Plants, Scientific names, U to Z.

School Science Lessons
2024-09-27
Please send comments to: j.elfick@uq.edu.au
(UNBiolN3UZ)

Genus names, U to Z, (Ulmus to Zyzyphus)
Contents

Genus names U

Elm, (Ulmus minor var. 'vulgaris'), common elm, (mostly destroyed by Dutch Elm Disease, caused by fungus Ophiostoma novoulmi.
Ulmus species are called elms
American elm, (Ulmus americana), white elm, water elm | Catechin 7-0-xyloside | Ulmaceae
Wych elm, (Ulmus glabra), Scotch elm | Mansonone C | Ulmaceae
European white elm, (Ulmus laevis), Russian Elm, England, Ulmaceae
Chinese elm, (Ulmus parvifolia) lacebark elm, (commonly used for bonsai cultivation), roots penetrate under walls to topple them, Ulmaceae
English elm, (Ulmus procera), slippery elm, herbal medicine, Ulmaceae
Slippery elm, (Ulmus rubra), perennial, hardy plant, deciduous, herbal medicine, mucilaginous properties, used to treat disorders of the throat and digestive tract, USA, Ulmaceae
Dried herb is sold as powder and as bark powder, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.

Caesarweed, (Urena lobata), Congo jute, up to 0.5 m, perennial urena, aramina, cadillo, stems with minute star-like purols hairs. fibres for coffee sacks, invasive in USA, Brazil, Southeast Asia, Malvaceae
Bushveld signal grass, (Urochloa mosambicensis), white buffalo grass, herringbone grass, perennial, occasional pasture grass, signal grass, Poaceae

Lamington peach myrtle, (Uromyrtus lamingtonensis), Australia, Myrtaceae

Leafy bladderwort, (Utricularia foliosa), perennial, groundcover, lichen like, thrives in damp area and shade, carnivorous plant with capillary leaves bearing bladders to catch insects, Lentibulariaceae
Bladderwort, (Utricularia vulgaris), common bladderwort, groundcover, lichen-like plant, thrives in damp area and shade, carnivorous plant with tiny pods that trap insects, Lentibulariaceae
LentibulariaceaeH">Family Lentibulariaceae, the bladderwort family, (carnivorous), only 3 genera: Utricularia, Pinguicula and Enlisea.

Nettle, (Urtica dioica), common nettle, stinging nettle, perennial, hardy plant, up to 1 metre, stinging hairs and strongly toothed ovate leaves, aerial parts used in liquid tea for healthy plants and spray for aphids leaves in compost, tea as hair conditioner, and dandruff | Apocynin | Formic acid | Histamine | Serotonin | herbal medicine, temporary relief arthritis, hay fever, blood, liver and diuretic kidney tonic, astringent to dry oily skin, culinary uses, leaves cooked like spinach, stews, blended with fruit juices makes a refreshing smoothie, astincture, Bulgaria, Urticaceae
Nettle, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Dried herb is sold as leaves or root powder.
Scrub nettle, (Urtica incisa), "stinging nettle", tall nettle, upright perennial rainforest herb, triangular leaves with stinging hairs, leaves edible after baking, folk medicine, Australian native food, Urticaceae
Annual nettle, (Urtica urens), dwarf nettle, small nettle dog nettle, burning nettle, herbal medicine, Eurasia, Urticaceae
See diagram: Urtica urens.

Society garlic, (Tulbaghia violacea), wild garlic, pink agapanthus, low growing perennial plant, grow in full sun position, edible leaves have mild peppery onion flavour, may be used as chives, strap-like grey green leaves, star-shaped lilac-mauve flowers at end of long stems, attractive garden plant, South Africa, Amaryllidaceae
Society Garlic, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Society Garlic - Variegated, Tulbaghia violacea, Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below Description.

Yucca, (Yucca filamentosa), common yucca, (Adam's needle, Genesis 3:7), Spanish bayonet, needle palm, hardy perennial, up to 1-2 metres, white bell of beautiful white bell flowers, poisonous, ornamental, woody, the yucca moth Pronuba yuccasella, transfers pollen for fertilization, lays eggs in the ovules, and eats only some of the ovules, herbal medicine, dry regions of South America, Central America, Asparagaceae
Aloe yucca, (Yucca aloifolia), dagger plant, Spanish bayonet, leaves to 20 cm in dense rosette, very sharp points, pronounced trunk, edible fruit and flowers, Asparagaceae
Joshua tree, (Yucca brevifolia), grows only in Mojave Desert, California, Asparagaceae
Spineless yucca, (Yucca elephantipes), stick yucca, leaf tips not sharp, ornamental house plant. Asparagaceae
Mojave yucca, (Yucca shidigera), Spanish dagger, (roots contain saponins), grows in Mojave Desert Asparagaceae

Chilean guava, (Ugni molinae), strawberry myrtle, ugniberry, New Zealand cranberry, 'Tazziberry', Chile, Argentina.
Ugni Molinae, Ugni, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery

Gorse, (Ulex europaeus), common gorse, furze, whin, Ulex gorse, thorny evergreen shrubs, pea-shaped bright yellow flowers, dark green leaves, egg-shaped pods, ridged hairy stems with many spines, N -Methylcytisine, quinolizidine alkaloids cytisine and jussiaeiines A, C, and D, major invasive weed in Australia, Fabaceae

Ulluco, (Ullucus tuberosus), olluco, ulluku, melloco, chigua, ruba, papa lisa o lisas, ulluma, edible tubers are cylindrical to spherical and white to, red or with red spots on a yellow background, varieties with larger quantity of mucilage must be boiled before preparation, leaves used like spinach, The "ulluco viruses" are a danger to potato crops in other countries, Andean Region, South America, Basellaceae

California bay laurel, (Umbellularia californica), headache tree, California bay tree, Oregon myrtle, strong bay tree smell of, Cineole, Pinene, Sabinene, herbal medicine, traditional headache cure, crushed leaves give temporary headache relief, large hardwood tree, Lauraceae
Navelwort, (Umbilicus semiensis), bright green leaves rimmed with conspicuous hairs, Ethiopia, Crassulaceae

Cat's claw, (Uncaria tomentosa), una de gato, vilcacora | Tryptophan | Serotonin | Carboxystrictosidine | herbal medicine, South America, Rubiaceae
Cat's Claw, Dried herb sold as stem bark, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.

Genus names V
Blueberry, (Vaccinium corymbosum), northern highbush blueberry, many varieties and hybrids, black-blue berry, acidic fruit, important commercial crop, usually eaten raw, phenolic antioxidants | Anthocyanins | pigments in fruit skin turn green with baking soda, folk medicine, Native Americans used fresh fruit to treat urinary tract infections, cystitis, Ericaceae.
Dried herb is sold as berries infused in raw cane sugar and sunflower oil.
See diagram: Blueberry.
Vaccinium corymbosum, Blueberry 'Margaret', Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery
Vaccinium species: Cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, Peonidin, Petunidin
Cranberry 1, (Vaccinium macrocarpon subgenus Oxycoccus, USA cranberry), perennial vine, uneatable raw, because high acidity so processed to cranberry sauce for turkey dishes or dried, apple taste, manganese, Benzoic acid, polyphenols and phenolic derivatives, Caffeic acid 3-glucoside, Carotenes, Lutein, Myricetin, Ursolic acid herbal medicine, cranberry juice is traditional cure for urinary tract infections, e.g. cystitis, but no evidence for this cure, ingesting large quantities of cranberry juice may be unsafe, e.g. inhibits anticoagulant drug warfarin, in swamp areas, North America, Ericaceae.
Cranberry 2, (Vaccinium oxycoccos, UK), big plant, acid taste stronger than V. macrocarpon, Europe, Ericaceae.
Bilberry, (Vaccinium myrtillus), European blueberry, huckleberry, whortleberry, dwarf shrub, small blue flower, found on moors and waste spaces, edible, rich in flavonoids, herbal medicine, North America and Europe, Ericaceae.
Dried herb is sold as berries.
See diagram: Bilberry.
Bog bilberry, (Vaccinium uliginosum), Malvidin, Ericaceae.
Lingonberry, (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), cowberry, complex flavour, Arbutin, Hydroquinone, Proanthocyanidin, Ericaceae.

Mimosa bush, (Vachellia farnesiana), fragrance acacia, sweet wattle, sweet acacia, cassie, huisache, needle bush, forms thorny thickets, serious weed, bark and seed pods used for tannin, leaves to flavour chutney, perfume from flowers, herbal medicine, malaria, diarrhoea, Mexico, Central America, Fabaceae.
See diagram, Mimosa bush, flowers and pod, See diagram, Mimosa bush, infestation See diagram, Mimosa bush, leaves and spikes,
Karroo thorn, (Vachellia karroo), Kangaroo thorn, shrub up to 12 m, white paired thorns up to 10cm long, yellow ball-shaped flowers, rough red-brown to black bark, light-green fern-like leaves, sickle-shaped woody pod, drought-tolerant, Queensland prohibited invasive plant, Fabaceae.
Prickly acacia, (Vachellia nilotica), thorny shrub, up to 10 m, paired thorns 1–5 cm long, yellow ball-shaped flowers, fern-like leaves, flat pods, invasive, forms dense thorny thickets See diagram, Prickly acacia flowers, See diagram, Prickly acacia plant,

Valerian, (Valeriana officinalis), garden valerian, all-heal, Hercules woundwort, perennial, heads of pink or white flowers, up to 50 cm, for perfume, shade lover, rich phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, potassium, add to compost, companion plant, in garden said to stimulate earth worms, leaves tea spray to promote disease-resistant plants from dampening-off disease Actinidine, Hydroxyphenethyl Isovaleric acid, Bornyl acetate Valerenic acid, Valerianine, herbal medicine, use valerian capsules of tincture, tea to treat anxiety, for temporary relief of pain, headache, hiccups, irritable bowel syndrome, as a sedative, anticonvulsive, stop taking if heart palpitations or nervousness, do not use if taking sleep-enhancing or mood-regulating medications, amino acid valine, Bulgaria, Kenya, Mexico, Poland, Caprifoliaceae.
Valerian, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Dried herb is sold as root, and as root powder.
(Valerianaceae, Valerian family, is now considered part of the Caprifoliaceae, e.g. lemon verbena, vervain, chaste tree, corn salad, Aztec sweet herb, lantana.)
Lamb's lettuce, (Valerianella locusta), corn salad, Rapunzel, dark green rounded leaves, vitamin C β-carotenes, used in salads, occupies waste spaces, Europe, Asia, Caprifoliaceae.

Eelgrass, (Vallisneria species), freshwater eelgrass, tape grass, vallis, used in tropical and subtropical aquaria
American eel grass, (Vallisneria americana), but not "eel grass", aquatic weed, Hydrocharitaceae
Vallisneria tortifolia, thin tightly coiled leaves up to 20 cm in length, Hydrocharitaceae
Another eelgrass is the marine eelgrass, Zostera marina, seawrack, Zosteraceae

Spanish tamarind, (Vangueria edulis), edible green fruit, Rubiaceae
Vangueria edulis, Spanish tamarind, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery

Vanilla, (Vanilla planifolia), flat-leaved vanilla, vanilla vine, bourbon vanilla, Mexican vanilla, Reunion vanilla, perennial, climbing orchid, warm climate, aromatic pods used in soup, flavour ice cream, cakes, icing, drinks, fruit salad | Eugenol | Linalool | Vanillin | dried herb is sold as whole pods, cut pods 1-2 mm, pods powder, Mexico, India, Indonesia, Orchidaceae
Vanilla planifolia, Vanilla vine, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery
Vanilla beans, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
West Indian vanilla, (Vanilla pompona), vanillon, Pompona vanilla, Guadeloupe vanilla, Orchidaceae

Rosewood, (Vauquelinia californica), evergreen, woody stems, long slender dark-green leaves, clusters of fragrant creamy-white flowers, USA, Rosaceae

Dwarf royal palm, (Veitchia merrillii), Manila palm, single trunk, to 7 m, separate male and female flowers in a single inflorescence, popular garden plant, Arecaceae
[It is like a dwarf version of the royal palm (Roystonea regia).]

Sand lily, (Veltheimia capensis), elephant's eye, winter veltheimia, strap-shaped wavy-edged leaves, bell-like flowers on spike, (houseplant), South Africa, Hyacinthaceae
Forest lily, (Veltheimia bracteata), clusters of tubular pink flowers, South Africa, Hyacinthaceae

Supplejack, (Ventilago viminalis), whip vine, vine tree, weeping tree, up to 10 m, pendent branches, juvenile plants with vine-like growth habit intertwine and climb up parent plant, Australia, Rhamnaceae

White hellebore, (Veratrum album), false hellebore, corn lily, perennial, vertical rhizome, poisonous, protoveratrines | veratridine | herbal medicine, Europe, west Asia, Melanthiaceae
California lily, (Veratrum californicum), california false hellebore, poisonous | teratogens | Cyclopromine | Jervine | Melanthiaceae
Green hellebore, (Veratrum viride) | Cevadine | Melanthiaceae

Mullein, (Verbascum thapsus), common mullein, great mullein, white mullein, velvet plant, perennial, more than 1 metre, biennial, grey furry leaves, yellow, flowers seed stalks attractive dried flower arrangement, culinary uses, flowers in salads, herbal medicine, "mullein leaf" provides temporary relief for bronchial coughs, catarrh, mucous congestion, used as a divining rod, Scrophulariaceae
Mullein, Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below images.
Mullein Tea Dried herb is sold as aerials.
Mullein black, (Verbascum nigrum), dark mullein, perennial, more than 1 metre, yellow flowers, seed stalks, attractive dried flower arrangement, culinary uses, flowers in salads, herbal medicine, temporary relief of bronchial coughs, catarrh, mucous congestion, Scrophulariaceae

Vervain, (Verbena officinalis), common vervain, common verbena, herba sacra, the "divine weed", the Roman feast Verbenalia in its honour, holy herb, Juno's tears, pigeons' grass, simpler's joy | Verbenalin | herbal medicine, perennial, up to 50 cm, herbal medicine, bedtime tea, treat insomnia, stress, fevers, stimulant, formerly believed to stop poison action and cure the plague, Australia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Verbenaceae
Vervain, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Dried herb is sold as aerials.
Blue vervain,(Verbena hastata), wild hyssop, up to 150 cm, purple flowers, garden plant, North America, Verbenaceae
Blue Vervain, Mudbrick Herb Cottage, (Verbena hastata), Verbenaceae
Purpletop vervain, (Verbena bonariensis), Argentinian vervain, bright lavender flowers, ornamental, invasive, Verbenaceae
Garden verbena, (Verbena X hybrida) | Delphinidin | Verbenaceae

Crownbeard, (Verbesina encelioides), golden crownbeard, butter daisy, up to 150 cm, stock poison, weed, Australia), USA. Asteraceae

Bitter leaf, (Vernonia amygdalina), tooth brush tree, tree vernonia, popular African folk medicine, bushy shrub, up to 7 m tall, grey-brown rough bark, dark green leathery leaves, small white thistle-like flower heads, small nutlet fruit, in rainforests, bitter leaves and 'chewsticks' eaten as raw vegetables, good fodder species, used for fuelwood and charcoal, infusions used in many medicinal applications, soil conservation, ornamental, termite-resistant stakes and live fence, tropical Africa, Asteraceae
Purple fleabane, (Vernonia cinerea), little ironweed, ash-coloured speedwell, common vernonia, iron weed, ground cover, herbal medicine, Turkey, Syria, Asteraceae

Speedwell, (Veronica officinalis), common speedwell, heath speedwell, Paul's betony, perennial, groundcover, herbal medicine, wash on wounds, skin, conditions, tea for stress, blood tonic, indigestion, Hungary, Plantaginaceae
Speedwell, Mudbrick Herb Cottage
Dried herb sold as aerials.
Veronica species are called speedwells
| Catalpol | Plantaginaceae
Brooklime, (Veronica beccabunga), European speedwell, perennial, hardy plant, groundcover, wet places, leaves raw and cooked, rich in chlorophyll, vitamins A and C and minerals, culinary uses, leaves in salads and as garnish, herbal medicine, diuretic, high nutritional value, Plantaginaceae
Slender Speedwell, (Veronica filiformis) | Isoscutellarein | creeping speedwell, whetzel weed, Plantaginaceae
Birdeye speedwell, (Veronica persica) | Catalposide | Plantaginaceae

Culver's root, (Veronicastrum virginicum), black root, herbal medicine, North America, Plantaginaceae

Vetiver grass, (Vetiveria zizanioides), khus khus grass, cuscus grass, vetiveria grass, usiram vetivert oil, aromatic roots, herbal medicine, oils and soaps, used for erosion control and perfumes, India, Sri Lanka, Poaceae

Cramp bark, (Viburnum opulus), guelder-rose, water elder, arrowwood, European cranberry bush, long-living tree, up to 4 m, three-lobed leaves shed every year, dried bark collected from stem when plant in flower, herbal medicine, relaxes muscle tension and spasm, painful menstruation, biliary colic, renal colic, irritable bowel syndrome, relaxes blood vessels to the brain to treat tension headaches, migraine, Europe, Asia, Adoxaceae
Commercial medicines for night cramps, e.g. "Crampeze" capsules, contain Viburnum opulus extract dry concentration from dry stem bark, magnesium as heavy magnesium oxide, rutoside (rutin), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), Ginko biloba extract dry concentrate from dry leaf.
Viburnum opulus, Crampbark, Dried herb sold as bark, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
David Viburnum, (Viburnum davidii), attractive leaves and flowers, separate male and female plants, garden plant, used as hedge or screen | davidoside glucoside, C15H14O4 | Adoxaceae
Forked viburnum, (Viburnum furcatum) scarlet leaved viburnum, up to 4 m, white scented flowers, black fruit, self-sterile | phenylpropanoid Furcatin C20H28O10 | Adoxaceae
Sweet viburnum, (Viburnum odoratissimum), hedging plant, East Asia, Adoxaceae
Blackhaw, (Viburnum prunifolium), plum leaf viburnum, edible berries | phenol Salicin C13H18O7 | herbal medicine, analgesic, muscle pain, Adoxaceae
Laurustinus, (Viburnum tinus), evergreen, | sugar alcohol Viburnitol C6H12O5 | popular garden plant, hedging plant. Mediterranean, Adoxaceae

Broad bean, (Vicia faba), fava bean, vetch, tare | Catechin | Fabaceae
Seed and seed pods used for food and plants used as a cover crop.
Varieties called field bean, tic bean, tick bean fed to horses.
Outer seed coat may cause the hemolytic response called favism.
Experiment: Make ink equidistant marks on the radicle to find zones of elongation.
Broad bean, Exalbuminous seed, Vicia faba (Experiments)
Broad bean, Geotropism responses in shoots
Woolly pod vetch, (Vicia villosa), tropical pasture legume, Fabaceae

Royal water lily, (Victoria amazonica), giant water lily, huge floating leaves, nocturnal flowers, largest known water lily, South America, Nymphaeaceae
Santa Cruz water lily, (Victoria cruziana), very large floating leaves, South America, Nymphaeaceae

Pencil yam , (Vigna lanceolata), native bean, Maloga bean, parsnip bean, small yam, bush carrot, slender twining desert plant, yellow pea flowers, roots edible after baking, Australian native food, Fabaceae
Moth bean, (Vigna aconitifolia), mat bean, arid regions, grain legume, drought-resistant, India, Fabaceae
Adzuki bean, (Vigna angularuis), azuki bean, red ming bean, grain legume, in red bean paste, East Asia, Fabaceae
Hairy cowpea, (Vigna luteola), hairypod cowpea, tropical wet pasture legume, widespread, Fabaceae
Black gram, (Vigna mungo), mungo bean, urad dal, grain legume, India, Fabaceae
Shaw creeping vigna, (Vigna parken), tropical pasture legume, Fabaceae
Mung bean, (Vigna radiata), green bean, green gram, golden gram, moong dal, Fabaceae
Bambara groundnut, (Vigna subterranea), edible pods ripen underground, West Africa, Fabaceae
Rice bean, (Vigna umbellata), ricebean, dried pulse, south Asia, Fabaceae
Cowpea , (Vigna unguiculata), black eye pea, crowder, southern bean, China pea, Kaffir pea, marble pea, drier tropics, widespread legume food crop, Fabaceae

Greater periwinkle, (Vinca major), blue leaf periwinkle, pink periwinkle, large periwinkle, perennial, evergreen, pairs of glossy dark green leaves, taller stems spread rapidly, from rooted runners, groundcover under trees, weed, herbal medicine, astringent, former laxative, poisonous, Southern Europe, Apocynaceae
Lesser periwinkle, (Vinca minor), not so tall as greater periwinkle, perennial, groundcover, herbal medicine, source of | Vincamine | Bulgaria, Apocynaceae
Dried herb is sold as aerials.
Vinca species are called periwinkles.

Mistletoe, (Viscum album), European mistletoe, hemiparasite on different host trees, worshipped by druids, who thought it was the "ethereal tree", which increased the species by preventing sterility, traditional ancient herbal medicine, Europe, Santalaceae
Viscum album, Mistletoe, Dried herb sold as aerials, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Viscum articulatum, leafless parasite with flattened green stems, Santalaceae
Viscum crusiatum, red-berry mistletoe | Lupanine | Mediterranean, Syria, Santalaceae

Sweet violet, (Viola odorata), English violet, "violet", common violet, garden violet, blue violet, perennial, groundcover, hardy plant, fragrant flowers | perfumery Violet leaf aldehyde | herbal medicine, culinary uses, salads, desserts, dried herb sold as leaves, Croatia, Violaceae
Viola odorata, Sweet Violet, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Viola species, violets, | alpha-Irone | Piperonal | Violaceae
Field pansy, (Viola arvensis), European field pansy, two-toned fragrant flowers, invasive, Violaceae
Pansy, (Viola × wittrockiana), garden pansy, hybrid perennial used as an annual, slow growing up to 20 cm, (French pensee, thought, the flowers look like they are thinking), used for borders and hanging pots Violaceae
Native violet, (Viola banksii), wild violet, perennial, kidney-shaped leaves, richly coloured lavender/white flowers herbal medicine, culinary uses, groundcover, Violaceae
Mountain violet, (Viola betonicifolia), arrowhead violet, Australia, Violaceae
Native violet, (Viola hederacea), small plant, distinctive rounded leaves, pale mauve to white flowers, anterior petal widest towards its apex, mature seeds are brown, dark green above, pale green beneath common in Australia, rarely cultivated, groundcover, up to 150 mm, in damp shady areas, small round light green leaves, violet flowers grow in rockeries, mass plantings, pots and hanging baskets, Violaceae
Viola hederacea, Native Violet, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Wild pansy, (Viola tricolor), heartsease, pansy, (wild pansy USA), butterfly flower, herb trinity, love-in-idleness, johnny-jump-up, kiss-me-quick, tickle-my-fancy, love-in-idleness, wildflower perennial, up to 10 cm | Violaxanthin | herbal medicine, love potion, culinary uses, edible garnish, common wild flower, dried herb sold as aerials, Europe, Asia, Bulgaria, Violaceae
See diagram: Viola tricolor.

Shea butter tree, (Vitellaria paradoxa), West Africa, produces shea butter for cooking, hairdressing, soap, candles, Sapotaceae

Vitex, (Vitex melicopea), finely fluted stem, leaflet blades with yellow glands, tubular flowers, globular fruits, seed enclosed in a stone, dry rainforest, Australia, Lamiaceae
Chaste tree, (Vitex agnus-castus), chasteberry tree, monk's pepper, Abraham's balm, vitex, (Latin agnus castus chaste lamb), perennial, up to 1-3 metres, hardy plant, aromatic shrub, deciduous, hemp tree, 1-3 m, attractive fragrant violet-lavender flowers, culinary uses, aromatic leaves and flowers used in dried flower arrangements, aromatic seeds alternative to peppercorns, Agnuside, Casticin, herbal medicine, affects pituitary gland, used to treat muscular cramps, premenstrual disorders, menopause problems, do not use if taking contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy, reputed anaphrodisiac for men, so is called the "chaste tree", used in basket weaving, Southern Europe, Lamiaceae
Chaste Tree, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Dried herb is sold as berries.
Dried herb is sold as berry powder.
Black plum, (Vitex acuminata), scrub vitex, up to 15 m, blue-purple to white-cream flowers, globular fruits, grows in gullies, Australia, Lamiaceae
Satinwood, (Vitex lignum-vitae), yellow hollywood, lignum-vitae, up 30 m, purple flowers, red drupe, rainforest tree, Australia, Lamiaceae
Rough fingerleaf, (Vitex madiensis), shrub, up to 5 metres, woody rootstock, black ovoid edible fruit, harvested from the wild, essential oil in leaves, Ajugasterone, Zimbabwe, Lamiaceae
Chinese vitex, (Vitex negundo), five-leaved chaste tree, nirgundi, Acerosin, Agnuside, herbal medicine, India, Lamiaceae
Chinese Vitex, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Roundleaf chaste tree, (Vitex rotundifolia), beach vitex, Agnuside, herbal medicine, premenstrual syndrome, Pacific region, Lamiaceae
Simple-leaf chaste tree, (Vitex trifolia), herbal medicine, women's health, relieve fevers, coastal east Africa, Lamiaceae
Purple vitex, (Vitex trifoliata purpurea), traditional herbal medicine, ornamental, Lamiaceae

Grape vine, (Vitis vinifera), common grape, many varieties, small vine, liana, grows to 32 m, flaky bark, alternate leaves palmately lobed, the berry fruit is called a "grape", deciduous, fruit, small, round, sweet, in bunches, used fresh, juice, jelly, grown from cuttings, grafting, Vitaceae
| Catechin | (E163 Anthocyanins), America, Europe, Asia, Vitaceae
Vitis varieties Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery
Grapes DPI, NSW
Gapeseed oil, extracted from the seeds of grapes, is used in cooking and cosmetics and for topical medicinal purposes.
Grapeseed oil is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids and contains tocopherol, linolenic acid, quercetin, resveratrol, procyanidins, carotenoids, and phytosterols.
Use the cold-pressed grapeseed oil, rather than commercail products produced with hexane.

Voacanga, (Voacanga Africana), to 6 m, white flowers, green spherical fruits, seeds yellow pulp | Ibogaine | Voacangine | psychodelic effects, ataxia, used in African magic rituals, no modern medical use, major export from tropical Africa, Apocynaceae

Parasitic ghost plant, (Voyria parasitica), saprophyte, up to 35 cm, no chlorophyll, leaves reduced to small scales, 5 white fused sepals, 5 white fused petals, 5 stamens, many seeded capsule, Gentianaceae

King of the Bromeliads, (Vriesea hieroglyphica), large rosette of wide, strap-shaped leaves, dark green markings, (houseplant), Bromeliaceae
Flaming sword, (Vriesea splendens), rosette of strap-shaped leaves, brown cross-bands, colourful red bracts, (houseplant), Bromeliaceae

Genus names W
Bushy bluebell, (Wahlenbergia multicaulis), up to 0.75 m, Australian native food, Australia, Campanulaceae
Large-flowered bluebell, (Wahlenbergia stricta), Campanulaceae
Tufted bluebell, (Wahlenbergia communis, Australian native food, Australia, Campanulaceae

Wasabi, Japanese horseradish, (Wasabia japonica), (Eutrema japonicum), semi-aquatic perennial, grows naturally partly submerged or along cool mountain streams, kidney-shaped rounded green leaves, small white flowers on thin stems, hotly pungent rhizome, first grown in a pot, whole plant edible if cooked, used with sushi, stems used as pungent condiment, vapours stimulate the nasal passages more than the tongue, matures in eighteen months-two years, also leaves used in salads, curries, pickles, use small amount of finely-grated large stem with soy sauce as dipping sauce for sushi sauce, Myrosinase, Allyl isothiocyanate, and many enzymes are released by grating cell rupture, dried for a seasoning paste, or grated fresh as a garnish, Japan, Brassicaceae
Eutrema japonicum, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery
Commercial "wasabi" may be mainly horseradish, e.g. "S&B Wasabi, Prepared wasabi in tube. Ingredients: Horseradish, (31%), Wasabi Japonica, (4.5%).
Excessive consumption of this food may have a laxative effect.
Partly used root, stem and even whole plants can be kept in a household refrigerator for several weeks.
If overdose of wasabi, to avoid drawing irritants into the lungs, breathe only in through the nose and out through the mouth.
Extremely strong pungency from vapours that stimulate the nasal passages more than the tongue.
See diagram: Wasabi
Japan, Brassicaceae.
Wasabia japonica, Wasabi, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery

American cotton palm, (Washingtonia filifera), desert fan palm, petticoat palm, fan-shaped, long-stalked, grey-green leaves with fibrous threads at ends, Arecaceae
Washington palm, (Washingtonia robusta), desert fan palm, Mexican washingtonia, sky duster, very tall distinctive palm for parks, Mexico, Arecaceae

Native rosemary, (Westringia fruticosa), coastal rosemary, Australian rosemary, hardy, stiff and bushy growth, up to 2 m and 5 m across, large type of ground-cover plant, dark even green foliage, two strap-like leaves up to 2 cm long, white flowers 2 cm across, Lamiaceae.
See diagram: Westringia fruticosa
Westringia fruticosa, Native rosemary, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery

Tree tumbo, (Welwitschia mirabilis), tumboa, short hollow stem with two strap-like leaves, slow growing, male and female cones, Namibia deserts, Welwitschiaceae, Phylum Gnetophyta.

Whisk-ferns, Psilotum species, Psilotopsida Division

Mountain widdringtonia, (Widdringtonia cupressoides), mlange cedar, compact shrub, South Africa, Cupressaceae

Tie bush, (Wikstromia indica), bootlace bush, toxic, traditional Chinese medicine, Thymelaeaceae

Wisteria, (Wisteria floribunda 'Macrobotrys'), wisteria, (named after Caspar Wistar), poisonous pods and seeds, Fabaceae
W. floribunda ‘Macrobotrys’ are often grown over high pergolas or tunnel frames, with long flowers hanging down gracefully and form a fragrant colourful tunnel.
American wisteria, (Wisteria frutescens), very popular climbing ornamental, North America, Fabaceae
Chinese wisteris, (Wisteria sinensis), pinnate leaves, lilac-purple flowers, China, Fabaceae
Wisteria, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery

Withania, (Withania somnifera), Indian ginseng, ashwagandha, poison gooseberry, winter cherry, (Latin somnifera sleep inducing), ("ashva" Sanskrit: "horse", "gandha" Sanskrit: "smell", root has strong horse-like smell.), perennial, up to 60 cm, small branching shrub, 1 metre high and 75 cm wide, herbaceous plant, stems green and soft, branches and leaves downy grey fuzz, flowers small and light green, bright orange-red berry with tiny seeds, esteemed Indian folklore herbal medicine, mild sedative, primary strengthening tonic, sleeplessness, fatigue, immune system, root called "Ashwagandha", said to calm the brain, lower blood pressure, reduce pain and inflammation, alter the immune system, anti-stress "adaptogen" | 3-tropanol, (C8H15NO), Tropine | Withaferin A, (C28H38O6) | used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, easing lower back pain and sciatica, but pregnant and breast-feeding women should avoid ingesting any part of the plant, may cause severe stomach pain, fruit rich in | Saponins | as soap substitute, insect repellent, cultivated in India, Solanaceae
Withania, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Dried herb is sold as ashwagandha root.
Indian rennet, (Withania coagulans), panirband, vegetable rennet, ashutosh booti, Solanaceae

Foxtail palm, (Wodyetia bifurcate), attractive palm, long leaves, up to 10 m, large orange fruit, world-wide distribution, Australia, Arecaceae
Wodyetia bifurcate, Foxtail palm, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery

Wollostonia uniflora, (Melanthera biflora), straggling perennial herb, Australia, Asteraceae

Wollemi pine, (Wollemia nobilis), discovered Australia 1994, height to 36 m, now being widely and extensively propagated, Araucariaceae
Wollemia nobilis, Wollemi pine

Fire flame bush, (Woodfordia fructicosa), dhataki, herbal medicine, India, Lythraceae

Spotless watermeal, (Wolffia arrhiza), rootless duckweed, smallest known flowering plant, Lemnaceae

Coral swirl, (Wrightia antidysenterica), tellicherry bark, arctic snow, milky way plant, bark is said to have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, Apocynaceae
Pala indigo plant, (Wrightia tinctoria), dyers' oleander, up to 15 m, forest plant, used for traditional treatment of sickle cell anaemia, Australia, Vietnam, India, Apocynaceae

Genus names X
Noogoora burr, (Xanthium occidentale), syn. X. pungens, X. strumarium), upright shrub, up to 2.5 m, short-lived annual, widespread weed, abundant after floods, fruits are hard, woody, spiny burrs with hooked spines containing 2 seeds, burrs an tangle in sheep fleece, injure livestock, increase wool processing costs, impede stock access to watering points, compete with crops, USA. Asteraceae
Cocklebur, (Xanthium spinosum), Bathust burr, wind pollinated, world-wide invasive weed, poisonous to humans and livestock, traditional herbal medicine, Chile, Asteraceae
Clotbur, (Xanthium strumarium), rough cocklebur, large cocklebur, woolgarie bur, traditional herbal medicine, North America, Asteraceae
Xanthium species contain glycoside toxin carboxyatractyloside which causes severe hypoglycemia and massive hepatic necrosis

Grass-tree, (Xanthorrhoea australis), black boy, blue-green leaves hang down to skirt trunk blackened by bush fires, widespread in Australia | Aloe-emodin | Asphodelaceae
Blue grass tree, (Xanthorrhoea glauca), up to 5 m, grey-blue leaves, Australian native food, Asphodelaceae
Xanthorrhoea glauca Grass tree, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery
Stemless grass tree, (Xanthorrhoea macronema), bottlebrush grass tree, "long thread", dwarf grass tree, Asphodelaceae
Australian grass tree, (Xanthorrhoea preissii) | Paeonol | spread of 1 m, flower spike, black trunk in later years, Asphodelaceae
Balga, (Xanthorrhoea preissii, X. reflexa) | Paeonol | Asphodelaceae

Chinese taro, Xanthosoma saggittifolium, tannia, Chinese taro, Araceae
Blue taro, (Xanthosoma violaceum), black elephants ear blue tannia, purple stem taro, pot plant or under-story filler with large dark green leaves with black veins on the back, cultivated for its edible roots and leaves. but needs thorough cooking, because of calcium oxalate crystals, tropical America, Araceae

Golden penda, (Xanthostemon chrysanthus), first love, up to 8 m, showy, dense cluster of golden yellow flowers, grown in full sun to part shade, well-drained soil, hedge, windbreak, screen or as feature tree, native flora emblem of Cairns, Myrtaceae
Little penda, (Xanthostemon verticillatus), bloomfield penda, hardy, shrub, up to 2 m, glossy dark green leaves, clusters of pale lemon flowers, prune after flowering for bushy growth, grow in moist, well-drained soils in full sun, in tubs and containers, Myrtaceae

Golden everlasting daisy, (Xerochrysum bracteatum), everlasting daisy, golden everlasting, paper daisy, straw daisy, strawflower, yellow paper daisy, garden plant, very long lasting golden yellow flowers, used as cut flowers and dried flowers, grown as an annual or perennial herbaceous shrub growing from 10-120 cm high, with multiple branches and large, soft and sometimes sticky leaves. Australia, Asteraceae

Yellow plum, (Ximenia americana), tallow wood, hog plum, sea lemon, small sprawling tree, oval-shaped bright green leaves have smell of almonds, pale flowers, lemon-yellow or orange-red fruits, plum-like taste, young leaves may be cooked as a vegetable, but contains cyanide herbal medicine to treat sore muscles and gums, roots contain tartaric acid, Australian native food, Olacaceae

Woody pear, (Xylomelum occidentale), large woody pear-shaped seed capsules, winged seeds, Australia, Proteaceae
Ethiopian pepper, (Xylopia aethiopica), evergreen, aromatic tree, up to 20 m, dried fruits (grains of Selim) used as spice / herbal medicine, (Alkaloids: | Oxophoebine | Liriodenine | Oxoglaucine | O-methylmoschatoline | Lysicamine | ornamental, Africa, Annonaceae

Genus names Y
Joshua tree, (Yucca brevifolia) yucca palm, Asparagaceae

Genus names Z
Zamia species, Zamiaceae, Phylum Cycadophyta.

Arum lily, (Zantedeschia aethiopica), white callas, calla lily, pig lily, lily-of-the-Nile, long-lived herbaceous plant, upright leaves, flowering stems, up to 1 m. large leathery leaves, long thick, stalks with wavy margins, perennial herb, ornamental and used in funerals, usually showy white funnel-shaped spathe with central finger-like spadix, poisonous, home garden plant, environmental weed of wetlands, Southern Africa, Araceae

Winged prickly ash, (Zanthoxylum alatum), deciduous shrub, up to 4 m, dioecious, flowers either male or female, only one sex on the plant, is not self-fertile, seed powder used as pepper substitute in Chinese 'five spice' mixture, seeds and the bark herbal remedy for fevers and other ailments, China, Rutaceae
Prickly ash, (Zanthoxylum americanum), common prickly ash, up to 10 m, membranous leaflets, axillary flower clusters, antifungal oil from bark used as folk medicine, North America, Rutaceae
Dried herb sold as bark.
West Indian satinwood, (Zanthoxylum flavum) | Psoralen | durable wood used for carving, West Indies, Rutaceae
East African satinwood, (Zanthoxylum gilletii) | Hesperidin amide and acridone alkaloids | Africa, Rutaceae
Japanese pepper, (Zanthoxylum piperitum), sansho, Japanese prickly ash | Citronellal | Linalool | Myrcene | Japan, Rutaceae
Indian prickly ash, (Zanthoxylum rhetsa), mullillam, up to 26 m, dioecious, bark and immature fruits used as spice, seeds used as black pepper, young leaves use as seasoning or are cooked, mullillam oil extracted from the fruits used for folk medicine for many ailments, India, Rutaceae
Chinese pepper, (Zanthoxylum simulans), Sichuan peppercorn, Chinese prickly ash, prickly oil, eaten with chilli peppers in Sichuan Province, China, which give a numb tingle sensation to the lips, Rutaceae
| Citronellol | Geraniol | Linalool |
Methyl cinnamate | Myrcene | Phellandrene | Pinene | Sanshool | (Chelerythrine chloride) in root) | herbal medicine, China, Rutaceae

Maize, (Zea mays, Indian corn)

Zelkova, (Zelkova carpinifolia), Caucasian zelkova, Caucasian elm, up to 25 m, fluted bole, valuable timber. street ornamental, south-west Asia and Europe, Ulmaceae
Japanese elm, ( Zelkova serrata), keaki, smooth bole, commonly planted ornamental and used in bonsai, New York "street tree", Korea, China, Japan, Ulmaceae

Autumn rain-lily, (Zephyranthes candida), fairy Lily, Peruvian swamp-lily, rain lily zephyr flower, flowering bulb, grass-like leaves, crocus-like white flowers, (houseplant), South America, Amaryllidaceae

Camas, (Zigadenus glaberrimus), large death camus, large-flowered zigadenus, sandbog, death camas, snakeroot, thick and twisted rhizome, two conspicuous glands per tepal, short-lived native perennial wildflower, large showy white flowers, 30 to 70 blooms in a panicle, grows in low elevation, contains toxic alkaloids, all parts of plant are poisonous to both humans and animals, especially dried seed and capsules, USA. Melanthiaceae

Ginger, (Zingiber officinale), Chinese ginger, Thai ginger, East Indian ginger, garden ginger, Jamaica ginger, more than 1 metre, white flowers, ginger-shaped, root, narrow leaves, similar growth and uses to greater galangal | Cineole | Galangin | folk medicine, treat coughs, Zingiberaceae
Ginger, (Zingiber officinale), garden ginger, eating ginger, herbaceous, perennial, to 1 metre, narrow green leaves, yellow flowers, deciduous, foliage dies down in late Autumn then rhizomes harvested as cooking spice, pungent flavour, not-volatile, rhizome contains phenols, mainly 6-gingerol, culinary uses, savoury and sweetener, dried ginger more pungent than fresh ginger, curries, pickles, chutneys, Chinese and Thai dishes, cakes, biscuits called "ginger nuts", gingerbread cake, ginger beer, ginger ale, as | Tincture | Cineole | Citral | Linalool | Phellandrene | , herbal medicine, ginger tea after meals to cut gas production, reduce burping and heartburn, crystalline or root ginger for motion sickness, ginger ale or ginger nut biscuit for mild nausea and vomiting, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, southern China, Nepal, Zingiberaceae
Ginger is said to have a hot, spicy and woody taste.
Ginger helps to relieve nausea and digestive issues.
Ginger reduces inflammation which may, in turn, bring relief to the pain of arthritis and muscle soreness.
Dried herb is sold as root, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
See diagram: Zingiber.
See diagram: Zingiber officinale.
[Ginger (Zingiber officinale), ornamental gingers (Alpinia sp., Hedychium sp.), crepe ginger (Costus sp.), torch ginger (Etlingera sp.)]
[Shell Ginger, (Alpinia zerumbet), (Languas speciosa, Costus zerumbet, Alpinia speciosa)]
[Red Back Australian Ginger, (Alpinia caerulea ‘Atherton’)
[Javanese ginger, (Curcuma zanthorrhiza, Curcuma xanthorrhiza), Java ginger, Javanese turmeric, Zingiberaceae
Temulawak.jpg
Myoga ginger, (Zingiber mioga), Japanese ginger, herbaceous perennial, flower buds and shoots shredded for miso soup garnish Japan, China, Zingiberaceae
Zingiber mioga, Myoga Ginger, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery
Beehive ginger, (Zingiber spectabilis), garden plant, beehive-shaped long lasting flowers, Zingiberaceae
Essential oils:16.3.6.7: Gingerol.
Dried herb is sold as root and root powder.
See diagram: Native ginger, (Australia), Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery
See diagram: Zingiber.
See diagram: Zingiber officinale.
See diagram: Garden ginger, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery
Ginger, Zingiber officinale, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Dried herb is sold as root, Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Zingiber officinale, Ginger QLD, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery
Ginger, Zingiber officinale, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery
Ginger, Zingiber officinale, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery
Zingiber officinale, Ginger QLD, Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery
Ginger beer, "plant"
Ginger rhizome
A "galangal" is a Zingiberaceae rhizome.

Youth-and-old-age, (Zinnia elegans), common zinnia, ornamental, upright daisy-like annual, flowers profusely, grown from seed South America, Asteraceae
Small-flowered zinnia, (Zinnia pauciflora), single long-stem orange-red flowers, annual, South America, Asteraceae

Southern wild rice, (Zizania aquatica), wild rice, Indian rice, vegetable, grows on river and lake shores, Native American food. North America, Poaceae

Jujube, (Zizyphus jujuba), Chinese date, Chinese jujube, Chinese red date, shrub or small tree small, oval, yellow or brown, sweet, used fresh, dried, preserved, from cuttings, fruit red to purple black, like small dates, dried fruit Persian "annab", folk medicine, different parts used to treat different diseases and complaints including anemia, anxiety, bronchitis, cancer, diabetes, diarrhoea, fever, insomnia, liver disorders, obesity, pharyngitis, skin infections, urinary disorders, and for blood purification and improve tone of the gastrointestinal tract, Rhamnaceae
Jujube contains fatty acids, (mainly oleic, linoleic, (omega-6), palmitic, and palmitoleic acids), and also amino acids, proteins, bioactive compounds (flavonoids cerebrosides), phenolic acids (alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene), polysaccharides, Triterpenic acids, said to have anticarcinogenic and antitumor properties, Asia, Rhamnaceae
Dried Chinese date sold as whole seed.
See diagram: Zizyphus jujuba, Chinese date.
Zizyphus jujuba, Jujube, Daly's Fruit Trees.
Christ's thorn, (Zizyphus spina-christata), Queensland prohibited invasive plant, Rhamnaceae
Indian plum, (Zizyphus mauritiana), Malay jujube, Chinese apple, ber tree, masau, shrub or small tree, thorny, evergreen, weed in Australia, fruit small, oval yellow or brown, sweet, used fresh, dried, jelly, candied, evergreen, propagation from seed, Asia, Rhamnaceae

Eelgrass, (Zostera marina), sea wrack, usually submerged tidewater plant, dried leaves used for packing glass, Europe, Asia, Zosteraceae

Korean no-mow grass, (Zoysia tenuifolia), Mascarene grass, lawn grass, ground hugger, grows to only 10 cm, always green, likes moist conditions, ideal feature grass, Poaceae

Banished stink bush, (Zieria exsul), Mooloolabah Zieria, Rutaceae
Downy zieria, (Zieria cytisoides), Australia, Rutaceae
Zieria obovata, small hirsute shrub, up 1 m, understory of wet open eucalypt forest, Australia, Rutaceae
Gurgeena stink bush, (Zieria vagans), Rutaceae

Deathcamas, (Zigadenus species are poisonous to livestock), the most toxic are Nuttall's death camas, (Zygadenus nuttallii), Foothill death camas, (Zygadenus paniculatus), Meadow death camas, (Zygadenus venenosus), USA, Liliaceae

Zygnema, Spirogyra, Zygnema, Chlorophyta Division, Phylum Chlorophyta, (Zygnemataceae, Charophyta)

Christmas cactus, (Zygocactus truncatus, Schlumbergera truncata), crab cactus, flattened segments, exotic flowers, (houseplant), USA, Actaceae

Indian jujube, (Zyzyphus mauritania), Chinese date, tropical fruit tree, eaten fresh and dried or candied fruit, Ramnaceae