Elecampane, (Inula helenium), Asteraceae
School Science Lessons
(UNBiolN3IJK) 2024-12-10

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Genus names, I, (Iberis to Ixora)
Please send comments to: j.elfick@uq.edu.au
Contents
Genus names I
Genus names J
Genus names K

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Genus names, I, (Iberis to Ixora)
Annual candytuft, (Iberis amara), bitter candytuft, herbal medicine, in German medication "Iberogast", used as fresh whole plant, ornamental, Brassicaceae

Evergreen candytuft, (Iberis sempervivum), snowflake, perennial candytuft, dwarf shrub, ornamental, pure white flowers, Iberis refers to Spain where it is a popular decorative groundcover, "candytuft" refers to its origin in Crete, Brassicaceae

New Guinea impatiens, (Impatiens hawkeri) up to 60 cm, dark green with red variegated pointed leavesBalsaminaceae.

Impatiens polypetala subsp. aurantiaca, contains anthocyanidin red dye aurantinidin, herbal medicine, Java, Balsaminaceae.
Impatiens hybrids, masses of spurred flat flowers, (houseplant), Balsaminaceae.

Balsam, (Impatiens balsamina), garden balsam, rose balsam, touch-me-not, spotted snapweed | Lawsone | Syringic acid | Balsaminaceae

Ceylon balsam, (Impatiens repens), golden dragon, yellow impatiens, perennial, bright yellow, flowers, herbal medicine, skin disorders, Balsaminaceae

Jewelweed, (Impatiens capensis), spotted touch-me-not, in deep shade and soggy soil, annual but self-sows, glistening foliage, herbal medicine, treat itching, Balsaminaceae

Himalayan balsam, (Impatiens glandulifera), policeman's helmet (UK), ornamental jewelweed, invasive to European Union, Balsaminaceae
Impatiens hybrids, masses of spurred flat flowers, (houseplant), Balsaminaceae
(Impatiens polypetala, subsp. aurantiaca), contains anthocyanidin red dye aurantinidin, herbal medicine, Java, Balsaminaceae

Kunai grass, (Imperata cylindrica), cogongrass, lalang, Japanese blood grass, satin tail, very flammable, colonizes disturbed areas, herbal medicine, Asia, Poaceae
Imperata cylindrica, Queensland Native Seed

Busy lizzie, (Impatiens walleriana), Balsam, touch-me-not, snapweed, patience, impatiens, garden balsam, many varieties, short-lived perennial, compact mounds, up to 30 cm, green oval leaves, soft fleshy stems, white to red flowers with a contrasting coloured “eye”, grown in light shade under trees, minor invasive, up to 3 cm, green leaves, fleshy oval stems, oval, light shade, single and semi-double rose-like pink to purple flowers, some flowers with coloured "eye", background garden cover crop, forms compact mounds, Balsaminaceae.


Hardy gloxinia, (Incarvillea delavayi), Chinese trumpet flower, up to 30 cm, clumping perennial, fern-like foliage, racemes of pink tubular flowers, India, Tibet, Bignoniaceae

Trumpet flower, (Incarvillea sinensis), fern-leaved trumpet flowe, cheron, jiao hao, traditional Chinese medicine, arthritis, pain management, "famine food", Incarvillateine | Bignoniaceae
(Many species are called trumpet flower.)

Ice cream bean, (Inga edulis), medium tree, fruit fleshy pod, sweet pulp, used fresh, evergreen, fast growing, propagate from seeds, cold sensitive, South America, Fabaceae.
Inga edulis Daley's Fruit Trees.

Pacay, (Inga feuilleei), quechaua, ice cream bean, nitrogen-fixing, garden fruit, white, fluffy melt-in-your-mouth pulp around each seed best adapted and tastiest in northern NSW, Costa Rica, Fabaceae.

Kankong, (Ipomoea aquatica), Chinese spinach, Chinese watercress, water convolvulus, water spinach, ong choi, hung tsai, rau muang, perennial, hardy plant, deciduous, climbing vine, large purple flowers grows on banks of streams and wet areas, but does not need to be grown in water, long pale green hollow stems float, darker green stems, culinary uses, raw in salads and stir-fried, prepare by stripping slippery leaves from firm stem and slicing stems diagonally, lightly cook until leaves just wilted, herbal medicine, tonic, laxative, high protein leaves, high nutritional value, invasive, Australian native food, Convolvulaceae
Ipomoea aquatica, Kangkong, Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below images.
Ipomoea aquatica, Kankong, water spinach, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery.

Rivea nana, (Ipomoea argyrophylla) | Chanoclavine-I | Ergine | Ergosine | Ergometrine | desert or dry shrubland biome, only in Somalia, Convolvulaceae.

Sweet potato, (Ipomoea batatas), | Carotene | Ipomoeamarone | Convolvulaceae
Sweet Potato Project, (Ipomoea batatas), Convolvulaceae

Mile-a-minute, (Ipomoea cairica) | Cairo morning glory, coastal morning glory, five-fingered morning glory, climber with hairless slender stems, leaves have 5-7 finger-like lobes, large purple to white tubular flowers with darker centre produce four seeds are partly covered in long silky hairs, significant environmental weed in Australia Arctigenin | popular garden ornamental, Convolvulaceae

Native potato, (Ipomoea costata), desert yam, bush potato, rock morning glory, fast-growing creeper, purple-pink trumpet flowers, Australian native food, Convolvulaceae

Alamo vine, (Ipomoea dissecta, Ipomoea coptica var. coptica), climber, semi-woody stems, up to 6.5 m, funnelform corolla, white flowers with pink-purple centre, seeds said to be poisonous, seedpods resemble flowers, bloom in the heat of the day and close before sunset, invasive, USA, Convolvulaceae

Cardinal creeper, (Ipomoea horsfalliae), Lady Doorly's morning glory, Prince Kuhio vine, fast growing climber, many red to plum-coloured tubular flowers, ball-shaped buds, dark green foliage, Brazil, Caribbean region, Convolvulaceae

Blue morning glory, (Ipomoea indica), blue dawn flower, purple winder, purple trumpet-shaped flowers, which open at dawn and close at sunset, weed, Convolvulaceae

Spanish flag, (Ipomoea lobata), firecracker vine, fast twining, annual perennial vine, widely-cultivated trellised ornamental. Central America, Convolvulaceae

Clove bean, (Ipomoea muricata), (not a bean!), climbing herbaceous tree, poison, medicine, laxative | Resin glycosides, hypotensive and psychotropic properties, indole alkaloid and Lysergol in the seeds | many very small tasty fruits used for cooking, Mexico to Tropical America, Convolvulaceae

Japanese morning glory, (Ipomoea nil), slender vine, pantropic species, Convolvulaceae

Beach morning glory, (Ipomoea pes-caprae), goat's foot, salt-tolerant, seeds float, strand plant, Australian native medicine, marine stings, Convolvulaceae

Morning glory, (Ipomoea purpura), common morning glory, tall morning glory, purple morning glory, blue morning glory, blue dawn flower, showy twining climber with hairy stems, alternately arranged leaves, large funnel-shaped blue or blue-purple flowers, does not produce viable seed in Australia, fruiting capsules rarely seen, used for growing on trellises or as ground cover, significant environmental weed in Australia, Convolvulaceae

Beach moonflower, (Ipomoea violacea), "morning glory", ornamental | ergot alkaloids "natural LSD" | Mexico, Convolvulaceae

Iresine herbstii, beefsteak plant, bloodleaf, spatula-shaped, dark red-brown leaves, (houseplant), Amaranthaceae.
Iresine lindenii, narrow deep red leaves, (houseplant), Amaranthaceae.

Isoetes, usually submerged plants in freshwater lakes, club moss, Isoetaceae.
Isoetes drummondii, live crowded together in dry places, club moss, Isoetaceae.

Iva annua, sumpweed, marshelder, sumpweed, annual herb up to 150 cm, unpleasant odour, was cultivated by Native Americans, Mexico, Asteraceae.

Ixora coccinea, jungle geranium, jungle flame, prince of orange, herbal medicine, phytochemicals used to treat conjunctivitis and diarrhoea, ornamental, India, Rubiaceae.

Holly, (Ilex aquifolium), common holly, English holly, perennial, hardy plant, upright small tree, leaves and berries in floral art, crafts, favoured Northern Hemisphere Xmas decoration, because evergreen bright green leaves and red berries, herbal medicine, England, Aquifoliaceae
See diagram English holly.

Yerba-mate, (Ilex paraguariensis), Brazilian holly, Paraguay tea, Jesuit's tea, Yerba de mate, perennial, hardy plant, evergreen, up to 15 mmore than 3 metres, green-white flowers with 4 petals, red drupe fruit, leaves with serrated margins are soaked in hot water to make mate drink, the most drunk beverage as tonic tea in South America, no undesirable stimulant effects, honey or sugar or lemon may be added | Caffeine | herbal medicine, digestive, rich in vitamins and minerals, theobromine, caffeine alkaloids, Aquifoliaceae
Ilex paraguariensis, Yerba Mate, Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below images

Mao-Dong-Qing, (Ilex pubescens) | Ilexolide | Dihydroxyacetophenone | Aquifoliaceae

Japanese star anise, (Illicium anisatum), highly toxic, used in incense | Anethole Eugenol | Safrole | Shikimic acid | Illiciaceae
br> Chinese star anise, (Illicium verum), star anise, star aniseed, badiane, shikimi, spice like anise in flavour, in Indian garam masala, small to medium, rounded, evergreen tree, glossy foliage, small green-white to pink-purple flowers, aromatic seed pods open to star shape when ripe, brown pods and the seeds source of essential oil and ground spice, Chinese and northern Vietnamese cuisine, an ingredient in five-spice powder, used to flavour liqueurs, e.g. Pernod, aniseed flavour in confectionary, in cough mixtures | Anethole | Anisaldehyde | Estragole | Limonene | Linalool | Viet Nam, Illiciaceae
fused star-shaped carpels contain | Anethole | used for braising Chinese stews, China, Schisandraceae
Illicium verum, Star Anise, Daleys Fruit Trees
Dried herb is sold as fruit and as fruit powder.

Australian indigo, (Indigofera australis), austral indigo, native indigo, straggly slender shrub, garden plant, up to 2 m, widespread in Australia, purple-pink flowersblue-green foliage, dark purple stems, Fabaceae
Indigofera australis, Austral Indigo, Daleys Fruit Trees
Indigofera australis, Australian indigo, Southern Harvest

Trailing indigo, (Indigofera enneaphylla), cyanogenetic stock poison, weed | Indigoferin | Enneaphyllin | Palmitic acid | Oleic acid | toxic Indospicine (6-amidino-2-aminohexanoic acid) | Birdsville disease in horses, folk medicine applied to burns, Fabaceae.

Anil indigo, (Indigofera suffruticosa), Guatemalan indigo, small-leaved indigo, the origin of aniline C6H5NH2, produces indigo blue dye, tropical Americas, Fabaceae.

Birdsville indigo, (Indigofera linnaei), nine-leaved indigo, prostrate, 4-angled grey branches, compound leaves, red flowers, plant toxic to dogs and horses | indospicine, C7H15N3O2 | Australia, Southeast Asia, Fabaceae

Indigo, (Indigofera tinctora), true indigo, neeli, herbal medicine | Rotenone C23H22O6 | source of original indigo blue dye, India, Fabaceae.
The indigo dye for blue jeans, C16H10N2O2, can now be produced by organic chemistry, a discovery which devastated the former huge indigo growing industry in India and Bangladesh.

Indole | Jasmone | Cantleyine | Linalool | Linalyl acetate | Terpineol | herbal medicine, widely planted, used in perfumery industry, Oleaceae

Kwila, (Intsia bijuga), ipil, merbau, Moluccan ironwood, Borneo teak, Johnstone River teak, scrub mahogany, up to 50 m, durable termite-resistant tough wood used for flooring, dye from the wood, official tree of Guam called ifit, bark and leaves used in traditional medicine, Tanzania, Pacific Islands, Australia, Fabaceae
Elecampane, (Inula helenium), horse-heal, yellow head, wild sunflower, elfwort, ploughman's spikenard, scab wort, gallant yellow stalwart, elf dock, velvet dock, perennial, hardy plant, up to 60 cm, yellow flowers, antibiotic leaves, herbal medicine, candied root contains inulin, diabetic sugar, Europe, Asia, Asteraceae
Elecampane, Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below Description.
Dried herb is sold as root, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.

Ipecacuanda, (Carapichea ipecacuanha), (Portuguese: "ipecacuanha", small leaves vomit, road-side sick-making plant), roots were used to make the emetic syrup of ipecac, formerly commercially available but no longer approved for medical use | alkaloids: Emetine C29H40N2O4, Cephaeline C28H38N2O4 | Costa Rica, Brazil, Rubiaceae

Beefsteak plant, (Iresine herbstii), bloodleaf, spatula-shaped, dark red-brown leaves, (houseplant), Amaranthaceae
Formosa bloodleaf, (Iresine lindenii), narrow deep red leaves, (houseplant), Amaranthaceae

Dalmatian iris, (Iris pallida), sweet iris, pale iris, up to 80 cm, rhizome called orris root used in perfumes and gin, myristic acid CH3(CH2)12COOH, purple-white flowers, Iridaceae.

Orris, (Iris florentina), flower-de-luce, Florentine orris, orris root, perennial, 50 cm | Iridin | Irisxanthone | Irone | Myristic acid | herbal medicine, isoflavone glycosides, Morocco, Iridaceae
Orris Root, Iris germanica var. florentina, Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below Description.
Dried herb is sold as root powder.

Iris species: | Apocynin | Iridin | Irisolidone | Iris species have poisonous leaves and rhizomes. Iridaceae
Iris rhizome, perennating food storing organ and propagating organ, parenchyma contains inulin and amylum starch, Iridaceae
Iris reticulata hybrids, slightly fragrant blue flowers, (houseplants), Iridaceae.

Dwarf iris, (Iris danfordiae), fragrant yellow flowers on stems appear before leaves, (houseplant), Iridaceae

Leopard lily, (Iris domestica), leopard flower, blackberry lily, erect rhizomes, showy sprays of red-orange flowers, Iridaceae

Japanese iris, (Iris ensata), hanashobu, water plant, ornamental, Iridaceae

Gladwin iris, (Iris foetidissima), stinking iris, stinking gladwin, woodland, roast beef plant, bruised leaves have unpleasant beefy smell, but do not eat plant, attractive garden seed pods, Iridaceae

German bearded iris, (Iris X germanica), flag iris | Iridin | Irilone | Tectorigenin | Iridaceae
Iris japonica, yellow flag, myrtle flag, myrtle grass, herbal medicine, ornamental, Iridaceae.

Louisiana iris, (Iris louisiana), five iris species, Louisiana, USA, Iridaceae
Louisiana iris, Nurseries Online
Iris 'Louisiana', Daleys Fruit Trees

Kumoan iris, (Iris kemaonensis) | 1, 4-benzoquinone | Iridaceae

Himalayan iris, (Iris subgenus nepalensis) | Irisolidone | Iridaceae

Yellow flag, (Iris pseudacorus) | Tectoridin | Iridaceae

Morocco iris, (Iris tingitana), Tangerian Iris | Alanine | Iridaceae

Blue flag, (Iris versicolor), perennial, 1 metre, lavender / blue flowers, hardy plant, culinary uses, herbal medicine, Iridaceae
Blue Flag, Iris versicolor, Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below Description.
Dried herb is sold as rhizome particles, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.

Woad, (Isatis tinctoria), dyer's woad, biennial, European native wildflower, develops leaf rosettes and deep roots followed by yellow flowers, which develop into large flat blue-black seed heads, leaves from flowering stems are dried in the sun then ground into paste and left to ferment to produce a blue dye, was used as folk medicine to treat wounds, Brassicaceae

Australian harebell, (Isotoma axillaris), showy isotome, rock isotome, blue stars, up to 40 cm, blue star flowers, used for garden borders, sap from cut stem may sting the eyes, grows in rocky areas, used for garden borders, Australia, Campanulaceae
Blue stars, Australian Plants Society
Pink star creeper, (Isotoma axillaris 'Pink Star'), Campanulaceae

Sumpweed, (Iva annua), marshelder, annual herb up to 150 cm, unpleasant odour, was cultivated by Native Americans, Mexico, Asteraceae

Chinese ixora, (Ixora chinensis), low short plants, colourful flowers and leaves, national flower of Myanmar, popular garden flowering plant, herbal medicine, China, Malaysia, Rubiaceae

Flame of the woods, (Ixora coccinea), jungle geranium, jungle flame, prince of orange, subtropical compact hedge or shrub, bright vivid colour, popular landscaping plant, deep orange-red blooms with a range of shades in each flower, colourful evergreen hedge to 1m, herbal medicine, phytochemicals used to treat conjunctivitis and diarrhoea, ornamental, India, Rubiaceae

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Genus names J, (Jacaranda to Justicia)

Jacaranda, (Jacaranda mimosifolia), delicate bright green foliage, large compound leaves with narrow leaflets, funnel form lavender-blue flowers, planted as street trees, spectactular ornamental tree, leathery black seed pods, irregular open shape, contorted or multiple trunks, Brazil, Bignoniaceae
Jacaranda mimosifolia, Jacaranda, Daleys Fruit Trees

Dogwood, (Jacksonia scoparia), winged broom-pea, native broom, pea-flowered shrubs, up to 4 m, small shade tree, bright orange flowers, minor timber value, strong burning odour, Australia, Fabaceae
Jacksonia scoparia, Australian National Herbarium

Hairy clustervine, (Jacquemontia tamnifolia), small-flower morning glory, tie vines, Agroclavine alkaloid, used to treat medicinal disorders, invasive, Tropical and Subtropical America, Africa, India, Convolvulaceae

Foambark tree, (Jagera pseudorhus), fern-leaved tamarind, up to 10 m, rainforest tree, ornamental | saponins in bark | native fish poison and soap, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Sapindaceae
Jagera pseudorhus, Foambark tree, Daleys Fruit Trees

Indian jasmine, (Jasminum auriculatum), needle flower jasmine, jui, essential oils in flowers, folk medicine, cultivated commercially, India, Southeast Asia, Oleaceae
Desert jasmine, (Jasminum didymum subsp. lineare), scrambling vine, along stony watercourses, | Jasminine | Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, Australia, Oleaceae

Native jasmine, (Jasminum didymum subsp. lineare), slender woody vine, strong scented flowers, monsoon forest, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Oleaceae
Native jasmine, (Jasminum didymum subsp. racemosum), vine, delicate strongly perfumed white flowers, about 1 cm diameter, globula, black fleshy fruit, Australia. Oleaceae
Slender stemmed jasmine, (Jasminum gracile) | Jasminine | Oleaceae

Spanish jasmine, (Jasminum grandiflorum), Catalonian jasmine, royal jasmine, Italian jasmine, perennial, hardy plant, 60 cm, white aromatic flowers | Benzyl acetate | Benzyl alcohol | Star jasmine, (Jasminum multiflorum), skin diseases, flowers produce essential oils, Oleaceae

Starry jasmine, (Jasminum multipartitum), starry wild jasmine, African jasmine, Africa, Oleaceae

Jasmine>, (Jasminum officinale), common jasmine, white jasmine, poet's jessamine, deciduous climber, divided leaves, loose spray of fragrant white flowers, evergreen | Jasmone | Stachyose | Himalayas, China, Oleaceae
Dried herb sold as whole flower buds.

Pink jasmine, (Jasminum polyanthum), pink bud, climber, dies out at base and produces growth at the top, (houseplant), Oleaceae

Arabian jasmine, (Jasminum sambac), jasmine sambac, (cvs. Grand Duke, Maid of Orleans), perennial, 70 cm, the jasmine of perfumes and Chinese teas, herbal medicine, aromatic dried white flowers for refreshing fragrant tea to aid digestion, bathe infected eyes, "blood purifier", perfume hair | Dodecatrien-1-ol C12H20O | herbal medicine, used to treat tapeworm, national flower of Philippines (sampagutta), Bhutan, Oleaceae
Arabian Jasmine, Mudbrick Herb Cottage, (Jasminum sambac 'Grand Duke of Tuscany'), See text below Description.

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Genus names, J, (Jacaranda to Justicia)
Jacaranda mimosifolia, jacaranda, tree, ornamental, Brazil, Bignoniaceae.

Jateorhiza palmata, calumba root, columba, (many alkaloids), herbal medicine, Madagascar, Menispermaceae.

Johannesteijsmannia altifrons, litter collecting palm, large simple leaves collect litter in centre of plants, leaves used for thatching, Malaysia, Arecaceae.

Jubaea chilensis, Chilean wine palm, coquito palm, palm honey from sap in the stout grey trunk, Arecaceae.

Rush, (Juncus usitatus), common rush, hardy, vigorous upright clumping grass, to 1 metre, pale brown flowers, in stabilising banks and decorative ponds, in moist soils with full sun, Juncaceae.
Spiny rush, (Juncus acutus), sharp rush, sharp-pointed rush, in salt marshes, on dunes, used for erosion control, invasive weed, harmful spines, Juncaceae

Calumba, (Jateorhiza palmata), calumba root, columba, perennial climber, (many isoquinoline alkaloids), herbal medicine, bitter tonic, tropical East Africa, Menispermaceae

Bellyache bush, (Jatropha gossypilifolia), cotton-leaf physic nut, ornamental shrub, up to 2 m, small dark red flowers with bright yellow centres. three-lobed leaves, sticky dark brown hairs on leaf stalks, fruit splits to release poisonous black seeds which affect stock, sap may cause contact dermatitis and eye inflammation, Prohibited invasive plant of Queensland, (looks like castor oil plant, Ricinus communis), Euphorbiaceae.

Barbados nut, (Jatropha curcas), physic nut, purging nut, JCL, poisonous seed endosperm, Curcin toxalbumin, irritating sap, semi-evergreen shrub, easy to grow in deserts, used for biodiesel, folk medicine, voodoo cult practices, propagation by seed, stem cuttings, Tropical America, Euphorbiaceae.

Buddha belly plant, (Jatropha podagrica), gout plant, coral plant, purging nut, Guatemala rhubarb, bottle plant shrub, deciduous ornamental, swollen stem up to 60 cm, few large dark green leaves with wavy margin near top of plant, very small red flowers, yellow fruit with three toxic seeds which can cause abdominal poin and diarrhoea, copious clear sap can cause dermatitiis, grown in rockeries, tropical Americas, Euphorbiaceae.
Jatropha podagrica, Encyclopedia of Succulents

Joey palm trees, (Johannesteijsmannia altifrons), litter collecting palm, large simple leaves collect litter in centre of plants, leaves used for thatching, Malaysia, Arecaceae

Chilean wine palm, (Jubaea chilensis), coquito palm, palm honey from sap in the stout grey trunk, Arecaceae

Walnut, (Juglans regia), common walnut, English walnut, Persian walnut | Juglans regia, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery.

Japanese walnut tree, (Juglans ailanthifolia), edible nuts, oily texture, husks used to make yellowish dye, ornamental, Japan, Juglandaceae.

Butternut, (Juglans cinerea), white walnut tree, lemon-shaped nut surrounded by green husk before maturity, butternut bark, mildly cathartic folk medicine, bark was used as illegal fish poison, USA, Canada, Juglandaceae.

Black walnut, (Juglans nigra), eastern black walnut, herbal medicine contains manganese, timber, ornamental tree, hardest walnut shell, used as polishing abrasive, North America, Albania, Bulgaria, Juglandaceae.
Dried herb sold as hulls, Juglans nigra, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Juglans nigra, Black walnut, Daley's Fruit Trees.

Andean walnut, (Juglans neotropica), Colombian walnut, Ecuadorian walnut, cedro negro, cedro nogal, cloud forests, edible fruit in yellow-green husks when ripe, sap of fruit husk contains strong yellow dye, nut inside is more difficult to crack shell than Persian walnuts, so fruits should be soaked in water, but not allowed to ferment, hard durable wood called "nogal", Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Juglandaceae
Juglans neotropica, Andean walnut, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery.

Iron walnut. (Juglans sigillata), cultivated for oval-shaped edible nuts, timber, ornamental, China, Juglandaceae
Juglans sigillata, Iron walnut, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery.

Common rush, (Juncus usitatus), hardy, vigorous upright clumping grass, to 1 metre, pale brown flowers, in stabilising banks and decorative ponds, in moist soils with full sun, Juncaceae

Spiny rush, (Juncus acutus), sharp rush, sharp-pointed rush, in salt marshes, on dunes, used for erosion control, invasive weed, harmful spines, Europe, Africa, South America, Juncaceae
Juncus acutus, Brisbane City Council

Sea rush, (Juncus kraussii), salt marsh plant, used by native Australians for string and baskets, Australia, Juncaceae

Juniperus species, Cupressaceae

Willow-leaved justicia, (Justicia beddomei), Malabar nut, water willow, adusa, herbal medicine, vasicine alkaloid, India, Acanthaceae
Justicia species are called shrimp plants

White shrimp plant, (Justicia betonica), squirrel's tail, garden plant. Acanthaceae
Mexican shrimp plant, (Justicia brandegeana), small white flowers, surrounded by red-brown bracts, (houseplant), Acanthaceae
Brazilian plume flower, (Justicia carnea), jacobina, garden plant, Acanthaceae

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Genus names, K, (Kaempheria to Kunzea)

Kencur, (Kaempheria galanga), lesser galangale, aromatic ginger, sand ginger, cutcherry, resurrection lily, "galangal", perennial, up to 12 cm, deciduous, rare spice, aromatic pungent root in Asian cooking and curries, herbal medicine, orchid-like flowers, widely cultivated in Indonesia, southern China, Taiwan, Cambodia, India, Zingiberaceae
Kencur, Kaempferia galanga, Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below Description.

Round-rooted galangal, (Kaempferia rotunda), "Galangal", perennial, up to 60 cm, herbal medicine, culinary uses, leaves and roots eaten raw and cooked, Zingiberaceae
(A "galangal" refers to a species with an aromatic rhizome.)

Elephant's ear kalanchoe, (Kalanchoe beharensis), feltbush, evergreen shrub to small tree, up to 2 m, CAM photosynthesis study, roots like pipes, semi-arid regions, garden plant, but roots seek water, (houseplant), Madagascar, Crassulaceae
Kalanchoe beharensis, World of Succulents

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana hybrids, small, fleshy serrated leaves, (houseplants), Crassulaceae.
Kalanchoe manginii, spatula-shaped leaves, pendant bell-like orange-red flowers, (houseplants), Crassulaceae.

Air plant, (Kalanchoe pinnata), miracle leaf, cathedral bells, life plant, invasive in Australia, herbal medicine, Crassulaceae
Kalanchoe pinnata, Succulent Alley

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana hybrids, small, fleshy serrated leaves, (houseplants), Crassulaceae

Flaming katy, (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana), widow’s thrill, brightly coloured white to crimson flowers, used in gardens or pots and hanging baskets, Crassulaceae

Kalanchoe manginii, spatula-shaped leaves, pendant bell-like orange-red flowers, (houseplants), Crassulaceae

Flapjack, (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora), paddle plant, flowers clustered densely around the flower axis like a stack of pancakes, stems and leaves coated with a white powdery called “bloom” to protects from intense light and moisture conditions, (houseplant), Africa, Crassulaceae
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, Flapjack, Daleys Fruit Trees

Kalanchoe tubiflora, chandelier plant, (houseplant), Crassulaceae

Mountain laurel, (Kalmia latifolia), evergreen shrub, pink flowers open like umbrellas, popular for landscaping | Asebogenin | Grayanotoxin | Phloridzin | entire plant poisonous, North America, Epacridaceae
Kalmia latifolia, Nurseries Online

Northern brush mahogany, (Karrabina biagiana), brush mahogany, red carabeen, northern brush mararie, over 30 m, rainforest tree, opposite leaves have three large toothed leaflets, small cream flowers, short hairs cover capsules. decorative timber, Australia, Cunoniaceae
Karrabina biagiana, Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants

Black coral tree, (Kennedia nigricans), vigorous climber, up to 10 m, black and yellow pea flowers, used for cover plant but not in small gardens, Australia, Fabaceae
Kennedia nigricans, Black coral tree, Southern Harvest

Running postman, (Kennedia prostrata), red runner, scarlet pea, prostrate perennial creeper, spreading ground cover, masses of red flowers to be sucked for sweet nectar, liquorice-tasting tea substitute, stems used as twine, used to cover fences and growing up a trellis, ground cover and hanging baskets, Australian native food, Australia, Fabaceae
Kennedia prostrata, Australian Native Plants Society

Dusky coral pea, (Kennedia rubicunda), evergreen twining herb, dark red-purple flowers, propagate with sandpapered seed in boiling water, first Australian species sold in Britain, used for embankments or overgrowing large fences, Australia, Fabaceae
Kennedia rubicunda, Dusky coral pea, Southern Harvest

White elephant palm, (Kerriodoxa elegans), ching lang kao, tang lang kao, understory palm, up to 5 m, Thailand, Arecaceae

Sausage tree, (Kigelia africana), cucumber tree, only one species, ornamental tree, poisonous fruit looks like a sausage, tropical Africa, Bignoniaceae

Bullanok, (Kingia australis), kingia, palm-like habit, woody perennial, narrow grass-like leaves, very slow growing, Western Australia, Dasypoggonaceae

Field scabious, (Knautia arvensis), gipsy rose, perennial, up to 100 mm, herbal medicine, supposed to cure scabies and other skin disorders, Europe, Caprifoliaceae

Red hot poker, (Kniphofia uvaria), tritoma, torch lily, tall evergreen perennial, upright spikes of colourful flowers, Africa, Asphodelaceae

Burning bush, (Kochia scoparia subspecies trichophylla, Bassia scoparia), summer cypress, molly, ornamental, green to yellow to red shrub, toxic to livestock, prohibited invasive plant of Queensland, widespread weed Europe, Asia, Amaranthaceae

Crown of thorns, (Koeberlinia spinosa), allthorn, up to 4 m, tip of each branch has long sharp spines, Mexico, Koeberinaceae

Golden rain tree, (Koelreuteria paniculata), landscape tree, mustard-yellow plumes, each pink bladder contains 2 seeds size of pea, China, Sapindaceae

Kempas, (Koompassia malaccensis), tualang, manggis, up to 60 m, clean bole with little taper, smooth corky bark, used for parquetry flooring, panelling, furniture, but splits if exposed to weather, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, PNG, Fabaceae

White kopsia, (Kopsia singapurensis), kopsia, tropical forest tree, up to 5 m, fragrant red and white flowers like Singapore national flag, Singapore, Apocynaceae

Trailing ratany, (Krameria lanceolata), herbaceous perennial, grows along the ground, purple-red flowers, USA, Krameriaceae

Sweet white kunzea, (Kunzea ambigua), spreading shrub, up to 3.5 m, honey-scented white flowers, shade tolerant, drought tolerant, frost hardy, salt tolerant, dried leaves used to make tea and seasonings, Australian native food, Australia, Myrtaceae

Crimson kunzea, (Kunzea baxteri), small spreading shrub, showy red bottlebrush flowers, garden plant, Australia, Myrtaceae

Granite heath, (Kunzea graniticola), granite kunzea, beautiful weeping shrub, up to 4 m, rounded groups of white flowers, garden plant, Australia, Myrtaceae
Kunzea graniticola, Daleys Fruit Trees

Muntries, (Kunzea pomifera), emu apples, hairy stem, white flowers, small green ripe fruit, red berries, apple taste, groundcover or over trellis drought tolerant, native Australian dried food, Australia, Myrtaceae
Kunzea pomifera, Tucker Bushy

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