School Science Lessons
(Foodgardens6ab)
2025-07-28
Foodgardens6abH">Asteraceae to Bixaceae , Plant families
Contents
5.1 Asteraceae, Daisy family
5.2 Balsaminaceae, Balsam family
5.3 Basellaceae, Basella family
5.4 Berberidaceae, Barberry family
5.5 Brassicaceae, Mustard family
5.6 Bignoniaceae, Trumpet creeper family
5.7 Bixaceae, Achiote family
5.1 Asteraceae, Daisy family
Glebionis
Grindelia
Gynura
Helianthus
Helichrysum
Hieracium
Inula
Lactuca
Leucanthemum
Liatris
Matricaria
Onopordum
Petasites
Polymnia
Porophyllum
Scorzonera.
Santolina
Siegesbeckia
Solidago
Silybum
Stevia
Tagetes
Tanacetum.
Taraxacum
Tithonia
Tragopogon
Tussilago
5.2 Balsaminaceae, Balsam family.
Impatiens
5.3 Basellaceae, Basella family.
Basella
5.4 Berberidaceae, Barberry family.
Berberis
Caulophyllum
Nandina
Podophylum
Epimedium
Asteraceae, Daisy family
Glebionis
Glebionis coronaria, garland chrysanthemum, edible garland chrysanthemum, chop suey greens, shungiku, crown daisy, annual, grown from seeds
white / yellow / cream flowers, harvest young leafy tops when 15-30 cm high, later woody stems produce bitter leaves
chop young leaves finely for Asian salad cuisine, petals, (rays), mostly used in Japan, leaves and flowers in tempura, soaked to make chrysanthemum tea
flowers as herbal medicine, East Asia, Asteraceae.
Edible Garland Chrysanthemum , Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Grindelia
Grindelia camporum, great valley gumplant, great valley gumweed, tall perennial, thistle-like yellow flower heads, Native American folk medicine, California.
Grindelia camporum , Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below Description.
Dried herb sold as aerials.
Gum plant, (Grindelia robusta), France.
Dried herb sold as aerials.
Gynura
Gynura crepoides, Okinawa spinach, Asteraceae.
Okinawa Spinach , Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Sambung"> Gynura procumbens, sambung, sambung nyawa, "longevity spinach", perennial, up to 50-80 cm, herbal medicine, often referred to
as "life extender" antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, culinary uses, leaves used raw and cooked and made as tea, culinary uses, herbal medicine,
South East Asia.
Sambung Nyawa , Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below Description.
Helianthus
Helianthus annuus, sunflower, annual, grown from seed, hairy, up to 1-3 metres, strong stalk, alternate leaves, up to 10-30 cm long, heart-shaped, leaves on long stalks
solitary flower head 10-35 cm across, brown disc florets, single row of yellow rays, each flower in the axil of a bract, large usually white seeds, culinary uses
seeds 25% protein, minerals, vitamins, D and E, seeds must be well-chewed, sunflower oil, herbaceous stem, stalks and leaves for animal feed or compost cortex
differentiated into outer cortex, collenchyma, middle cortex, and inner cortex, endodermis, inulin = D-fructose units, ornamental "children's plant"
western North America, Asteraceae.
Helianthus tuberosus, Jerusalem artichoke, Jerusalem sunflower, sunflower artichoke, sun root, sun choke, (Italian girasole articiocca, sunflower), perennial
up to 1-2 metres, hardy plant, deciduous, yellow flowers grown by tubers, culinary uses, low starch, tuber rich source vitamin, A, B, C and polysaccharide
inulin, eaten raw is crisp and crunchy, or cooked, flavour egg dishes and teas, little used for food, may cause flatulence | Terpenes | give pleasant aroma | flavour
similar to globe artichoke, but does not look like an artichoke, herbal medicine, edible tubers contain inulin, (fructose polymer) instead of starch, grown from tubers
agricultural weed, ornamental, North America, Asteraceae.
Jerusalem Artichoke , Dalys Fruit Trees.
Helichrysum
Helichrysm italicum, curry plant, immortelle, everlasting helichrysum, perennial, grows on dry, rocky or sandy ground from woody cuttings, small bush
stems woody at base up to 40 cm, silvery stems and narrow silver leaves smelling like curry, clusters of pale gold flowers retain colour after picking
used in dried flower arrangements, culinary uses, young shoots and leaves are stewed meat, fish or vegetable dishes, finely chopped in omelettes
steam-distilled fragrant essential oil, used to freshen cupboards, deter clothes moths, and in baths, herbal remedy, soothes damaged skin, Mediterranean region.
Curry Plant , Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Hieracium
Hieracium auranticum, orange hawkweed, grim the collier, fox and cubs, dense terminal cluster of up to 6 orange flowers, former herbal medicine, ornamental,
France
Hieracium pilosella, mouse-ear hawkweed, perennial, hardy plant, groundcover, yellow flowers, rosettes of leaves shaped like a mouse, covered with
star-shaped branched hairs, leaves in salads, yellow flowers | Umbelliferone | former herbal medicine, astringent, antibiotic properties, ornamental, Europe.
Inula
Inula helenium, elecampane, 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 sold as root.
Lactuca
Lactuca sativa, lettuce, salad lettuce, great wild lettuce | Lactucopicrin | herbal medicine, salad vegetable, Asteraceae.
Lactuca serriola, prickly letttuce, compass plant, upper leaves twist upright, scarole | Lactucopicrin | strange odour, weed of orchards and fields,
herbal medicine, Asteraceae.
Lactuca virosa, wild lettuce | Lactucin | herbal medicine, "lettuce opium", tall lettuce, great lettuce, sedative, analgesic, painkiller, Asteraceae.
Leucanthemum
Leucanthemum x superbum, shasta daisy, garden plant, possibly unpleasant odour, Asteraceae.
Liatris
Liatris spicata, gay feather, blazing star, button snakeroot, perennial, herbal medicine, North America, Asteraceae.
Matricaria
Matricaria chamomilla, chamomile, "camomile", German chamomile, the usual source of the herb chamomile, annual, raised from seed
self-sews drought-tolerant, up to 60 cm, multi-branched, feathery foliage, white and yellow small "daisy" flowers with apple-like fragrance
dried flowers for camomile tea | Apigenin | Bisabolol | Chamazulene | α-bisabol oxides A and B | Spathulenol | Farnesene | Luteolin | herbal medicine
anti-inflammatory, chamomile tea used to treat acne, coughs, colds, gingivitis, headache temporary relief, hives, infant colic, indigestion, irritability
insommnia, anxiety, phobias, morning sickness, period pain, skin problems, teething problems, Asteraceae.
See diagram: Chamomile flowers.
German Chamomile , Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below Description.
Dried Chamomile sold as flowers heads , Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Dried herb sold as flowers , Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Onopordum
Onopordum acanthium, Scotch thistle, down thistle, cotton thistle, ornamental, herbal medicine, (emblem of Scotland), Asteraceae.
Petasites
Petasites fragrans, winter heliotrope, widespread winter plant, large leaves with teeth, deep rhizome, erect pink flower heads
sweet-scented, winter-flowering ornamental, herbal medicine, invasive, Mediterranean region, Asteraceae.
Petasites hybridus, butterbur, common butterburr, bog rhubarb, devil's hat, up to 120 cm, large round leaves up to 70 cm, pink multiple inflorescences | Petasin |
traditional medicine, infections, allergies, anti-inflammatory, possible treatment of migraine, allergic rhinitis, Europe, Asteraceae.
Polymnia
Polymnia sonchifolia, yacón, apple of the earth, Peruvian ground apple, perennial, daisy-like, sweet tuberous roots | Inulin | Colombia, Asteraceae.
Yacon , Daleys Fruit Trees.
Porophyllum
Porophyllum ruderale, Bolivian coriander, pápalo, perennial, hardy plant, up to 60 cm, culinary uses, Mexican herb, herbal medicine, culinary uses, Asteraceae.
Scorzonera
Scorzonera hispanica, black salsify, Spanish salsify, black oyster plant, viper's grass, serpent root, long black taproot is nutritious root vegetable, scorzonera sweet
herbal medicine, Southern Europe, Asteraceae.
(Two other species also called "viper's grass").
Scorzonera laciniata, cutleaf viper grass, biennial herb, massive taproot, pasture weed, readily eaten by stock, Asteraceae.
Santolina
Santolina virens, santolina green, small evergreen shrub, small yellow flowers, aromatic leaves, Asteraceae.
Santolina Green , Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below Description.
Santolina chamaecyparissus, (Lavendula taemina), santolina grey, lavender cotton, cotton lavender, Asteraceae.
Santolina Grey , Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below Description.
Siegesbeckia
Siegesbeckia orientalis, eastern St Paul's-wort, common St. Paul's wort, hardy plant, up to 1 metre, herbal medicine, stomach tonic, anti-rheumatic
skin diseases, cuts, burns, made as a tincture gives a protective covering like a second skin on cuts, Asteraceae.
Solidago
Solidago canadensis, golden rod, Canada golden rod, perennial, deciduous, up to 1 metre, bright yellow flowers
| Linalool | herbal medicine, chew flowers for sore throat, invasive stolons, North America, Asteraceae.
Golden Rod , Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Dried herb sold as root.
Solidago odora, sweet golden rod, fragrant goldenrod, perennial, up to 1 metre, leaves deeper green smelling of anise when crushed
yellow flowers are in one-sided spreading raceme, herbal medicine, stimulant "Blue Mountain Tea", North America, Asteraceae.
Solidago virgaurea, European goldenrod, woundwort, golden rod sorrel, perennial herb, up to 100 cm, woody rhizome
many flower heads at top of stem, herbal medicine, astringent, diuretic, catarrh, kidney stones, garden herb, Hungary, Asteraceae.
Dried herb sold as aerials.
Silybum
Silybum marianum, milk thistle, blessed milk thistle, St Mary's thistle, variegated thistle, stock poison, weed, white markings supposed to be from milk from
Our Lady's breast, salads, herbal medicine, may lower the blood glucose level, affect how other herbs are used by the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system
and may slow calcium metabolism, protect liver from excess alcohol consumption, China, Asteraceae.
Dried herb sold as whole seed or dried fruit and seed powder.
Stevia
Stevia rebaudiana, stevia, sweetleaf, sugar herb, sugar leaf, bertoni candyleaf, perennial, up to 60 cm, if fresh sweetness then aniseed-like flavour but not if dried
best grown in sun, protected from frost, moist, well-drained soil, culinary uses of leaves fresh or dried, natural sweetening properties times sweeter than sugar
said to be the only natural sweetener with zero calories and zero glycemic index, use in drinks, baking, thistle flower heads in salads or herbal tea herbal medicine
low sugar food alternative, glucoside extract is 300 times sweeter than sugar, trade name, "Rebiana", Paraguay, Brazil, Asteraceae.
See diagram: Stevia.
Steviocide, (steviol diterpene from Stevia rebaudiana + glucose --> steviocide sweetener), 250 to 300, e.g. "Stevia". CSR Smart label:
a "pinch" of Stevia added to cane sugar for the "Smart 50% less calories" white sugar blend, India, Paraguay, Asteraceae.
"CSR Smart white sugar blend, 50% less calories, twice as sweet so you use half as much cane sugar with a pinch of Stevia, 99.6% sugar
with a hint of Stevia, same level of sugar sweetener at half the amount.
Half a teaspoon, (2 g), CSR SMART White Sugar Blend, 8 calories, (34 Kj) , One teaspoon, (4 g), sugar 16 calories, (6 Kj).
Stevia rebaudiana , Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below Description.
Dried herb sold as leaves and as leaf powder.
Stevia rebaudiana , Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery.
Tagetes
Tagetes erecta, Mexican marigold, giant African marigold, Aztec marigold, flor de muertos | Lutein | Zeaxanthin | Mexico, Asteraceae.
See diagram: Tagetes erecta.
Tagetes lemmonii, passionfruit marigold, ferny foliage, slight smell, daisy flowers during autumn and winter, Asteraceae.
Tagetes lucida, Mexican mint marigold, cloud plant, Mexican tarragon, Spanish tarragon, sweet mace, sweet marigold, winter tarragon
Texas tarragon, perennial herb, up to 60 cm, easy to grow from seed or cuttings, 30-45 cm high, oblong leaves with toothed edges have fine oil glands
with a distinct aniseed scent and flavour, small yellow flowers in terminal clusters, culinary uses, anise flavour, in savoury dishes, fruit salad, dressings,
herb tea, vinegar tingle taste, tarragon-like flavoured leaves so may be tarragon substitute but used less than French tarragon in recipes, herbal vinegar
medicine, supposed used to anaesthetize Aztec sacrificial victims | Anethole | Estragole | Mexico, Asteraceae.
Mexican Tarragon , Mudbrick Herb Cottage, (Tagetes lucida), See text below Description.
Tagetes minuta, southern marigold, black mint, muster John Henry, stinking roger, khakibos, wild marigold, culinary uses, dry leaves for seasoning, South American
cuisine where sold as "black mint paste", herbal medicine respiratory and digestive problems, South America, Asteraceae.
Tagetes patula, marigold, "small marigold", French marigold, ornamental edging plant, on butterfly farms, herbal medicine, culinary uses, Mexico, Asteraceae.
Tanacetum.
Tanacetum coccineum, pyrethrum daisy, painted daisy, Asteraceae.
Tanecetum gracile | Lavandulol | Chamazulene | Himalayas, Asteraceae.
Tanacetum parthenium, feverfew (Latin febrifuga, fever, fugare drive away), bachelor's buttons, featherfoil, mutterkraut, midsummer daisy, matrem
aromatic perennial, companion plant, bush, up to 60 cm, leaves with citrus smell, daisy-like flowers similar to chamomile, outer florets white, yellow disc florets
| Parthenolide | herbal medicine, fever, arthritis, migraine headache, skin damage but contact dermatitis, febrifuge, acts against Leishmania infection, essential
oil anti-microbial, herbal tea but not for pregnant women because may cause uterine contractions, avoid using with alcohol, bitter taste and chewing leaves
causes mouth sores, may affect platelets ornamental, invasive, Europe, Asteraceae.
Chrysanthemum x morifolium, "Chrysanthemum", (most important hybrid), Asteraceae.
Feverfew , Mudbrick Herb Cottage, (Tanecetum parthenium), See text below Description.
Feverfew - Golden , Mudbrick Herb Cottage, (Tanecetum parthenium 'Aureum'), Asteraceae.
Dried herb sold as aerials , Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Tanacetum balsamita, costmary, alecost, balsam herb, mint geranium, perennial, temperate, up to 40 cm, small button-shaped flowers, sweet
aromatic are leaves pressed for perfumed, bookmarks, dried for fresh leaves in salads, sauces, soups and beverages, used for flavouring ale,
Mediterranean, Asteraceae.
Tanacetum vulgare, tansy, sweet tansy, bitter buttons, bachelor's buttons, golden buttons, perennial, up to 50 cm, companion plant, dried leaves in sachets in cupboards
garden spray, mulch, culinary uses, to
flavour biscuits, Hungary, Asteraceae.
Tansy , Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below Description.
Dried herb sold as aerials.
Taraxacum
Taraxacum officinale, dandelion, pepper bush, piss beds, wet-the-bed, piddley bed, (French dent de lion, lion's tooth, leaves have basal rosette,
toothed, perennial in grasslands, up to 30 cm, bright yellow florets, stems have milky juice, culinary uses, pickled leaves in salads as dandelion greens, steamed,
tea from roasted root, root roasted as coffee substitute | Lactucopicrin | Lactucin | herbal medicine, detoxifies, blood and liver tonic, diuretic, treat rashes, burdock
and dandelion cordial for gout, pasture weed, vegetative reproduction by contractile tuberous roots, stalk cross sections used to show osmotic pressure and
absorbing pressure, stigmas curve back to allow self fertilization, rich in vitamins A, B, C, and minerals, Asteraceae.
A "dandelion clock" is a children's game where the number of puffs needed to blow away all the achenes from the white ball of the seed head, blowball
is supposed to " tell the time".
Dandelion , Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below images.
Dried herb sold as root and as leaf.
Tithonia
Tithonia diversifolia, arla, Mexican sunflower, perennial, up to 1-3 metres, hardy plant, bees love it, white flowers, seed heads used for dried flower arrangements
and painted gold for Christmas decorations, leaves for compost and animal feed, large soft leaves as toilet paper, culinary uses, herbal medicine, Asteraceae.
Tragopogon
Tragopogon dubius, yellow salsify, Asteraceae.
Tragopogon porrifolius, salsify, common salsify, goat's beard, noon flower, jack-go-to-bed-at-noon, vegetable oyster, gladwin, Jerusalem star, purple salsify, erect
stout, purple daisy flowered, hairless biennial, up to 1.3 m, long grass-like leaves and a fleshy taproot, in damp places, milky sap when damaged. edible
taproot has an oyster flavour, environmental weed in Australia, northern Africa, Asteraceae.
See diagram: Salsify.
Tussilago
Tussilago farafara, coltsfoot, coughwort, perennial, up to 30 cm, hardy plant, bees love the yellow flowers | Retronecine | herbal medicine, Asteraceae.
Coltsfoot , Mudbrick Herb Cottage, See text below images.
Dried herb sold as aerials.
Balsaminaceae, Balsam family.
Impatiens
Impatiens walleriana, busy Lizzie, balsam, touch-me-not, snapweed, patience, impatiens, garden balsam, short-lived perenniel, many varieties, colourful red flowers
minor invasive, Eastern Africa, Balsaminaceae.
Impatiens repens, golden dragon, Ceylon balsam, yellow impatiens, perennial, bright yellow, flowers, herbal medicine, skin disorders, Balsaminaceae.
Impatiens balsamina | Lawsone | Syringic acidBalsaminaceae.
Impatiens capensis, jewelweed, spotted touch-me-not, in deep shade and soggy soil, annual but self-sows, glistening foliage, herbal medicine, treat itching, Balsaminaceae.
Policeman's helmet (UK), Impatiens glandulifera, invasive, Balsaminaceae.
Hydrocera triflora, erect, many-branched, semi-aquatic, herbaceous perennial, up to 1 metre tall, used for dye, Southeast Asia, Balsaminaceae.
Basellaceae, Basella family.
Basella
Ceylon spinach , (Basella alba), Basellaceae
Berberidaceae, Barberry family.
Berberis
| Berberine | Capsanthin | Flavoxanthin | Jatrorrhizine | Obaberine | Palmatine |
Berberis aquifolium, (Mahonia aquifolium), Oregon grape, mountain grape, (but is not a "true grape"!), spiny leaflets like holly, herbal medicine
skin diseases, attractive plant, wine from juice, North America, Berberidaceae.
Dried herb sold as root.
Berberis buxifolia, Magellan barberry | Calafatimine | Berberidaceae.
Berberis laurina, espina amarilla | Berberastine | O-Methylthalicberine, (Thalmidine) | Berberidaceae.
Berberis thunbergii, Japanese barberry, Thunberg's barberry, red barberry | Berbamine, (C37H40N2O6), (antihypertensive drug) | Berberidaceae.
Berberis valdiviana, cien, espina en cruz | Cularine | Berberidaceae.
Berberis vulgaris, barberry, European barberry, perennial, up to 2-3 metres, hardy plant, thorny shrub, deciduous, evergreen, yellow wood, racemes
of yellow flowers, red and oblong acidic berries, high in vitamin C | Berberine | herbal medicine, anti-fungal
anti-bacterial, eye drops, high pectin for making jam, alternative host of wheat rust fungus, (Puccinia graminis), New Zealand hedge plant, Europe, Berberidaceae.
Dried herb sold as bark.
Caulophyllum
Caulophyllum thalictroides, blue cohosh, squaw root, papoose root | Baptifoline | herbal medicine, Berberidaceae.
Dried herb sold as root.
Nandina
Nandina domestica, sacred bamboo, heavenly bamboo, (it is not a bamboo Bambusoideae!), perennial, up to 1-2 metres, green / bronze / red ferny leaves
| Berberine | Cyanohydrin, (C14H17NO3) | traditional herbal medicine, can release toxic HCN, Berberidaceae.
Podophylum
Podophylum peltatum, Mayapple, American mandrake, yellow egg-shape fruit, roots poisonous, herbal remedy | Podophyllotoxin | purgative, warts, North America,
Berberidaceae.
Epimedium
Epimedium sagittatum, horny goat weed, barrenwort, bishop's hat, flavonoid glucoside, aphrodisiac, treats erectile disfunction, Vietnam, China, Berberidaceae.
Dried herb sold as aerials.
5.5 Brassicaceae, Mustard family
Brassica
Canola, canola oil, vegetable oil from seeds of Brassica napus, or Brassica rapa or Brassica juncea | < 2% erucic acid | 3-butenyl glucosinolate |
4-pentenyl glucosinolate | 2-hydroxy-3 butenyl glucosinolate | 2-hydroxy- 4-pentenyl glucosinolate | Brassicaceae.
Canola, (Brassica species), Brassicaceae.
Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis, Chinese cabbage, Pekin cabbage, Shanghai cabbage, napa cabbage, ('wombok' Australia), pe-tsai | Glucoberteroin | Brassicaceae.
Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis, bok choy, bok choi, pak choi, pok choi, not form heads, smooth dark green leaf blades, Brassicaceae.
5.6 Bignoniaceae, Trumpet creeper family
Oroxylum
5.7 Bixaceae, Achiote family.
Bixa