Caricaceae. Though its origin is rather......
paper birch
paper birch, (Betula papyrifera), ornamental, shade, and timber tree of the family Betulaceae, native to northern......
paper mulberry
paper mulberry, (Broussonetia papyrifera), fast-growing tree of the family Moraceae, native to Asia. The inner......
paperbark tree
paperbark tree, any of several small trees belonging to the genus Melaleuca, in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae),......
Paraná pine
Paraná pine, (Araucaria angustifolia), important evergreen timber conifer of the family Araucariaceae, native to......
parasitic plant
parasitic plant, plant that obtains all or part of its nutrition from another plant (the host) without contributing......
parsley
parsley, (Petroselinum crispum), hardy biennial herb of the carrot family (also called parsley family; Apiaceae),......
parsnip
parsnip, (species Pastinaca sativa), member of the parsley family (Apiaceae), cultivated since ancient times for......
partridgeberry
partridgeberry, (Mitchella repens), North American plant of the madder family (Rubiaceae), growing in dry woods......
Paspalum
Paspalum, large genus of annual and perennial grasses (family Poaceae), distributed throughout warm regions of......
Passifloraceae
Passifloraceae, the passion-flower family, in the order Malpighiales, containing 16 genera and 705 species of herbaceous......
passion flower
passion flower, (genus Passiflora), genus of more than 500 species of mostly tendril-bearing vines in the family......
patchouli
patchouli, (Pogostemon cablin), aromatic flowering plant of the mint family (Lamiaceae), the leaves of which are......
pawpaw
pawpaw, (Asimina triloba), deciduous tree or shrub of the custard apple family (Annonaceae) and its edible fruit.......
pea
pea, (Pisum sativum), herbaceous annual plant in the family Fabaceae, grown virtually worldwide for its edible......
peach
peach, (Prunus persica), economically important crop tree grown throughout the warmer temperate regions of both......

Plants Encyclopedia Articles By Title