AgriNexus Intelligence
Agricultural Knowledge Platform
The canonical source of truth for crops, varieties, diseases, and pests across AgriNexus - every module reads from here instead of duplicating agricultural data.
AgriNexus Intelligence
Agricultural Knowledge Platform
The canonical source of truth for crops, varieties, diseases, and pests across AgriNexus - every module reads from here instead of duplicating agricultural data.
783crops in the registry
783 entries
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Abaca (Manila hemp)
Musa textilis
A banana relative native to the Philippines, grown for the strong leaf-sheath fiber used in marine rope, specialty paper including tea bags, and cordage.
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Abiu
Pouteria caimito
A tropical tree bearing yellow, translucent-skinned fruit with sweet, gelatinous pulp.
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Abyssinian crambe
Crambe abyssinica
An oilseed crop grown for its erucic acid-rich seed oil, used in industrial lubricants and plastics.
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Acai
Euterpe oleracea
An Amazonian palm producing small dark purple berries valued for their pulp, widely used in juices and health foods.
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Acerola
Malpighia emarginata
A small tropical shrub producing a cherry-like fruit exceptionally rich in vitamin C, eaten fresh or processed.
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Achira / Edible canna
Canna indica
Grown for its large starchy rhizome, used for food and starch extraction in the Andes and Southeast Asia.
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Achocha
Cyclanthera pedata
An Andean climbing vine grown for its hollow, spiny fruit, eaten cooked or stuffed.
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Ackee
Blighia sapida
A tropical tree bearing a fruit whose ripened, opened aril is cooked as a food; unripe or unopened fruit is toxic.
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Adzuki bean
Vigna angularis
An annual pulse grown primarily in East Asia for its small red seeds, commonly used in sweet pastes and desserts.
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African breadfruit
Treculia africana
A West and Central African forest tree whose large fruit contains edible
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African grape (raisin tree)
Lannea microcarpa
A West African savanna tree bearing small edible fruit often dried like raisins.
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African horned cucumber (Kiwano)
Cucumis metuliferus
An African vine producing spiny orange fruit with jelly-like green flesh, eaten fresh.
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African locust bean
Parkia biglobosa
A leguminous tree of West African savannas whose seeds are fermented into a protein-rich condiment (dawadawa/iru).
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African Mango
Irvingia gabonensis
Tree native to West and Central Africa, cultivated for its fruit and oil-rich seed kernels, known as dika nut, used to thicken soups and produce oil.
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African marigold
Tagetes erecta
Annual herb cultivated for cut flowers, garlands, and ornamental bedding, and also for extraction of marigold pigment.
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African nightshade
Solanum scabrum
Leafy vegetable widely grown in sub-Saharan Africa for its edible leaves, cooked as a potherb.
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African pear (safou)
Dacryodes edulis
A Central and West African tree producing an oily, plum-like fruit that is typically roasted or boiled before eating.
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African rice
Oryza glaberrima
A rice species independently domesticated in West Africa, distinct from Asian rice.
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African star apple
Chrysophyllum albidum
A West African forest tree producing a sweet-tart fruit with star-patterned seed cavities
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African star grass
Cynodon nlemfuensis
Vigorous high-yielding perennial pasture grass grown for grazing in the tropics.
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African walnut
Tetracarpidium conophorum
A West African climbing tree cultivated for its edible
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African wild lettuce
Launaea taraxacifolia
Leafy vegetable native to West Africa with dandelion-like leaves, eaten cooked or raw.
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African yam bean
Sphenostylis stenocarpa
A West African legume grown for both its edible seeds and tuberous roots.
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Agarwood
Aquilaria malaccensis
Tree cultivated in plantations across Southeast Asia for its resin-infused heartwood, highly valued in perfumery and traditional medicine.
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Ahipa
Pachyrhizus ahipa
An Andean legume grown for its edible tuberous root, similar in use to jicama.
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Aibika
Abelmoschus manihot
A leafy hibiscus relative grown as a green vegetable in the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.
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Aidan tree
Tetrapleura tetraptera
A West African tree whose aromatic, ridged seed pods (prekese) are used as a food seasoning and traditional remedy.
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Air potato
Dioscorea bulbifera
Yam species that produces edible aerial bulbils above ground in addition to underground tubers.
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Aji chili
Capsicum baccatum
South American chili pepper species grown for its fruity, moderately hot fruits.
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Ajwain
Trachyspermum ammi
Annual herb whose small pungent seeds, tasting of thyme, are used as a spice in South Asian cooking.
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Alfalfa (lucerne)
Medicago sativa
A perennial forage legume grown extensively for hay, silage, and grazing due to its high protein content and deep root system.
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Allspice
Pimenta dioica
Evergreen tree whose dried unripe berries taste of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg combined.
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Almond
Prunus dulcis
A stone fruit tree cultivated for its edible kernel (the almond nut) rather than the fleshy fruit.
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Aloe Vera
Aloe vera
Succulent whose leaf gel is widely used topically for skin conditions and in cosmetics, and commercially cultivated across arid and subtropical regions.
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Alsike clover
Trifolium hybridum
A perennial forage legume grown for hay and pasture, notably more tolerant of wet and acidic soils than red clover.
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Ambarella
Spondias dulcis
A tropical tree, also called golden apple, producing oval fruit with crisp, tangy-sweet flesh.
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American black nightshade
Solanum americanum
A nightshade species whose young leaves are consumed as a cooked leafy vegetable in parts of the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
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American chestnut
Castanea dentata
A once-dominant North American tree producing edible nuts, now rare in the wild due to chestnut blight.
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American Ginseng
Panax quinquefolius
North American relative of Asian ginseng cultivated for its root, used similarly in traditional and herbal medicine.
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American groundnut
Apios americana
A North American vine legume grown for its protein-rich edible tubers, historically an important indigenous food crop.
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American pawpaw
Asimina triloba
A cold-hardy relative of tropical custard apples, native to eastern North America, bearing fruit with sweet, custard-like flesh.
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American persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
A North American tree producing small orange fruit that is very astringent until fully ripe.
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Andean lupin (tarwi)
Lupinus mutabilis
A high-altitude Andean legume grown for its protein- and oil-rich seeds, traditionally soaked to remove bitter alkaloids before eating.
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Andean yam bean
Pachyrhizus tuberosus
An Amazonian and Andean vining legume grown for its large edible tuberous root, similar in use to jicama.
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Angelica
Angelica archangelica
Biennial herb whose aromatic stems and roots are candied or used to flavor liqueurs and confections.
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Anise
Pimpinella anisum
Annual herb whose licorice-flavored seeds are used as a spice and in liqueurs.
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Anise hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
Perennial herb with anise-scented leaves used in teas and as a culinary flavoring.
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Annatto
Bixa orellana
Shrub or small tree whose seeds yield a red-orange dye and mild peppery spice (achiote).
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Annual wild rice
Zizania aquatica
A wild rice species native to eastern North America, closely related to Z. palustris and harvested for grain.
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Anthurium
Anthurium andraeanum
Tropical evergreen perennial grown for its glossy spathe flowers, a major export cut flower from Hawaii and Colombia.
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Apple
Malus domestica
A widely cultivated deciduous tree fruit eaten fresh, cooked, or pressed for juice and cider.
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Apricot
Prunus armeniaca
A stone fruit tree bearing small orange fruit eaten fresh, dried, or preserved.
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Arabian Jasmine
Jasminum sambac
Fragrant shrub cultivated for its flowers, used to scent tea and to produce jasmine essential oil for perfumery.
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Argan
Argania spinosa
Thorny tree endemic to southwestern Morocco, cultivated for its seed kernels, pressed to produce argan oil used in food and cosmetics.
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Arracacha
Arracacia xanthorrhiza
Andean root vegetable with a flavor likened to a blend of celery, cabbage, and potato.
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Arrowhead
Sagittaria sagittifolia
Aquatic plant cultivated for its starchy edible corms, especially in China.
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Arrowleaf clover
Trifolium vesiculosum
Annual reseeding forage legume grown for pasture in warm temperate regions.
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Arrowroot
Maranta arundinacea
Grown for its rhizomes, which are processed into an easily digestible starch.
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Arugula
Eruca vesicaria
Peppery-flavored leafy salad vegetable, also known as rocket.
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Arugula (Rocket)
Eruca sativa
A leafy salad green with a peppery flavor, grown for its edible leaves.
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Asafoetida
Ferula assa-foetida
Perennial herb whose dried resinous sap is ground into a pungent spice used in South Asian cooking.
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Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
Shrub whose root is a major adaptogenic herb in Ayurvedic medicine, increasingly cultivated commercially in India and elsewhere.
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Asian Ginseng
Panax ginseng
Slow-growing forest root crop cultivated mainly in Korea and China, one of the most widely used adaptogenic herbs in traditional medicine.
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Asian pear
Pyrus pyrifolia
A pear species producing crisp, round, apple-like fruit widely grown in East Asia.
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Asparagus
Asparagus officinalis
Perennial vegetable grown for its young edible shoots (spears).
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Astragalus
Astragalus membranaceus
Perennial legume cultivated in China for its root, a widely used tonic herb in traditional Chinese medicine.
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Atemoya
Annona × atemoya
A hybrid between cherimoya and sugar apple producing a knobby-skinned fruit with sweet, creamy pulp.
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Avocado
Persea americana
A fast-growing horticultural export crop (notably Hass), central highlands and Rift Valley are major production zones.
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Azarole
Crataegus azarolus
A hawthorn species cultivated in the Mediterranean for its small apple-like edible fruit.
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Babaco
Vasconcellea × heilbornii
A subtropical highland hybrid related to papaya, producing a seedless, mildly sweet-tart fruit.
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Babassu Palm
Attalea speciosa
Tall palm native to Brazil, cultivated for its seeds, which yield babassu oil used in food and cosmetics.
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Baby's breath
Gypsophila paniculata
Perennial herb producing masses of tiny white flowers, used extensively as filler in cut flower bouquets.
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Bael fruit
Aegle marmelos
A tree bearing a hard-shelled fruit with aromatic, sweet-tart pulp used fresh and as a beverage.
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Balsam pear
Momordica balsamina
A climbing vine grown in parts of Africa and Asia for its young shoots, leaves, and fruit used as a vegetable.
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Bambara groundnut
Vigna subterranea
An African legume that produces its pods underground like peanut, valued for its drought tolerance and complete protein seed.
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Banana
Musa acuminata
A year-round staple and cash crop grown from lowland to mid-altitude zones, both for cooking and dessert varieties.
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Banana passionfruit
Passiflora tripartita
A high-altitude climbing vine producing elongated yellow fruit with sweet-tart aromatic pulp.
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Baobab
Adansonia digitata
Iconic African tree whose young leaves are dried and used as a leafy vegetable and thickener in stews.
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Barley
Hordeum vulgare
A major cereal grain used for malting, animal feed, and food, and one of the earliest domesticated crops.
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Barrel medic
Medicago truncatula
An annual pasture legume widely used in Mediterranean-climate grazing systems and as a model legume in genetic research.
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Bay laurel
Laurus nobilis
Evergreen tree whose dried leaves (bay leaves) flavor soups, stews, and sauces.
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Bee balm
Monarda didyma
Perennial herb with citrus-mint scented leaves and flowers used to flavor teas.
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Beetroot
Beta vulgaris
Grown for its sweet, deep-red swollen root, eaten cooked, pickled, or raw.
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Belladonna
Atropa belladonna
Perennial herb cultivated under controlled conditions as a source of tropane alkaloids used in conventional pharmaceuticals.
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Bergamot orange
Citrus bergamia
A citrus species grown primarily for its aromatic peel oil used in perfumery and flavoring (including Earl Grey tea).
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Berseem clover
Trifolium alexandrinum
An annual forage legume widely grown in the Nile Valley and Mediterranean regions for hay, grazing, and green manure.
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Betel leaf
Piper betle
Vine whose glossy leaves are chewed with areca nut and used as a wrapping spice/flavoring in South and Southeast Asia.
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Betel Nut
Areca catechu
Tropical palm native to South and Southeast Asia, cultivated for its seed, chewed traditionally, often wrapped in betel leaf.
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Bignay
Antidesma bunius
A tropical tree bearing clusters of small, tart berries used fresh and for wine and preserves.
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Bilimbi
Averrhoa bilimbi
A tropical tree producing small, very sour, cucumber-shaped fruit used in pickles, preserves, and cooking.
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Bird plum
Berchemia discolor
A southern African tree producing a sweet
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Birdsfoot trefoil
Lotus corniculatus
A perennial forage legume grown for grazing and hay, valued for its tolerance of poor and acidic soils.
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Biriba
Annona mucosa
A tropical tree producing a soft-spined fruit with sweet, juicy, aromatic white pulp.
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Bitter gourd (Bitter melon)
Momordica charantia
A climbing vine grown for its bitter-tasting fruit, widely used in Asian and African cuisine and traditional medicine.
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Bitter kola
Garcinia kola
A West and Central African tree whose bitter seeds are chewed as a stimulant and used in traditional medicine.
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Bitter leaf
Vernonia amygdalina
African shrub whose bitter leaves are washed and cooked as a leafy vegetable and used medicinally.
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Bitter orange
Citrus aurantium
A citrus species bearing sour, bitter fruit used for marmalade, essential oils, and rootstock.
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Bitter vetch
Vicia ervilia
An ancient pulse crop grown for its seeds, used mainly as livestock feed and, after processing, for human food.
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Bitter yam
Dioscorea dumetorum
Tuber crop requiring processing to remove bitter alkaloids before consumption, grown in West and Central Africa.
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Black chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa
A North American shrub producing astringent dark purple berries, used mainly in juices and processed foods for their antioxidants.
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Black cumin (nigella)
Nigella sativa
Annual herb whose small black seeds are used as a peppery spice in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking.
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Black fonio
Digitaria iburua
A minor West African cereal closely related to white fonio, grown mainly in Nigeria, Togo, and Benin.
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Black gram
Vigna mungo
An annual pulse crop grown mainly in South Asia for its black seeds, used to make dal and fermented foods like idli and dosa batter.
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Black mulberry
Morus nigra
A tree producing sweet, dark, blackberry-like aggregate fruit eaten fresh or dried.
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Black mustard
Brassica nigra
A crop grown mainly for its small dark seeds, used to produce table mustard and mustard oil.
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Black nightshade
Solanum nigrum
Eurasian and African nightshade species whose ripe berries are toxic but young leaves are traditionally cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
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Black oat
Avena strigosa
A minor oat species grown mainly as a cover crop and forage, and historically for grain in Europe and South America.
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Black pepper
Piper nigrum
Woody perennial vine whose dried unripe fruit (peppercorns) is the world's most widely traded spice.
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Black plum
Vitex doniana
A widespread African tree producing a dark
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Black raspberry
Rubus occidentalis
A North American cane fruit species producing dark purple-black berries, distinct from blackberry.
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Black sapote
Diospyros nigra
A tropical tree, sometimes called chocolate pudding fruit, producing a green-skinned fruit that ripens to dark, sweet, custard-like pulp.
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Black walnut
Juglans nigra
A North American tree producing a strongly flavored edible nut inside a hard, thick shell.
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Blackberry
Rubus fruticosus
A thorny cane fruit shrub (species aggregate) producing dark aggregate berries eaten fresh or processed.
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Blackcurrant
Ribes nigrum
A shrub producing dark, tart, vitamin C-rich berries used in juices, preserves, and cordials.
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Blackthorn (sloe)
Prunus spinosa
A thorny shrub bearing small astringent blue-black fruit used for sloe gin and preserves.
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Blue agave
Agave tequilana
A succulent native to Mexico whose sugar-rich core (piña) is harvested and fermented to produce tequila.
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Borage
Borago officinalis
Annual herb with cucumber-flavored leaves and flowers used as a culinary garnish.
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Bottle gourd
Lagenaria siceraria
A climbing vine grown for its large fruit, eaten young as a vegetable and dried mature for use as containers.
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Bowstring hemp
Sansevieria trifasciata
A succulent plant whose tough leaf fiber has traditionally been used for bowstrings, cordage, and matting.
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Brahmi
Bacopa monnieri
Creeping wetland herb cultivated for use in Ayurvedic preparations traditionally associated with cognitive support.
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Brazil Nut
Bertholletia excelsa
Large tree native to the Amazon rainforest, producing large seed pods each containing numerous oil-rich edible nuts.
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Breadfruit
Artocarpus altilis
A large tropical tree producing a starchy, carbohydrate-rich fruit traditionally cooked as a staple food.
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Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
Cole crop grown for its edible immature flower heads and stalks.
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Broccoli rabe (Rapini)
Brassica rapa subsp. sylvestris
A leafy crop grown for its edible stems, leaves, and small broccoli-like buds, with a slightly bitter flavor.
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Browntop millet
Urochloa ramosa
A fast-maturing minor millet grown in India and the southern United States for grain and forage.
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Brussels sprouts
Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Cole crop grown for its small, edible axillary buds that resemble miniature cabbages.
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Buckwheat
Fagopyrum esculentum
A short-season pseudocereal grown for its triangular seeds, used for flour and groats.
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Buffalo gourd
Cucurbita foetidissima
A drought-tolerant perennial vine native to North America, historically used for its starchy roots and oil-rich seeds.
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Buffalo thorn
Ziziphus mucronata
A widespread African savanna tree with small edible fruit
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Buffel grass
Cenchrus ciliaris
Drought-tolerant perennial grass widely used for pasture on arid and semi-arid rangelands.
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Burdock
Arctium lappa
Biennial herb cultivated for its long root, used as a vegetable in East Asia and in traditional herbal medicine.
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Butternut
Juglans cinerea
Deciduous tree native to eastern North America, cultivated historically for its oily, sweet edible nut.
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Butternut squash
Cucurbita moschata
A vining winter squash valued for dense, sweet flesh and good storage life.
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Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
One of the most widely grown vegetables in Kenya's highland horticulture belt, a short-cycle cash crop for smallholders.
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Cacao
Theobroma cacao
A tropical understory tree whose seeds, fermented and dried, are the raw material for chocolate.
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Calabash nutmeg
Monodora myristica
Tree whose aromatic seeds are used as a nutmeg substitute spice in West African cooking.
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Calliandra
Calliandra calothyrsus
A fast-growing leguminous shrub grown for fodder, fuelwood, and soil improvement in agroforestry systems.
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Camas
Camassia quamash
A North American indigenous perennial bulb historically harvested and pit-roasted as a staple carbohydrate food by Native peoples.
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Camelina (Gold-of-pleasure)
Camelina sativa
An ancient oilseed crop grown for its seed oil, used in food, animal feed, and biofuel.
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Camu camu
Myrciaria dubia
An Amazonian shrub producing a small, very sour, vitamin-C-rich berry used mainly for juice and supplements.
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Canary seed
Phalaris canariensis
A cereal grown mainly for birdseed, with a growing market for human food use.
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Candlenut
Aleurites moluccanus
Tropical tree native to Indo-Malaysia, cultivated for its oil-rich seeds used in cooking and traditionally burned as candles.
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Canistel
Pouteria campechiana
A tropical tree, also called egg fruit, bearing orange-yellow fruit with a dry, custard-like, egg-yolk-textured pulp.
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Cape Aloe
Aloe ferox
Large aloe species native to southern Africa, cultivated and harvested for its bitter leaf sap (used as a laxative) and gel.
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Cape gooseberry
Physalis peruviana
Husk-fruited plant grown for its sweet-tart orange berries, used fresh, dried, and in preserves.
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Caper
Capparis spinosa
Spiny shrub whose pickled flower buds (capers) are used as a piquant culinary condiment.
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Caraway
Carum carvi
Biennial herb whose aromatic seeds flavor breads, cheeses, and spirits.
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Cardoon
Cynara cardunculus
Thistle-like vegetable grown for its edible leaf stalks, related to the globe artichoke.
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Carnation
Dianthus caryophyllus
Perennial herbaceous plant grown as one of the major global cut flower crops, prized for durability in transport.
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Carob
Ceratonia siliqua
An evergreen leguminous tree grown for its sweet edible pods, used as a food, sweetener, and chocolate substitute.
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Carrot
Daucus carota
Grown for its edible taproot, one of the most widely consumed root vegetables.
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Cashew
Anacardium occidentale
A tropical tree best known for its kidney-shaped nut, borne beneath a fleshy, astringent-sweet cashew apple also used fresh and in juice.
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Cassabanana
Sicana odorifera
A vigorous vine native to South America grown for its large, fragrant fruit used fresh or in preserves.
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Cassava
Manihot esculenta
A drought-tolerant root crop and food-security staple, especially in western Kenya and the coast.
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Castor Bean
Ricinus communis
Fast-growing shrub or small tree cultivated for its seeds, which yield castor oil used in industrial, medicinal, and cosmetic applications.
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Cauliflower
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Cole crop grown for its dense, edible white (or colored) immature flower head (curd).
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Ceara rubber
Manihot glaziovii
A tree related to cassava, native to Brazil, historically tapped for latex as a source of natural rubber.
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Celeriac
Apium graveolens var. rapaceum
Grown for its swollen, celery-flavored root bulb.
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Celery
Apium graveolens
Vegetable grown for its crisp leaf stalks, used raw or cooked.
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Cempedak
Artocarpus integer
A tropical tree closely related to jackfruit, producing an aromatic fruit with sweet, custard-like segments.
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Centro
Centrosema pubescens
A vigorous climbing forage legume used for pasture, cover cropping, and soil improvement in the tropics.
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Century plant
Agave americana
A large succulent used for fiber, and whose sap is fermented into the traditional Mexican beverage pulque.
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Ceriman
Monstera deliciosa
A climbing tropical plant producing an elongated fruit that develops a sweet, pineapple-banana-like flavor when fully ripe.
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Ceylon gooseberry
Dovyalis hebecarpa
A shrub producing small, fuzzy, deep red, tart berries used mainly for preserves and jelly.
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Chachafruto (basul)
Erythrina edulis
An Andean leguminous tree grown for its large, starchy edible seeds, typically cooked before eating.
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Chaya
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius
Central American shrub grown for its nutrient-dense leaves, which must be cooked before eating to remove toxic compounds.
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Chayote
Sechium edule
A perennial climbing vine grown for its pear-shaped fruit, also valued for edible shoots, leaves, and tuberous roots.
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Cherimoya
Annona cherimola
A subtropical tree producing a heart-shaped fruit with sweet, custard-like flesh often compared to a blend of tropical fruit flavors.
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Cherry of the Rio Grande
Eugenia aggregata
A Brazilian shrub producing small, dark red, cherry-like fruit with a sweet-tart flavor.
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Cherry plum
Prunus cerasifera
A small stone fruit tree producing round, cherry-sized plums, also used as an ornamental and rootstock.
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Chervil
Anthriscus cerefolium
Delicate annual herb with a mild anise-parsley flavor used in French cuisine.
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Chia
Salvia hispanica
A flowering plant grown for its small, oil- and mucilage-rich seeds, consumed as a whole-grain-like food.
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Chickling pea (red pea)
Lathyrus cicera
A hardy pulse crop grown for its edible seeds, used for food and livestock feed, mainly in Mediterranean regions.
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Chickpea
Cicer arietinum
An annual pulse crop grown for its protein-rich seeds, used widely in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian cuisines.
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Chicory
Cichorium intybus
Leafy vegetable grown for salad leaves or blanched heads (Belgian endive); roots also used as a coffee substitute.
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Chili pepper
Capsicum frutescens
Pungent chili pepper species including tabasco and bird's-eye types, grown for its small hot fruits.
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Chinese artichoke / Crosne
Stachys affinis
Grown for its small, knobbly, crisp white tubers.
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Chinese broccoli (Kai-lan)
Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra
A leafy crop grown for its thick stems, leaves, and small flower clusters, popular in East Asian cuisine.
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Chinese hawthorn
Crataegus pinnatifida
A hawthorn species widely grown in China for its tart red fruit, used fresh, dried, and in candied snacks.
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Chinese milk vetch
Astragalus sinicus
An annual legume widely used in East Asia as green manure and forage to improve soil fertility.
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Chinese Rhubarb
Rheum palmatum
Large perennial cultivated in China for its root, used in traditional medicine as a digestive and laxative remedy.
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Chinese spinach
Amaranthus tricolor
Leaf amaranth grown for its tender, often multicolored leaves used as a cooked green in Asian cuisine.
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Chinese toon
Toona sinensis
Tree whose aromatic young leaves and shoots are harvested as a seasonal leafy vegetable in East Asia.
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Chinese yam / Nagaimo
Dioscorea polystachya
Long slender tuber eaten cooked or raw, widely cultivated across East Asia.
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Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Herb grown for its thin hollow leaves, used fresh as a mild onion-flavored seasoning.
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Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum x morifolium
Perennial flowering plant widely cultivated as a cut flower and potted plant, valued for its long vase life and diverse forms.
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Cilantro
Coriandrum sativum
Grown for its aromatic leaves, used fresh as a leafy garnish and vegetable, and for its seeds used as the spice coriander.
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Cinchona
Cinchona officinalis
A South American Andean tree whose bark contains quinine and other alkaloids, historically the primary natural source of antimalarial medicine and also used to flavor tonic water.
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Citron
Citrus medica
An early cultivated citrus species grown mainly for its thick aromatic rind, candied or used ceremonially.
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Citronella Grass
Cymbopogon nardus
Aromatic grass cultivated primarily for citronella essential oil, used as a natural insect repellent.
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Cloudberry
Rubus chamaemorus
A low-growing arctic and subarctic shrub producing amber-colored berries, prized in Nordic cuisine.
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Coca
Erythroxylum coca
A shrub native to the Andes and western South America whose leaves contain stimulant alkaloids; leaves are traditionally chewed or brewed as tea, and industrially processed for flavoring and pharmaceutical alkaloid extraction.
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Coconut
Cocos nucifera
A tall tropical palm cultivated for its large fruit, used for its water, flesh, oil, and fiber.
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Cocoplum
Chrysobalanus icaco
A shrub found in coastal and wetland tropical areas producing a small, mildly sweet plum-like fruit.
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Coffee
Coffea arabica
A tropical shrub cultivated for its seeds (coffee beans), one of the most widely traded agricultural commodities.
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Collard greens
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
Cole crop grown for its large, flat, non-heading edible leaves.
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Colocynth (Bitter apple)
Citrullus colocynthis
A desert vine producing small bitter fruit used medicinally and as breeding/rootstock material; not eaten fresh due to toxicity.
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Comfrey
Symphytum officinale
Perennial herb cultivated for its leaves and root, used traditionally in topical preparations for skin and muscle care.
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Common bamboo
Bambusa vulgaris
A widely cultivated clumping bamboo species used for construction material, furniture, handicrafts, and erosion control.
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Common bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
The dominant grain legume in Kenya, usually intercropped with maize; a key source of dietary protein.
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Common mallow
Malva sylvestris
Wild and cultivated mallow whose tender leaves are cooked as a mucilaginous leafy vegetable, especially in the Mediterranean and Middle East.
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Common vetch
Vicia sativa
An annual legume grown mainly as forage, green manure, and cover crop, with edible seeds used for animal feed.
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Concord grape
Vitis labrusca
A North American grape species grown for fresh eating, juice, and jams, with a distinctive musky flavor.
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Congo jute (Aramina)
Urena lobata
A shrubby plant grown in parts of Africa, Asia, and South America for its bast fiber, used as a jute substitute in sacking and cordage.
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Cork oak
Quercus suber
An evergreen oak of the western Mediterranean whose thick bark is periodically harvested as cork, used for bottle stoppers and insulation.
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Corn salad
Valerianella locusta
Small-leaved winter salad green, also called mache or lamb's lettuce.
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Cornelian cherry
Cornus mas
A large shrub or small tree producing tart, cherry-like red drupes used in preserves and syrups.
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Cotton
Gossypium hirsutum
A historically important fibre crop in the lowland cotton zones (Nyanza, Coast, Eastern), currently a revival focus.
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Cowpea
Vigna unguiculata
A widely grown pulse cultivated for its edible seeds, pods, and leaves, especially important in African subsistence and commercial agriculture.
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Crabgrass millet
Digitaria sanguinalis
A minor cereal historically cultivated in parts of Europe and Asia for its small grains, though regarded as a weed elsewhere.
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Cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon
A trailing shrub native to North American bogs, producing tart red berries used in juice and sauces.
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Cranberry hibiscus
Hibiscus acetosella
Ornamental-edible hibiscus grown for its tart, reddish leaves used as a leafy vegetable and garnish.
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Crimson clover
Trifolium incarnatum
An annual forage and cover crop legume grown for its rapid growth, nitrogen fixation, and ornamental crimson flowers.
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Crowberry
Empetrum nigrum
A low evergreen shrub of northern and alpine regions producing small black berries.
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Cubeb pepper
Piper cubeba
Climbing vine whose dried unripe berries (tailed pepper) are used as a spice and in traditional medicine.
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Cucamelon (Mexican sour gherkin)
Melothria scabra
A small-vined crop native to Mexico and Central America grown for its grape-sized fruit resembling miniature watermelons with a tangy cucumber flavor.
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Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
A vining crop grown for its immature fruit, eaten fresh, pickled, or in salads.
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Culantro
Eryngium foetidum
Biennial herb with a strong cilantro-like flavor used in Caribbean and Southeast Asian cuisine.
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Cupuacu
Theobroma grandiflorum
An Amazonian tree related to cacao, producing a large fruit with tangy, aromatic pulp used in juices and desserts.
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Curry leaf
Murraya koenigii
Small tree whose aromatic leaves are a staple flavoring in South Indian cooking.
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Cush-cush yam
Dioscorea trifida
Sweet-tasting smaller yam native to South America and the Caribbean.
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Cushaw pumpkin
Cucurbita argyrosperma
A traditional Mesoamerican squash grown for its large striped fruit, used in cooking similarly to pumpkin.
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Daikon
Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus
A large, mild white root vegetable widely cultivated in East and Southeast Asia and eaten raw, pickled, or cooked.
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Damask rose
Rosa damascena
Shrub whose fragrant petals are used to make rose water and flavor confections and spice blends.
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Dandelion greens
Taraxacum officinale
Leafy vegetable and common weed whose young leaves are eaten as salad greens or cooked.
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Dangshen
Codonopsis pilosula
Climbing perennial cultivated in China for its root, used as a milder substitute for ginseng in traditional medicine.
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Date palm
Phoenix dactylifera
A tall palm cultivated for its sweet, energy-dense fruit, a dietary staple in arid regions for millennia.
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Date-plum
Diospyros lotus
A persimmon relative native to Eurasia, producing small yellow-to-purple fruit eaten fresh or dried.
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Desert date
Balanites aegyptiaca
A hardy African and Middle Eastern tree with edible fruit, oil-rich seeds, and leaves used as a vegetable.
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Digit grass (Pangola grass)
Digitaria eriantha
Perennial creeping pasture grass used for grazing and hay in warm climates.
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Dill
Anethum graveolens
Annual herb whose feathery leaves and seeds are used to flavor pickles and savory dishes.
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Dong Quai
Angelica sinensis
Aromatic perennial herb cultivated for its root, one of the most commonly used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, especially for women's health.
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Doum palm
Hyphaene thebaica
A North and East African palm producing a fibrous
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Durian
Durio zibethinus
A large tropical tree producing a spiky-husked fruit with strong-smelling, custard-like flesh prized in Southeast Asia.
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Durum wheat
Triticum durum
A hard wheat species grown primarily for semolina used in pasta production.
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Easter lily
Lilium longiflorum
Bulbous perennial cultivated as a major cut flower and potted flowering plant, especially for holiday markets.
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Ebolo
Crassocephalum crepidioides
African and Asian leafy vegetable, often semi-wild, with a mild peppery flavor when cooked.
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Edible lily (Yuri-ne)
Lilium lancifolium
Bulb scales harvested and eaten as a vegetable in East Asian cuisine.
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Eggplant
Solanum melongena
Fruiting vegetable grown for its glossy fruit, used in cuisines worldwide.
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Egusi melon
Cucumeropsis mannii
A West African vine cultivated primarily for its oil- and protein-rich seeds, ground into a paste used to thicken soups.
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Einkorn wheat
Triticum monococcum
The most primitive cultivated wheat species, grown on a small scale for specialty flour.
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Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
A shrub or small tree bearing clusters of small dark berries used cooked in syrups, wines, and preserves.
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Elephant apple
Dillenia indica
A tropical tree producing a large, hard, sour fruit used mainly in cooking, pickles, and chutneys.
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Elephant foot yam
Amorphophallus paeoniifolius
Aroid producing a single large corm, cultivated widely across South and Southeast Asia.
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Emmer wheat
Triticum dicoccum
An ancient hulled wheat and one of the earliest domesticated crops, still grown today as "farro."
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Endive
Cichorium endivia
Leafy salad vegetable with curly or broad leaves, related to chicory.
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English walnut
Juglans regia
A large deciduous tree cultivated for its edible nut, widely used fresh, roasted, and in baking.
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Enset (false banana)
Ensete ventricosum
A banana relative native to Ethiopia, cultivated not for its fruit but for its starchy pseudostem and corm, which are fermented into a staple food.
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Epazote
Dysphania ambrosioides
Pungent annual herb used as a culinary seasoning in Mexican bean and corn dishes.
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Ethiopian cardamom (korarima)
Aframomum corrorima
An Ethiopian spice plant related to grains of paradise
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Ethiopian eggplant
Solanum aethiopicum
African eggplant relative grown for both its fruit and its edible leaves.
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Ethiopian mustard
Brassica carinata
East African mustard grown for its leaves, used as a cooked vegetable, and for its oilseed.
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Ethiopian oat
Avena abyssinica
A distinct oat species native to the Ethiopian highlands, often grown mixed with barley.
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European barberry
Berberis vulgaris
A thorny shrub producing small, tart red berries used in preserves and traditional cooking.
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European Beech
Fagus sylvatica
Deciduous forest tree native to Europe, producing small edible nuts (beechnuts) historically pressed for oil.
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European bilberry
Vaccinium myrtillus
A low shrub bearing small dark blue berries, wild-harvested across European woodlands and heaths.
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European crab apple
Malus sylvestris
A wild ancestor species of the domestic apple, valued for small tart fruit used in preserves and verjuice.
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European dewberry
Rubus caesius
A trailing cane fruit species native to Europe, producing dark, wax-coated berries similar to blackberry.
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European pear
Pyrus communis
A deciduous tree producing sweet juicy fruit eaten fresh, canned, or dried.
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European plum
Prunus domestica
A widely grown stone fruit tree producing sweet fruit eaten fresh, dried (prunes), or preserved.
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Evening Primrose
Oenothera biennis
Biennial herb cultivated for its seed oil, used in herbal supplements and traditionally associated with skin and hormonal health.
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Faidherbia (apple-ring acacia)
Faidherbia albida
A leguminous agroforestry tree valued for its reverse phenology, providing shade and nitrogen-rich leaf litter to crops during the growing season.
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False sesame
Ceratotheca sesamoides
West African leafy vegetable related to sesame, grown for its edible mucilaginous leaves.
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Fava bean (broad bean)
Vicia faba
A cool-season pulse crop grown for its large edible seeds and pods, an ancient staple in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian diets.
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Feijoa
Acca sellowiana
A subtropical shrub, also called pineapple guava, producing an aromatic green fruit with sweet, gritty flesh.
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Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum-graecum
An annual legume grown for its aromatic seeds and edible leaves, widely used as a spice and in traditional medicine.
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Feverfew
Tanacetum parthenium
Perennial herb cultivated for its leaves, traditionally used in herbal remedies associated with headache relief.
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Field pennycress
Thlaspi arvense
An emerging oilseed crop grown for its seeds, used to produce biofuel and industrial oil.
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Fig
Ficus carica
A small deciduous tree producing soft, sweet fruit eaten fresh or dried, one of the earliest domesticated fruit trees.
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Fig-leaf gourd (Chilacayote)
Cucurbita ficifolia
A perennial squash grown in cooler highland tropics for its fruit, used in confections and beverages.
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Filbert
Corylus maxima
A hazelnut relative producing an elongated nut, grown commercially and often hybridized with C. avellana.
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Finger lime
Microcitrus australasica
An Australian native citrus species producing elongated fruit filled with caviar-like acidic vesicles.
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Finger millet
Eleusine coracana
A small-seeded cereal native to East Africa and widely cultivated in India, valued for its nutrient density and long storage life.
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Fingerroot / Chinese ginger
Boesenbergia rotunda
Cluster of finger-like rhizomes used as a spice in Southeast Asian cooking.
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Fish mint
Houttuynia cordata
Perennial herb with a pungent, citrus-fish-like flavor used fresh in Vietnamese cuisine.
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Fiveleaf yam
Dioscorea pentaphylla
Minor tuber crop with distinctive palmate leaves, harvested across South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
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Flax/Linseed
Linum usitatissimum
Annual crop cultivated for its seeds, pressed for linseed oil, and its stem fibers used to make linen.
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Fluted pumpkin
Telfairia occidentalis
West African vine grown mainly for its nutrient-rich edible leaves, with seeds also used.
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Forage peanut
Arachis pintoi
Perennial creeping legume used as a ground cover and grazing forage in pastures.
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Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Biennial herb cultivated commercially as a source of cardiac glycosides used in conventional heart medications.
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Foxtail millet
Setaria italica
One of the oldest domesticated cereals, grown across Asia for grain and fodder.
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Freesia
Freesia x hybrida
Cormous perennial hybrid grown for its fragrant, colorful cut flowers used in bouquets.
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French sorrel
Rumex scutatus
Low-growing sorrel species with a tangy, lemony flavor, grown as a perennial salad and cooking green.
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Gac fruit
Momordica cochinchinensis
A Southeast Asian vine producing spiny red fruit prized for its carotenoid-rich aril, used in food and traditional medicine.
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Gamba grass
Andropogon gayanus
Tall perennial tussock grass used for grazing and hay production in savanna regions.
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Garden cress
Lepidium sativum
Fast-growing peppery leafy vegetable, often eaten as a young microgreen or salad green.
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Garden pea
Pisum sativum
An annual cool-season legume grown for its edible seeds and pods, consumed fresh, dried, or processed.
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Garden sorrel
Rumex acetosa
Leafy vegetable with a tart, lemony flavor from oxalic acid content.
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Garden strawberry
Fragaria × ananassa
A low-growing hybrid perennial widely cultivated for its sweet, aromatic red fruit.
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Garland chrysanthemum
Glebionis coronaria
Leafy vegetable grown for its aromatic edible leaves, used in East Asian soups and hot pots.
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Garlic
Allium sativum
Bulb crop used worldwide as a culinary flavoring, valued for its pungent cloves.
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Garlic chives
Allium tuberosum
Leafy allium grown for its flat, garlic-flavored leaves used as a vegetable and seasoning.
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Gboma eggplant
Solanum macrocarpon
West African eggplant relative grown primarily for its bitter, edible leaves and secondarily for its fruit.
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Genip
Melicoccus bijugatus
A tropical tree, also known as Spanish lime, bearing clusters of small green fruit with tangy-sweet pulp around the seed.
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Genipap
Genipa americana
A tropical American tree producing a fruit used fresh, fermented into beverages, and as a source of traditional blue-black body dye.
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Gerbera daisy
Gerbera jamesonii
Herbaceous perennial grown extensively under protected cultivation as a colorful cut flower.
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German Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Annual herb whose dried flowers are used to make a calming herbal tea and in topical preparations; widely cultivated in Europe.
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Gesho
Rhamnus prinoides
An Ethiopian shrub whose leaves and stems are used to flavor and ferment traditional honey wine (tej) and beer.
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Giant bamboo
Dendrocalamus giganteus
One of the largest bamboo species, grown across South and Southeast Asia for heavy construction timber and pulp.
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Giant granadilla
Passiflora quadrangularis
A vigorous vine producing a large passionfruit with mild, sweet pulp, the largest of the cultivated passionfruits.
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Giant swamp taro
Cyrtosperma merkusii
Grown in excavated pits on Pacific atolls for its very large corm, tolerant of brackish conditions.
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Giant taro
Alocasia macrorrhizos
Large-cormed aroid grown for food after thorough cooking to remove calcium oxalate, also used as animal feed.
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Giant taro (Ma)
Colocasia gigantea
Large-leaved relative of taro grown mainly for its edible petioles and corm in Southeast Asia.
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Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Rhizome crop used fresh, dried, or processed as a spice and flavoring worldwide.
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Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
Ancient deciduous tree native to China, cultivated for its edible seeds used in East Asian cuisine after removal of the malodorous outer coating.
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Gladiolus
Gladiolus x hortulanus
Cormous perennial grown for its tall flower spikes, widely used as a cut flower in bouquets and floral arrangements.
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Gliricidia
Gliricidia sepium
A leguminous tree widely used in agroforestry for fodder, green manure, living fences, and shade.
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Globe artichoke
Cynara scolymus
Perennial thistle grown for its large edible immature flower buds.
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Goji berry
Lycium barbarum
A shrub native to Asia producing small red berries, eaten dried and used in traditional medicine.
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Golden Root
Rhodiola rosea
Cold-climate perennial cultivated for its root, an adaptogenic herb used in traditional Arctic and Nordic medicine.
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Goldenseal
Hydrastis canadensis
Woodland perennial cultivated under shade in North America for its root, used in traditional herbal medicine.
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Gooseberry
Ribes uva-crispa
A thorny shrub producing tart to sweet berries used fresh and in preserves, popular in Europe.
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Gotu Kola
Centella asiatica
Creeping herb cultivated in South and Southeast Asia, used in traditional medicine and topical wound-care preparations.
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Governor's plum
Flacourtia indica
A shrub or small tree producing small, plum-like, tart-sweet fruit used fresh and in preserves.
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Grain amaranth
Amaranthus cruentus
A Mesoamerican pseudocereal cultivated for its protein-rich grain.
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Grains of paradise
Aframomum melegueta
West African herb whose peppery seeds are used as a spice similar to black pepper.
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Grains of Selim
Xylopia aethiopica
African tree whose dried fruit pods are used as a peppery, smoky spice.
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Grape
Vitis vinifera
A woody vine bearing berries used for fresh eating, raisins, juice, and wine; the main cultivated grape species worldwide.
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Grapefruit
Citrus paradisi
An evergreen citrus tree producing large, tangy, often bittersweet fruit eaten fresh or juiced.
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Grass pea
Lathyrus sativus
A hardy pulse crop grown for its edible seeds, valued for extreme drought and flood tolerance though excess consumption is linked to a neurological condition (lathyrism).
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Great pignut / Earth chestnut
Bunium bulbocastanum
Grown or foraged for its chestnut-flavored tuber; its seeds are also used as a spice.
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Greater galangal
Alpinia galanga
Pungent rhizome used as a spice in Southeast Asian cuisine.
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Greenleaf desmodium
Desmodium intortum
Perennial tropical forage legume often intercropped with grasses and used in push-pull pest control systems.
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Ground cherry
Physalis pruinosa
Husk-fruited plant grown for its small, sweet golden berries enclosed in a papery husk.
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Groundnut
Arachis hypogaea
A drought-tolerant legume grown for both food and oil, common in western and Nyanza regions.
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Grumichama
Eugenia brasiliensis
A subtropical tree, native to Brazil, producing dark red to black cherry-like fruit with sweet flavor.
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Guar (cluster bean)
Cyamopsis tetragonoloba
A drought-tolerant legume grown for its edible pods and for guar gum extracted from its seeds, used widely in food and industrial applications.
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Guarana
Paullinia cupana
An Amazonian climbing shrub grown for its caffeine-rich seeds, used in energy drinks and beverages.
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Guava
Psidium guajava
A small tropical tree bearing round to pear-shaped fruit with edible seedy pulp, eaten fresh or made into juice, jam, and paste.
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Guayule
Parthenium argentatum
A desert shrub native to the southwestern United States and Mexico whose stems and roots yield a hypoallergenic natural rubber latex.
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Guelder rose
Viburnum opulus
A shrub producing clusters of tart red berries, traditionally used cooked in jellies and sauces.
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Guinea grass
Megathyrsus maximus
Tall perennial tropical bunch grass cut or grazed as high-yielding fodder.
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Guinea millet
Brachiaria deflexa
A minor West African cereal related to fonio, cultivated on a small scale for grain.
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Gum arabic tree
Senegalia senegal
A drought-tolerant leguminous tree tapped for gum arabic, a key ingredient in food and industrial products.
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Habanero-type chili
Capsicum chinense
Chili pepper species known for very hot, aromatic fruits such as habanero and Scotch bonnet.
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Hairy vetch
Vicia villosa
An annual or biennial legume widely used as a cover crop, green manure, and forage due to vigorous growth and nitrogen fixation.
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Hamburg parsley (root parsley)
Petroselinum crispum var. tuberosum
Grown for its edible parsnip-like root as well as its leaves.
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Hardy kiwi
Actinidia arguta
A cold-hardy vine species producing small, smooth-skinned, grape-sized kiwifruit.
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Hausa potato
Plectranthus rotundifolius
A small edible-tuber crop grown in West Africa
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Hausa potato / Frafra potato
Solenostemon rotundifolius
Small tuber crop grown mainly in West Africa.
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Hazelnut
Corylus avellana
A shrub or small tree cultivated for its edible round nut, eaten raw, roasted, or processed.
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Hemp
Cannabis sativa
Annual plant cultivated for its fiber and seeds, the latter pressed for nutritious hemp seed oil.
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Henequen
Agave fourcroydes
A fiber-yielding agave native to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, historically the region's major cash crop for cordage fiber similar to sisal.
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Highbush blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
A deciduous shrub producing sweet blue berries, the main commercially cultivated blueberry species.
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Hoja santa
Piper auritum
Large-leafed perennial herb with an anise-like flavor used to wrap and flavor foods in Mexican cuisine.
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Holy basil (Tulsi)
Ocimum tenuiflorum
Aromatic herb sacred in Indian tradition, used culinarily and medicinally as an herbal spice.
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Honeybush
Cyclopia intermedia
A South African shrub
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Hops
Humulus lupulus
Climbing perennial cultivated primarily for brewing, with its flower cones also used traditionally as a mild sedative herbal remedy.
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Horse gram
Macrotyloma uniflorum
A drought-hardy pulse crop grown in South Asia for its edible seeds, used as food and livestock feed.
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Horseradish
Armoracia rusticana
Grown for its pungent root, grated and used as a condiment.
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Huauzontle
Chenopodium berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae
A domesticated chenopod grown in Mexico for its grain as well as its edible flower spikes and leaves.
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Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla
Deciduous flowering shrub whose large flower heads are grown commercially for cut flower and potted plant markets.
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Hyssop
Hyssopus officinalis
Aromatic perennial shrub used historically as a culinary and medicinal herb.
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Ice cream bean
Inga edulis
A tropical leguminous tree grown for its long pods containing sweet, edible pulp surrounding the seeds, also used in agroforestry.
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Ilama
Annona diversifolia
A tropical tree, important in Mexico and Central America, producing a fruit with sweet, creamy pulp similar to cherimoya.
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Illipe Nut
Shorea stenoptera
Tree native to Borneo, producing seeds that yield illipe butter, a fat used as a cocoa butter substitute.
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Imbe
Garcinia livingstonei
An African tree producing small orange fruit with tangy, sweet-sour pulp.
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Indian barnyard millet
Echinochloa frumentacea
A minor cereal grown in India, prized for its quick maturity and use in fasting diets.
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Indian bay leaf
Cinnamomum tamala
Tree whose dried leaves, tasting of cinnamon and clove, are used as a spice in South Asian cooking.
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Indian Frankincense
Boswellia serrata
Tree tapped for its aromatic resin, used in traditional medicine and incense; increasingly grown in managed plantations.
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Indian gooseberry
Phyllanthus emblica
A deciduous tree, also called amla, producing a sour, vitamin-C-rich fruit used in food and traditional medicine.
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Indian jujube
Ziziphus mauritiana
A tree distinct from common jujube, producing a smaller apple-like fruit widely eaten in South Asia.
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Indian Snakeroot
Rauvolfia serpentina
Shrub whose root is a traditional Ayurvedic medicine and source of the alkaloid reserpine, used in conventional blood pressure medication.
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Irish potato
Solanum tuberosum
A major highland staple and cash crop, with Nyandarua and Meru among the top-producing counties.
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Italian ryegrass
Lolium multiflorum
Fast-growing annual or biennial grass used for forage and short-term pasture.
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Ivy gourd
Coccinia grandis
A perennial climbing vine cultivated in South and Southeast Asia for its small, cucumber-like fruit.
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Jaboticaba
Plinia cauliflora
A slow-growing subtropical tree bearing grape-like fruit directly on its trunk and branches, eaten fresh or made into jam and wine.
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Jack bean
Canavalia ensiformis
A vigorous tropical legume grown for its large edible seeds and pods, also used as green manure and cover crop.
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Jackalberry
Diospyros mespiliformis
A large African savanna and riverine tree producing a small
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Jackfruit
Artocarpus heterophyllus
A large evergreen tree bearing the largest tree-borne fruit, with sweet fibrous flesh eaten fresh or cooked as a meat substitute when unripe.
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Japanese barnyard millet
Echinochloa esculenta
A fast-maturing cereal cultivated mainly in Japan and Korea for grain and forage.
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Japanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica
Vine cultivated in China for its flower buds, a traditional medicinal herb used for fevers and inflammation.
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Japanese plum
Prunus salicina
A stone fruit tree producing juicy, often heart-shaped fruit, widely grown for fresh eating.
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Japanese Torreya
Torreya nucifera
Coniferous tree native to Japan, cultivated for its edible seeds, known as kaya nuts, which are roasted or pressed for oil.
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Japanese yam / Jinenjo
Dioscorea japonica
Wild and cultivated mountain yam with a mucilaginous tuber prized in Japanese cuisine.
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Jaragua grass
Hyparrhenia rufa
Tall perennial savanna grass used for grazing and hay in tropical regions.
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Java cardamom
Amomum compactum
Rhizomatous herb producing small aromatic seed pods used as a regional cardamom spice in Indonesia.
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Java plum
Syzygium cumini
A tropical tree, also called jamun, producing small purple-black fruit with astringent, sweet-tart flavor.
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Jerusalem artichoke
Helianthus tuberosus
Grown for its knobby, inulin-rich tuber.
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Jiaogulan
Gynostemma pentaphyllum
A climbing vine native to Asia, cultivated for its leaves, which are used to make herbal tea.
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Jicama
Pachyrhizus erosus
A tropical legume vine grown primarily for its crisp, sweet edible tuberous root; other plant parts are toxic.
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Job's tears
Coix lacryma-jobi
A tropical grass grown in Asia for its hard, bead-like grains, used as food and for ornamental beads.
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Jojoba
Simmondsia chinensis
Desert shrub native to the Sonoran Desert, cultivated for its seeds, which yield a liquid wax used as jojoba oil in cosmetics.
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Jujube
Ziziphus jujuba
A small tree producing a date-like fruit eaten fresh, dried, or candied.
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Jungle rice
Echinochloa colona
A minor cereal gathered or cultivated in parts of Africa and Asia, closely related to barnyard millet.
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Jute mallow
Corchorus olitorius
Leafy vegetable grown for its mucilaginous leaves, used in soups and stews across Africa and the Middle East (molokhia).
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Kaffir lime
Citrus hystrix
A citrus species grown for its distinctively knobbly, aromatic rind and leaves used in Southeast Asian cooking.
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Kale
Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
A hardy leafy cole crop grown for its curled, nutrient-dense leaves eaten cooked or raw.
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Kañiwa
Chenopodium pallidicaule
A cold-hardy Andean pseudocereal related to quinoa, grown at high altitude for its small seeds.
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Kapok
Ceiba pentandra
Large tropical tree producing seed pods filled with a fluffy fiber used for stuffing, and seeds that yield kapok seed oil.
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Karonda
Carissa carandas
A thorny shrub producing small, tart berries used in pickles, preserves, and juices in South Asia.
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Katuk
Sauropus androgynus
Southeast Asian shrub grown for its tender, nutrient-rich leaves and shoots, eaten as a cooked vegetable.
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Kava
Piper methysticum
Shrub cultivated across the Pacific Islands for its root, traditionally prepared as a calming ceremonial beverage.
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Kei apple
Dovyalis caffra
A thorny African shrub producing small, apricot-colored, tart-sweet fruit eaten fresh or as preserves.
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Kenaf
Hibiscus cannabinus
A fast-growing annual bast-fiber crop related to cotton and okra, used for cordage, paper pulp, and composite fiberboard.
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Kencur / Aromatic ginger
Kaempferia galanga
Small aromatic rhizome used as a spice and in traditional medicine across Southeast Asia.
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Kersting's groundnut
Macrotyloma geocarpum
A minor West African legume that develops its pods underground like Bambara groundnut, grown for its edible seeds.
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Key lime
Citrus aurantiifolia
A small evergreen citrus tree producing small, highly acidic, aromatic limes.
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Khat
Catha edulis
An evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula whose fresh leaves are chewed as a mild stimulant.
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Khorasan wheat (Kamut)
Triticum turanicum
An ancient large-grained wheat species, marketed commercially as Kamut, grown for specialty foods.
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Kikuyu grass
Pennisetum clandestinum
Vigorous creeping perennial pasture grass common in tropical highland grazing systems.
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King of Bitters
Andrographis paniculata
Bitter annual herb cultivated across South and Southeast Asia, used in traditional medicine for colds and fevers.
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King protea
Protea cynaroides
Evergreen shrub bearing large flower heads, the national flower of South Africa and a significant export cut flower.
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Kiwicha (Andean amaranth)
Amaranthus caudatus
An Andean grain amaranth species grown for its edible seeds, also known as love-lies-bleeding.
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Kiwifruit
Actinidia deliciosa
A woody vine producing fuzzy-skinned fruit with green flesh and small black seeds, eaten fresh.
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Kleingrass
Panicum coloratum
Perennial warm-season pasture grass valued for drought tolerance.
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Kodo millet
Paspalum scrobiculatum
A hardy minor cereal grown in India and West Africa, tolerant of poor soils and drought.
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Kohlrabi
Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes
Cole crop grown for its swollen, edible above-ground stem.
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Kokum
Garcinia indica
An Indian tropical tree producing a dark purple fruit whose sour rind is dried and used as a souring agent in cooking.
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Kola Nut
Cola nitida
Tree native to West Africa, cultivated for its caffeine-containing seeds, chewed as a stimulant and used in beverage flavoring.
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Komatsuna
Brassica rapa var. perviridis
Japanese leafy mustard-spinach grown for its tender, mild-flavored leaves.
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Konjac
Amorphophallus konjac
Corm processed into glucomannan flour used for konjac jelly and noodles, grown mainly in East Asia.
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Kudzu
Pueraria montana var. lobata
A fast-growing climbing legume used historically for forage and erosion control, though it can become highly invasive.
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Kumquat
Citrus japonica
A small citrus species bearing tiny orange fruit eaten whole, including the sweet rind.
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Lablab (hyacinth bean)
Lablab purpureus
A vigorous climbing legume grown for its edible pods, seeds, and leaves, and widely used as forage and cover crop.
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Lagos spinach
Celosia argentea
A leafy vegetable widely grown in West Africa, known locally as soko yokoto, valued for its edible leaves.
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Lambsquarters
Chenopodium album
Widespread leafy vegetable and common weed, with spinach-like edible leaves.
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Land cress
Barbarea verna
Cool-season leafy vegetable with a peppery, watercress-like flavor, grown on dry land.
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Langsat
Lansium parasiticum
A tropical tree, also known as lanzones, producing clusters of translucent-fleshed fruit with a sweet-tart taste.
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Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Aromatic evergreen shrub whose flowers are used sparingly as a culinary herb and in spice blends.
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Leek
Allium ampeloprasum
Grown for its thick edible stem formed from overlapping leaf bases.
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Lemon
Citrus limon
An evergreen citrus tree producing acidic yellow fruit used in cooking, beverages, and flavoring.
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Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis
Perennial herb with lemon-scented leaves used to flavor teas and dishes.
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Lemon basil
Ocimum americanum
Aromatic annual herb with citrus-scented leaves used as a culinary flavoring in Southeast Asia.
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Lemon verbena
Aloysia citrodora
Deciduous shrub with strongly lemon-scented leaves used to flavor teas and desserts.
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Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus
Tropical grass whose citrus-scented stalks are used to flavor Southeast Asian dishes and teas.
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Lentil
Lens culinaris
An annual pulse crop cultivated for its small edible seeds, one of the oldest domesticated legumes and a major global protein source.
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Leren
Calathea allouia
A tropical American perennial grown for its small, sweet, starchy tubers, traditionally eaten boiled as a vegetable.
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Lesquerella (Bladderpod)
Physaria fendleri
An emerging oilseed crop native to arid North America, grown for hydroxy fatty acid-rich seed oil used in industrial lubricants.
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Lesser galangal
Alpinia officinarum
Sharper-flavored rhizome used medicinally and as a spice, mainly in China.
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Lesser yam
Dioscorea esculenta
Spiny-vined yam producing clusters of smaller, sweet tubers, cultivated across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
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Lettuce
Lactuca sativa
Widely grown leafy salad vegetable with many head and leaf-type cultivars.
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Leucaena
Leucaena leucocephala
A fast-growing leguminous tree widely used for fodder, green manure, timber, and agroforestry systems.
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Licorice
Glycyrrhiza glabra
A perennial legume grown for its sweet-tasting roots, used as a flavoring and in traditional medicine.
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Lima bean
Phaseolus lunatus
A legume grown for its broad, flat, starchy edible seeds, cultivated as both bush and climbing varieties.
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Lingonberry
Vaccinium vitis-idaea
A low evergreen shrub bearing tart red berries, traditionally wild-harvested in northern Europe.
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Lisianthus
Eustoma grandiflorum
Herbaceous annual/biennial grown as a premium cut flower resembling roses, valued for long vase life.
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Little millet
Panicum sumatrense
A small-grained minor millet cultivated across India for food, valued for its drought tolerance.
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Livid amaranth
Amaranthus blitum
A leafy amaranth species foraged and cultivated as a potherb across Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean.
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Livingstone potato
Plectranthus esculentus
Grown for its edible tubers, a traditional food crop in southern and eastern Africa.
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Long pepper
Piper longum
Climbing perennial vine bearing elongated flower spikes used dried as a pungent spice similar to black pepper.
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Longan
Dimocarpus longan
A subtropical tree closely related to lychee, producing small round fruit with translucent sweet flesh, eaten fresh or dried.
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Loquat
Eriobotrya japonica
A small subtropical evergreen tree bearing clusters of small yellow-orange, sweet-tart fruit eaten fresh.
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Lotus root
Nelumbo nucifera
Aquatic plant cultivated for its crunchy, perforated rhizome as well as its seeds.
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Lovage
Levisticum officinale
Tall perennial herb with a celery-like flavor used in soups and stews.
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Lowbush blueberry
Vaccinium angustifolium
A low-growing, cold-hardy wild blueberry species harvested commercially, especially in northeastern North America.
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Lucuma
Pouteria lucuma
An Andean tree producing a green-skinned fruit with dry, sweet, maple-like flavored flesh, popular as a flavoring.
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Lychee
Litchi chinensis
A subtropical evergreen tree producing small red-skinned fruit with sweet, fragrant translucent flesh.
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Ma Huang
Ephedra sinica
Shrubby herb cultivated in China as a source of ephedrine alkaloids, long used in traditional Chinese medicine for respiratory complaints.
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Maca
Lepidium meyenii
High-altitude Andean crop grown for its nutrient-dense root, consumed as food and in traditional medicine.
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Macadamia
Macadamia integrifolia
A high-value nut export crop grown as both a monocrop and a smallholder intercrop in the central highlands.
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Madagascar Periwinkle
Catharanthus roseus
Ornamental and medicinal plant cultivated as the source of vincristine and vinblastine, alkaloids used in cancer chemotherapy.
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Mahaleb cherry
Prunus mahaleb
A cherry relative grown mainly as a rootstock for other Prunus species and for its aromatic seeds used as a spice.
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Maize
Zea mays
Kenya's staple cereal, grown across nearly every agro-ecological zone; the primary source of calories for most households.
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Malabar Chestnut
Pachira aquatica
Tropical tree native to Central and South America, cultivated for its edible seeds, which can be eaten raw, cooked, or roasted like peanuts.
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Malabar spinach
Basella alba
Vining tropical leafy vegetable with thick, mucilaginous leaves.
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Malay apple
Syzygium malaccense
A tropical tree producing pear-shaped, crimson-skinned fruit with crisp, mildly sweet flesh.
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Mallow raisin
Grewia bicolor
A drought-hardy African shrub producing small
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Mamey sapote
Pouteria sapota
A large tropical tree producing a rough-skinned fruit with sweet, salmon-colored flesh popular in Latin America.
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Mandarin
Citrus reticulata
An evergreen citrus tree producing small, easy-to-peel, sweet fruit; includes tangerine types.
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Mango
Mangifera indica
A widely grown fruit tree in the coastal and eastern lowlands, both for domestic consumption and export.
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Mangosteen
Garcinia mangostana
A slow-growing tropical tree producing a fruit with a thick purple rind and sweet, segmented white flesh, often called the queen of fruits.
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Manna grass
Glyceria fluitans
A semi-aquatic grass historically harvested in Central and Eastern Europe for its small edible grains, known as manna grits.
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Marama bean
Tylosema esculentum
A drought-tolerant southern African legume with edible seeds and starchy tuberous roots, valued as an underutilized food crop.
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Marjoram
Origanum majorana
Tender perennial herb related to oregano, with a milder, sweeter aromatic flavor.
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Marula
Sclerocarya birrea
An African tree producing a tart, vitamin-C-rich fruit traditionally eaten fresh and fermented into beverages.
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Mashua
Tropaeolum tuberosum
Andean tuber crop with a peppery flavor, related to the garden nasturtium.
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Mauka
Mirabilis expansa
A little-known Andean perennial grown for its starchy edible root, historically cultivated alongside oca and ulluco.
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Mauritius hemp
Furcraea foetida
A large agave-like succulent cultivated for its leaf fiber, used for cordage and sacking in parts of Latin America and Africa.
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May chang
Litsea cubeba
Small tree whose lemony-peppery dried fruit is used as a spice and source of essential oil in Asia.
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Meadowfoam
Limnanthes alba
Annual wildflower native to the Pacific coast of North America, cultivated as a specialty oilseed crop valued for its highly stable seed oil.
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Medlar
Mespilus germanica
A small deciduous tree whose fruit is eaten after bletting (softening) past normal ripeness.
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Melon (Cantaloupe)
Cucumis melo
A vining crop grown for its sweet, aromatic fruit, including cantaloupe and honeydew types.
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Mesquite
Prosopis pallida
A drought-tolerant leguminous tree whose sweet pods are ground into flour and used for food and forage in arid regions.
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Mexican grain amaranth
Amaranthus hypochondriacus
A grain amaranth species domesticated in Mexico, historically important in Aztec agriculture.
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Mexican oregano
Lippia graveolens
Shrub whose pungent leaves are used as an oregano substitute in Mexican and Central American cuisine.
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Mexican tarragon
Tagetes lucida
Perennial herb with an anise-tarragon flavor used as a tarragon substitute in warm climates.
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Milk Thistle
Silybum marianum
Thistle cultivated for its seeds, which are processed into extracts traditionally used to support liver health.
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Miracle fruit
Synsepalum dulcificum
A tropical shrub producing a small red berry whose pulp temporarily makes sour foods taste sweet.
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Mitsuba
Cryptotaenia japonica
Japanese leafy herb-vegetable with a mild parsley-like flavor, used fresh and in cooked dishes.
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Mizuna
Brassica rapa subsp. nipposinica
Japanese leafy vegetable with feathery, deeply serrated leaves used in salads and cooking.
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Mocambo
Theobroma bicolor
A South and Central American tree related to cacao, grown for its large pods containing sweet-pulped seeds used in beverages.
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Molasses grass
Melinis minutiflora
Perennial tropical pasture grass with aromatic foliage that helps repel some livestock pests.
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Mongongo Nut
Schinziophyton rautanenii
Tree native to southern Africa, producing an oil-rich edible nut that has long been a traditional food staple.
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Monkey orange
Strychnos spinosa
A southern and eastern African savanna shrub producing a hard-shelled fruit with edible pulp.
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Moringa
Moringa oleifera
Fast-growing tree whose nutrient-rich leaves are widely eaten as a cooked or dried leafy vegetable.
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Moso bamboo
Phyllostachys edulis
A large timber bamboo native to China, the most economically important bamboo species for construction lumber, pulp, and edible shoots.
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Moth bean
Vigna aconitifolia
A drought-resistant legume grown mainly in arid regions of India for its small edible seeds.
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Mountain papaya
Vasconcellea pubescens
A small tree related to papaya, adapted to higher elevations, producing an aromatic fruit typically cooked before eating.
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Mung bean
Vigna radiata
A fast-growing annual pulse grown for its small green seeds, widely used in Asian cuisine including sprouts and dal.
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Muscadine grape
Vitis rotundifolia
A grape species native to the southeastern United States, grown for fresh fruit, juice, and wine.
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Mustard greens
Brassica juncea
Leafy vegetable and oilseed species grown for its pungent, peppery leaves.
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Myoga ginger
Zingiber mioga
Perennial herb whose edible flower buds are used as a mild ginger-flavored spice in Japanese cuisine.
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Myrrh
Commiphora myrrha
Thorny shrub tapped for its aromatic resin, used since antiquity in traditional medicine and incense.
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Naked oat
Avena nuda
A hulless oat species grown mainly in China, prized because the grain threshes free of its husk.
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Nanking cherry
Prunus tomentosa
A cold-hardy shrubby cherry species grown for small tart-sweet fruit and as an ornamental.
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Napa cabbage
Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis
Asian leafy vegetable forming a dense, elongated head, widely used in East Asian cuisine.
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Napier grass (Elephant grass)
Pennisetum purpureum
Tall perennial grass widely cut and carried as fodder or made into silage in tropical regions.
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Naranjilla
Solanum quitoense
Andean shrub grown for its acidic, aromatic orange fruit, used in beverages and cooking.
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Narbon bean
Vicia narbonensis
A pulse crop grown for its edible seeds and as livestock feed, cultivated mainly in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions.
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Narrow-leaved lupin
Lupinus angustifolius
An annual legume grown mainly for animal feed and increasingly for human food due to its high protein seed content.
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Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
Annual plant whose peppery edible leaves and flowers are used as a culinary garnish and pepper substitute.
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Natal plum
Carissa macrocarpa
A South African shrub producing a plum-like, sweet-tart fruit eaten fresh or in preserves.
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Neem
Azadirachta indica
Fast-growing tropical tree native to South Asia, cultivated for its seeds, which yield neem oil used in traditional medicine and natural pesticides.
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New Zealand spinach
Tetragonia tetragonioides
Sprawling leafy vegetable used as a spinach substitute in warm climates.
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Niger Seed
Guizotia abyssinica
Annual oilseed crop native to Ethiopia, cultivated for its small seeds pressed into niger seed oil and used as birdseed.
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Njangsa
Ricinodendron heudelotii
A Central and West African forest tree whose oily seeds are used as a food-thickening spice.
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Noni
Morinda citrifolia
A small tropical tree or shrub producing a pungent, knobby fruit used traditionally in juices and folk medicine.
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Oats
Avena sativa
A widely cultivated cereal grown for human food and livestock feed, notable for its high fiber content.
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Oca
Oxalis tuberosa
Andean tuber crop with a tangy, slightly sour flavor.
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Oil Palm
Elaeis guineensis
Tropical palm native to West Africa, cultivated for its fruit which yields palm oil and palm kernel oil, among the world's most widely used vegetable oils.
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Okra
Abelmoschus esculentus
Fruiting vegetable grown for its immature edible seed pods, used in stews and soups worldwide.
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Olive
Olea europaea
An evergreen tree cultivated for its fruit, used for pressing into oil or curing for table olives.
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Onion
Allium cepa
A high-value horticultural crop grown in irrigation schemes and highland areas alike; Kenya still imports to meet demand.
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Opium Poppy
Papaver somniferum
Annual plant cultivated for its seeds, used in baking and pressed for poppyseed oil, and for latex used in pharmaceuticals.
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Orach
Atriplex hortensis
Leafy vegetable related to spinach, grown for its tender, often colorful leaves.
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Orchard grass (Cocksfoot)
Dactylis glomerata
Perennial cool-season pasture and hay grass with good shade tolerance.
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Oregano
Origanum vulgare
Perennial herb whose pungent leaves are a key flavoring in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine.
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Otaheite gooseberry
Phyllanthus acidus
A small tropical tree producing clusters of ribbed, very sour fruit used mainly in pickles and preserves.
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Oyster Nut
Telfairia pedata
Perennial vine native to East Africa, cultivated for its large seeds, which are oil-rich and eaten roasted.
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Pak choi
Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
Asian leafy vegetable with smooth, spoon-shaped leaves and thick white or green stalks.
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Palmarosa
Cymbopogon martinii
Aromatic grass cultivated for its rose-scented essential oil used in perfumery and traditional medicine.
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Pandan
Pandanus amaryllifolius
Tropical shrub whose fragrant leaves flavor and color rice and desserts across Southeast Asia.
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Papaya
Carica papaya
A fast-growing tropical tree fruit with sweet orange flesh, eaten fresh, in salads (unripe), or processed into juice and papain enzyme.
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Paper mulberry
Broussonetia papyrifera
A fast-growing tree whose inner bark fiber is traditionally used to make paper and tapa cloth across Asia and the Pacific.
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Papyrus
Cyperus papyrus
A tall aquatic sedge native to the Nile basin, historically processed into one of the earliest paper-like writing materials and still used for matting and handicrafts.
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Para grass
Urochloa mutica
Perennial grass adapted to wet and flooded conditions
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Para rubber tree
Hevea brasiliensis
A tropical tree tapped for latex, the primary source of natural rubber used in tires and industrial products worldwide.
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Parsley
Petroselinum crispum
Biennial herb widely used fresh as a garnish and flavoring herb in many world cuisines.
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Parsnip
Pastinaca sativa
Grown for its sweet, cream-colored taproot, with flavor that improves after frost.
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Passion fruit
Passiflora edulis
A vigorous climbing vine producing aromatic fruit with seedy pulp used fresh, in juice, and flavoring.
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Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
Climbing vine cultivated for its leaves and flowers, used in traditional herbal remedies as a calming aid.
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Patchouli
Pogostemon cablin
A tropical shrub whose leaves are distilled for a heavy, musky essential oil widely used in perfumery and cosmetics.
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Peach
Prunus persica
A stone fruit tree producing sweet juicy fruit; nectarines are a smooth-skinned form of the same species.
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Peach palm
Bactris gasipaes
A spiny tropical palm cultivated for its starchy, carotene-rich fruit, typically boiled before eating, and for its edible heart of palm.
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Pearl millet
Pennisetum glaucum
The most drought-tolerant of the major millets
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Pecan
Carya illinoinensis
A large tree native to North America cultivated for its rich, buttery edible nut.
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Pepino
Solanum muricatum
South American shrub grown for its sweet, juicy, melon-flavored fruit, eaten as a fresh vegetable-fruit.
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Peppermint
Mentha x piperita
Hybrid perennial mint with a strong menthol flavor used in culinary and beverage applications.
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Pequi
Caryocar brasiliense
Tree native to the Brazilian cerrado, producing an oily, aromatic fruit used in traditional cooking and for oil.
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Perennial ryegrass
Lolium perenne
Persistent cool-season pasture grass valued for high forage quality and rapid establishment.
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Perennial soybean (glycine)
Neonotonia wightii
A vigorous perennial forage legume used for grazing and pasture improvement in the tropics and subtropics.
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Perilla
Perilla frutescens
Aromatic leafy vegetable used fresh as a wrap and salad green in East Asian cuisine.
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Persian lime
Citrus latifolia
A seedless lime widely grown commercially, larger and more cold-tolerant than the key lime.
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Persimmon
Diospyros kaki
A deciduous tree producing orange fruit eaten fresh when soft-ripe (astringent types) or firm (non-astringent types).
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Peruvian lily
Alstroemeria x hybrida
Rhizomatous perennial hybrid producing long-lasting cut flowers, a major export crop from South America and the Netherlands.
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Pigeon pea
Cajanus cajan
A drought-tolerant perennial shrub legume grown for its protein-rich seeds, widely used in dal and as animal fodder.
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Pignut
Conopodium majus
Wild and foraged plant with a small, nutty-flavored tuber, found across Europe.
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Pili Nut
Canarium ovatum
Tree native to the Philippines, cultivated for its oil-rich edible kernel, eaten roasted or used in confectionery.
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Pillipesara
Vigna trilobata
A minor drought-tolerant legume grown in South Asia for fodder and green manure, with edible seeds.
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Pineapple
Ananas comosus
A terrestrial bromeliad producing a sweet, acidic compound fruit, widely eaten fresh, canned, and juiced.
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Pink peppercorn (Brazilian)
Schinus terebinthifolius
Evergreen tree whose dried red-pink berries are also marketed as pink peppercorns.
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Pink peppercorn (Peruvian)
Schinus molle
Evergreen tree whose dried pink berries are sold as pink peppercorns, unrelated botanically to true pepper.
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Pistachio
Pistacia vera
A small tree cultivated for its edible green seed, eaten roasted and salted or used in confectionery.
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Pitanga
Eugenia uniflora
A shrub or small tree, also called Surinam cherry, producing small ribbed red fruit with tart-sweet flavor.
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Pitomba
Talisia esculenta
A Brazilian tropical tree producing small yellow-orange fruit with sweet-tart, translucent pulp.
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Plantain
Musa × paradisiaca
A large herbaceous plant producing starchy, banana-like fruit that is typically cooked rather than eaten raw.
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Pointed gourd (Parwal)
Trichosanthes dioica
A perennial dioecious vine cultivated in South Asia for its small, oval, edible fruit.
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Polish wheat
Triticum polonicum
A rare wheat species with elongated grains and glumes, historically grown in the Mediterranean and Ethiopia.
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Polynesian arrowroot
Tacca leontopetaloides
Tuber processed into starch, traditionally used across Pacific islands and parts of Asia and Africa.
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Pomegranate
Punica granatum
A shrub or small tree bearing a leathery-skinned fruit filled with juicy, seed-containing arils eaten fresh or juiced.
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Pomelo
Citrus maxima
The largest citrus fruit species, with thick rind and mild, sweet-tart pulp.
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Pongam/Karanja
Pongamia pinnata
Nitrogen-fixing tree native to South and Southeast Asia, cultivated for its seeds, which yield karanja oil used for biodiesel and traditional applications.
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Pongamia (karanja)
Millettia pinnata
A leguminous tree grown mainly for oil-rich seeds used in biodiesel production and traditional medicine.
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Pot marigold
Calendula officinalis
Annual flowering herb whose petals are used as a culinary garnish and mild saffron substitute.
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Prairie turnip
Psoralea esculenta
A North American prairie legume with a starchy edible root, historically an important food for Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains.
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Prickly pear
Opuntia ficus-indica
A spiny cactus producing an oval, sweet fruit eaten fresh, juiced, or made into candy.
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Proso millet
Panicum miliaceum
A short-season cereal grown for human food and birdseed, notable for very rapid maturity.
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Psyllium
Plantago ovata
Annual herb cultivated for its seed husk, a widely used dietary fiber supplement.
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Pulasan
Nephelium ramboutan-ake
A tropical tree closely related to rambutan, bearing fruit with short blunt spines and sweet, firm flesh.
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Pumpkin (Winter squash)
Cucurbita maxima
A trailing vine producing large fruit harvested mature for storage; includes Hubbard and kabocha types.
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Puncture Vine
Tribulus terrestris
Sprawling herb cultivated in some regions for its fruit, used in traditional medicine and herbal supplements.
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Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
North American prairie perennial cultivated commercially for its roots and flowers, used in herbal supplements believed to support immune function.
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Purslane
Portulaca oleracea
Succulent leafy vegetable eaten raw or cooked, also a common edible weed.
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Pyrethrum
Tanacetum cinerariifolium
A daisy species whose dried flower heads contain pyrethrins, natural compounds extracted as a botanical insecticide.
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Quince
Cydonia oblonga
A deciduous tree bearing aromatic, hard, astringent fruit used mainly for cooking into jams and pastes.
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Quinoa
Chenopodium quinoa
An Andean pseudocereal grown for its protein-rich seeds, now cultivated worldwide.
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Radish
Raphanus sativus
Fast-growing root vegetable eaten raw for its peppery flavor.
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Raishan
Digitaria cruciata
A minor millet cultivated in the Khasi Hills of northeastern India for its grain.
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Rakkyo / Chinese onion
Allium chinense
Small elongated bulb, pickled or eaten fresh, popular in East Asian cuisine.
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Rambai
Baccaurea motleyana
A Southeast Asian tropical tree bearing clusters of fruit with sweet-tart, translucent flesh.
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Rambutan
Nephelium lappaceum
A tropical tree bearing small hairy-skinned fruit with sweet translucent flesh, closely related to lychee.
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Ramie
Boehmeria nivea
A perennial shrub yielding one of the strongest natural bast fibers, used in textiles and blended fabrics; native to East Asia.
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Ramps
Allium tricoccum
North American woodland allium harvested for its bulb and leaves in early spring.
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Rapeseed (Canola)
Brassica napus
An oilseed crop grown for its seeds, pressed to produce edible vegetable oil and used for canola meal.
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Rat-tail radish
Raphanus sativus var. caudatus
Radish variety grown not for its root but for its long, slender, edible seed pods, used as a fruiting vegetable.
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Red clover
Trifolium pratense
A short-lived perennial forage legume grown for hay, grazing, and soil improvement through nitrogen fixation.
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Red mombin
Spondias purpurea
A tropical tree, also called jocote, bearing small red to purple plum-like fruit with sweet-tart flesh.
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Red raspberry
Rubus idaeus
A perennial cane fruit shrub producing aggregate red berries eaten fresh, frozen, or processed.
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Redcurrant
Ribes rubrum
A shrub producing translucent red (or white) tart berries used in jellies, sauces, and desserts.
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Rhodes grass
Chloris gayana
Perennial grass grown for grazing and hay
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Rhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarum
Perennial vegetable grown for its edible, tart leaf stalks; the leaf blades are toxic.
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Rice
Oryza sativa
Grown primarily under irrigation in schemes like Mwea; demand consistently outstrips domestic production.
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Rice bean
Vigna umbellata
A minor pulse crop grown in Asia for its edible seeds, often intercropped with rice.
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Ridge gourd (Angled luffa)
Luffa acutangula
A climbing vine cultivated for its ridged, elongated fruit eaten as a vegetable, mainly in South and Southeast Asia.
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Rocoto chili
Capsicum pubescens
Cold-tolerant Andean chili pepper species with thick, hot fruits and black seeds.
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Roman Chamomile
Chamaemelum nobile
Low-growing perennial herb cultivated for its daisy-like flowers, used similarly to German chamomile in herbal teas and extracts.
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Rooibos
Aspalathus linearis
A South African shrub whose fermented leaves are brewed into a naturally caffeine-free herbal tea.
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Rose
Rosa x hybrida
Woody perennial shrub whose hybrid cultivars are the world's leading cut flower crop, grown extensively for export in greenhouses.
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Rose apple
Syzygium jambos
A tropical tree bearing round, pale fruit with crisp flesh and a distinct rose-like fragrance.
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Rose Geranium
Pelargonium graveolens
Aromatic shrub cultivated for its essential oil, used in perfumery, aromatherapy and traditional skin care.
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Roselle
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Grown for its edible calyces, used in beverages and jams, and young leaves eaten as a tart leafy vegetable.
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Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Evergreen woody shrub whose needle-like aromatic leaves flavor Mediterranean dishes.
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Round melon (Tinda)
Praecitrullus fistulosus
A South Asian vine grown for its small, round, immature fruit used as a vegetable.
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Rubber dandelion
Taraxacum kok-saghyz
A dandelion species whose roots contain natural rubber latex, being developed as an alternative rubber source to Hevea.
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Runner bean
Phaseolus coccineus
A perennial climbing bean grown as an annual for its edible pods and seeds, also valued for ornamental flowers.
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Rutabaga (Swede)
Brassica napus var. napobrassica
A cool-season crop grown for its enlarged edible root, a cross between cabbage and turnip.
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Ruzi grass
Urochloa ruziziensis
Perennial tropical pasture grass valued for its palatability and productivity.
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Rye
Secale cereale
A cold-hardy cereal grain used for bread flour, whisky production, and as a cover crop.
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Sacha Inchi
Plukenetia volubilis
Perennial vine native to the Amazon region, cultivated for its star-shaped seed pods rich in oil high in omega-3 fatty acids.
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Safflower
Carthamus tinctorius
Thistle-like annual crop cultivated for its seeds, pressed for a light polyunsaturated oil, and historically for dye from its flowers.
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Sage
Salvia officinalis
Perennial evergreen shrub whose grey-green leaves are a strongly aromatic culinary herb.
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Sago palm
Metroxylon sagu
A swamp-dwelling palm native to Southeast Asia and New Guinea, felled to extract starch from its trunk pith as a traditional staple food.
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Sainfoin
Onobrychis viciifolia
A perennial forage legume grown for hay and grazing, valued for its palatability and bloat-free grazing properties.
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Salak
Salacca zalacca
A spiny, low-growing palm producing fruit with reddish-brown scaly skin and crisp, sweet-tart flesh, known as snake fruit.
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Salsify / Oyster plant
Tragopogon porrifolius
Grown for its pale, tapering root with a subtle oyster-like flavor.
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Sandalwood
Santalum album
Slow-growing tree cultivated for its fragrant heartwood and oil, used in traditional medicine, perfumery and religious rituals.
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Sansho (Japanese pepper)
Zanthoxylum piperitum
Shrub whose dried fruit husks give a numbing, citrusy pungency used in Japanese cuisine.
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Santol
Sandoricum koetjape
A tropical tree producing round fruit with a sweet-tart pulp around the seeds, eaten fresh or candied.
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Sapodilla
Manilkara zapota
A long-lived tropical tree producing brown-skinned fruit with sweet, grainy, malty-flavored flesh.
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Saskatoon berry
Amelanchier alnifolia
A North American shrub producing sweet purple berries similar in use to blueberries.
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Sauwi
Panicum sonorum
A rare, drought-tolerant panic grass domesticated by Indigenous peoples of the Sonoran Desert for grain.
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Schisandra
Schisandra chinensis
Woody vine cultivated in East Asia for its berries, used in traditional medicine as an adaptogenic tonic.
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Scorzonera / Black salsify
Scorzonera hispanica
Grown for its long, black-skinned root with a mild oyster-like flavor.
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Sea buckthorn
Hippophae rhamnoides
A thorny shrub producing small tart orange berries very high in vitamin C, used in juices and oils.
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Sea grape
Coccoloba uvifera
A coastal tropical tree or shrub bearing grape-like fruit clusters used fresh and for jelly.
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Sea kale
Crambe maritima
A coastal perennial vegetable grown for its blanched young shoots, traditionally eaten as a spring vegetable.
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Senna
Senna alexandrina
Shrub whose leaves and pods are cultivated and dried for use as a traditional herbal laxative.
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Serradella
Ornithopus sativus
An annual forage legume grown for grazing and hay, valued for its tolerance of acidic, sandy soils.
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Sesame
Sesamum indicum
Annual flowering plant cultivated since ancient times for its small oil-rich seeds, used whole or pressed into sesame oil.
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Sesban
Sesbania sesban
A fast-growing shrubby legume grown for fodder, green manure, and soil reclamation.
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Setaria grass (Golden timothy)
Setaria sphacelata
Perennial pasture grass grown in tropical and subtropical regions for grazing and hay.
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Shagbark Hickory
Carya ovata
Deciduous tree native to eastern North America, producing a sweet edible nut historically used for food and oil.
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Shallot
Allium cepa var. aggregatum
Onion relative that forms clusters of small, mild-flavored bulbs.
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Shampoo ginger
Zingiber zerumbet
Rhizome with mucilaginous sap traditionally used in hair care and occasionally as a food flavoring, grown across tropical Asia and the Pacific.
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Shea Tree
Vitellaria paradoxa
Tree native to the savannas of West and Central Africa, producing seeds pressed to make shea butter, used in food and cosmetics.
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Shell ginger
Alpinia zerumbet
Rhizomatous perennial whose leaves and flowers are used as a culinary flavoring in Okinawan cuisine.
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Sichuan pepper
Zanthoxylum simulans
Shrub whose dried fruit husks produce the characteristic tingling numbness of Sichuan cuisine.
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Sicklepod
Senna obtusifolia
A legume whose young leaves are used as a cooked vegetable in parts of Africa and Asia; seeds have traditional medicinal uses.
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Signal grass (Brachiaria)
Urochloa brizantha
Perennial tropical pasture grass widely sown for grazing due to its productivity and persistence.
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Silverleaf desmodium
Desmodium uncinatum
Trailing perennial tropical forage legume used in pastures and companion cropping systems.
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Siratro
Macroptilium atropurpureum
Trailing perennial legume used in tropical pastures
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Sisal
Agave sisalana
A succulent rosette plant whose long sword-shaped leaves yield a stiff fiber used for rope, twine, and matting; a major commercial fiber crop in East Africa and Brazil.
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Skirret
Sium sisarum
Historic root vegetable grown for its cluster of sweet, fibrous roots.
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Slender amaranth
Amaranthus viridis
Widely foraged and cultivated amaranth species eaten as a cooked leafy vegetable across Africa and Asia.
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Slenderleaf
Crotalaria ochroleuca
An annual legume whose leaves are cooked and eaten as a traditional leafy vegetable in East Africa.
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Small cranberry
Vaccinium oxycoccos
A trailing Old World bog shrub producing small tart red berries, related to but distinct from the American cranberry.
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Smooth brome
Bromus inermis
Perennial cool-season sod-forming grass grown for pasture and hay.
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Snake gourd
Trichosanthes cucumerina
A climbing vine producing long, slender, often coiled fruit eaten as a vegetable, mainly in South and Southeast Asia.
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Soncoya
Annona purpurea
A tropical tree bearing a large, brownish, spiny-skinned fruit with aromatic, sweet orange pulp.
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Sorghum
Sorghum bicolor
A drought-tolerant cereal important in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) where maize often fails.
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Sour cherry
Prunus cerasus
A smaller tree than sweet cherry, producing tart fruit used mainly for cooking, juice, and preserves.
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Sour plum
Ximenia caffra
A southern African shrub or small tree producing a tart edible wild fruit.
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Soursop
Annona muricata
A tropical tree producing large spiny-skinned fruit with tart, fibrous white pulp used fresh and in juices.
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Soybean
Glycine max
An oilseed legume grown for its protein- and oil-rich seeds, one of the world's most important sources of vegetable protein and oil.
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Spearmint
Mentha spicata
Perennial herb with sweet, mild mint leaves used fresh and dried in cooking and beverages.
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Spelt
Triticum spelta
An ancient hulled wheat species grown for flour, valued for its nutty flavor.
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Spider plant
Cleome gynandra
African indigenous leafy vegetable with a slightly bitter taste, cooked as a potherb.
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Spinach
Spinacia oleracea
Fast-growing leafy vegetable grown for its tender dark-green leaves, eaten cooked or raw.
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Spine gourd
Momordica dioica
A dioecious climbing vine cultivated in South Asia for its small, spiny, edible fruit.
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Spiny amaranth
Amaranthus spinosus
A spiny-stemmed amaranth whose young leaves are gathered and cooked as a vegetable in many tropical regions.
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Spleen amaranth
Amaranthus dubius
Fast-growing tropical leafy vegetable widely consumed as a potherb in Africa and Asia.
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Sponge gourd (Luffa)
Luffa aegyptiaca
A climbing vine grown for its young fruit eaten as a vegetable and its mature fibrous fruit used as a scouring sponge.
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St. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatum
Perennial herb cultivated for its flowering tops, widely used in herbal preparations associated with mood support.
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Star anise
Illicium verum
Evergreen tree whose star-shaped dried fruit is used as a licorice-flavored spice.
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Star apple
Chrysophyllum cainito
A tropical tree producing round, purple or green fruit whose flesh shows a star pattern when cut, sweet and mild in flavor.
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Star fruit
Averrhoa carambola
A small tropical tree bearing translucent, star-shaped fruit with a crisp, juicy, sweet-tart flavor eaten fresh.
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Statice
Limonium sinuatum
Herbaceous perennial grown as a cut flower and popular dried flower due to its papery, long-lasting blooms.
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Stevia
Stevia rebaudiana
A perennial herb native to South America whose leaves contain intensely sweet steviol glycosides, used as a natural low-calorie sweetener.
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Stinging Nettle
Urtica dioica
Perennial herb cultivated for its leaves, used in traditional herbal remedies and as a nutrient-rich food and fiber source.
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Stone Pine
Pinus pinea
Mediterranean pine tree cultivated for its large edible seeds, known as pine nuts, used in cooking.
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Stylo
Stylosanthes guianensis
A perennial tropical forage legume widely used for grazing, hay, and pasture improvement.
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Subterranean clover
Trifolium subterraneum
A self-regenerating annual pasture legume that buries its seed pods, widely used in Mediterranean-climate grazing systems.
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Sugar apple
Annona squamosa
A small tropical tree, also called sweetsop, bearing knobby-skinned fruit with sweet, creamy segmented pulp.
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Sugarcane
Saccharum officinarum
The primary cash crop of the western Kenya sugar belt (Kakamega, Bungoma, Kisumu), feeding regional sugar mills.
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Sumac
Rhus coriaria
Shrub whose dried, ground berries provide a tart, lemony spice used across Middle Eastern cuisine.
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Summer savory
Satureja hortensis
Annual herb with a peppery, thyme-like flavor used in bean and meat dishes.
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Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Grown mainly for cooking oil production; increasingly promoted as a rotation crop with maize.
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Sunn hemp
Crotalaria juncea
A fast-growing tropical legume grown for fiber, green manure, and as a nitrogen-fixing cover crop.
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Sweet basil
Ocimum basilicum
Aromatic annual herb widely used fresh or dried to flavor Mediterranean and Southeast Asian dishes.
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Sweet cherry
Prunus avium
A tree producing sweet fruit eaten fresh, one of the two major cultivated cherry species.
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Sweet chestnut
Castanea sativa
A large deciduous tree producing starchy edible nuts eaten roasted or used in flour and stuffing.
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Sweet cicely
Myrrhis odorata
Perennial herb with anise-flavored leaves and seeds used in European cooking and baking.
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Sweet detar
Detarium microcarpum
A West African savanna tree producing an edible fruit with a sweet
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Sweet granadilla
Passiflora ligularis
A climbing vine producing an orange-skinned passionfruit with sweet, aromatic pulp.
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Sweet orange
Citrus sinensis
An evergreen citrus tree producing the widely consumed sweet orange fruit, eaten fresh or juiced.
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Sweet pepper
Capsicum annuum
Fruiting vegetable species encompassing sweet bell peppers and many mild-to-hot chili types.
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Sweet potato
Ipomoea batatas
A key food-security root crop, particularly the orange-fleshed varieties promoted for vitamin A content.
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Swiss chard
Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
Leafy vegetable related to beet, grown for its broad leaves and often colorful petioles.
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Sword bean
Canavalia gladiata
A tropical climbing legume grown for its large flattened pods and seeds, eaten young or processed after cooking to remove toxins.
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Tamarillo
Solanum betaceum
Small tree grown for its egg-shaped fruit, used as a cooked vegetable and in sauces and preserves.
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Tamarind
Tamarindus indica
A long-lived tropical leguminous tree producing sour-sweet pods used widely as a food souring agent and in beverages.
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Tannia / Yautia
Xanthosoma sagittifolium
Starchy corm crop native to tropical America, widely grown in the Caribbean and West Africa.
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Taro
Colocasia esculenta
Corm crop grown for its starchy underground corm and edible leaves, a staple across the tropics.
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Tarragon
Artemisia dracunculus
Perennial herb with an anise-like flavor used especially in French cuisine.
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Tartary buckwheat
Fagopyrum tataricum
A cold- and altitude-tolerant buckwheat species grown mainly in China, Nepal, and the Himalayas.
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Tasmanian pepper
Tasmannia lanceolata
Australian shrub whose peppery leaves and berries are used as a native bushfood spice.
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Tatsoi
Brassica rapa subsp. narinosa
Asian leafy vegetable forming a flat rosette of dark, spoon-shaped leaves.
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Tea
Camellia sinensis
A major export crop grown on highland estates and smallholder plots alike; Kenya is one of the world's largest tea exporters.
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Teff
Eragrostis tef
A tiny-seeded cereal native to Ethiopia and Eritrea, the staple grain used to make injera bread.
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Tepary bean
Phaseolus acutifolius
A highly drought-tolerant bean domesticated in arid regions of Mexico and the southwestern United States, grown for its small edible seeds.
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Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Low woody perennial shrub whose small aromatic leaves are a staple culinary herb.
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Tiger nut / Chufa
Cyperus esculentus
Sedge grown for its small, sweet, nutty tubers eaten raw or processed into a milky beverage.
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Timothy grass
Phleum pratense
Perennial cool-season grass widely grown for hay and pasture.
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Tobacco
Nicotiana tabacum
An annual leaf crop cultivated worldwide for its cured leaves, the raw material for cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products.
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Toddy palm
Borassus flabellifer
A large palm, also called palmyra palm, cultivated for its fibrous, sweet fruit pulp and sap tapped for sugar and beverages.
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Tomatillo
Physalis philadelphica
Husk tomato grown for its tart green or purple fruit enclosed in a papery calyx, central to Mexican cuisine.
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Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
The most widely grown vegetable crop in Kenya by value, grown both in open fields and under greenhouse/shade-net systems.
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Trifoliate orange
Poncirus trifoliata
A cold-hardy citrus relative bearing bitter, inedible-fresh fruit, used mainly as a rootstock for other citrus.
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Triticale
x Triticosecale
A man-made hybrid cereal of wheat and rye, combining wheat grain quality with rye's hardiness.
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Tropical Almond
Terminalia catappa
Large tropical tree widely distributed in coastal regions, cultivated for its edible kernel resembling almonds.
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Tropical kudzu (Puero)
Pueraria phaseoloides
Vigorous creeping perennial legume used as a cover crop and forage in the humid tropics.
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True indigo
Indigofera tinctoria
A leguminous shrub historically cultivated as the primary source of natural indigo dye.
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Tsaoko
Amomum tsaoko
Rhizomatous herb whose large smoky dried fruit is used as a spice in Chinese cuisine.
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Tuberous pea (earthnut pea)
Lathyrus tuberosus
A perennial legume grown for its small edible tubers, historically eaten in parts of Europe.
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Tulip
Tulipa gesneriana
Bulbous perennial cultivated worldwide for cut flowers and forced potted plants, especially associated with Dutch floriculture.
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Tung Tree
Vernicia fordii
Deciduous tree native to China, cultivated for its seeds, which yield tung oil used in wood finishes and industrial coatings.
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Turkey berry
Solanum torvum
Shrub grown for its small, bitter green fruits used as a vegetable in Southeast Asian and Caribbean cooking.
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Turmeric
Curcuma longa
Rhizome crop processed into the yellow spice and dye used widely in cooking and traditional medicine.
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Turnip
Brassica rapa
Grown for its swollen white-and-purple root, also valued for its leafy greens.
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Turnip greens
Brassica rapa subsp. rapa
Grown for its edible leafy tops, a distinct crop use from the turnip root.
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Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
Perennial herb cultivated for its root, traditionally used as a mild sedative and sleep aid in herbal preparations.
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Vegetable hummingbird
Sesbania grandiflora
A fast-growing leguminous tree whose edible flowers, pods, and leaves are used as vegetables in Southeast Asian cuisine.
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Velvet apple
Diospyros blancoi
A tropical tree, also called mabolo, producing a fuzzy, red-brown skinned fruit with sweet, creamy flesh.
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Velvet bean
Mucuna pruriens
A tropical legume grown for cover cropping, green manure, and forage, with seeds also used medicinally and, after processing, as food.
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Velvet tamarind
Dialium guineense
A tropical tree producing small pods with a dry, tangy-sweet pulp popular as a snack in West Africa.
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Vetiver
Chrysopogon zizanioides
A perennial bunchgrass whose aromatic roots are distilled for essential oil used in perfumery, and widely planted for soil erosion control.
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Victory onion / Alpine leek
Allium victorialis
Broad-leaved allium foraged and cultivated for its bulb and leaves in East Asia.
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Vietnamese coriander
Persicaria odorata
Semi-aquatic perennial herb with a peppery coriander-like flavor used in Southeast Asian cuisine.
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Wasabi
Eutrema japonicum
A semi-aquatic perennial native to Japan, grown for its pungent rhizome used as a condiment.
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Water chestnut
Eleocharis dulcis
Sedge cultivated in flooded paddies for its crisp, sweet edible corm.
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Water spinach
Ipomoea aquatica
Semi-aquatic leafy vegetable with hollow stems, widely grown in Asia in wet or flooded fields.
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Water yam / Greater yam
Dioscorea alata
A vigorous climbing vine cultivated for its large starchy tuber, an important staple food across the tropics.
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Watercress
Nasturtium officinale
Aquatic leafy vegetable with a peppery flavor, traditionally grown in flowing water.
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Waterleaf
Talinum fruticosum
Succulent tropical leafy vegetable grown for its mucilaginous, mineral-rich leaves.
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Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
A trailing vine cultivated for its large, sweet, water-rich fruit.
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Wax apple
Syzygium samarangense
A tropical tree producing bell-shaped, crisp, watery fruit eaten fresh, mildly sweet in flavor.
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Weeping lovegrass
Eragrostis curvula
Drought-tolerant perennial grass used for pasture and soil erosion control.
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Welsh onion
Allium fistulosum
Bunching allium grown for its hollow green leaves and stalks, used fresh or cooked.
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West African pepper
Piper guineense
Climbing vine whose dried berries are used as a pungent pepper spice in West African cuisine.
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West Indian gherkin
Cucumis anguria
A spiny-fruited vine related to cucumber, used mainly for pickling.
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Wheat
Triticum aestivum
Grown mainly in the highland cereal belt (Rift Valley, Narok, Uasin Gishu) for flour and animal feed.
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White clover
Trifolium repens
A low-growing perennial forage legume commonly grown in pastures and as a nitrogen-fixing ground cover.
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White fonio
Digitaria exilis
An ancient West African cereal grain valued for its short growing cycle and fine grain.
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White Guinea yam
Dioscorea rotundata
Major West African staple yam grown for its firm, white-fleshed tuber.
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White jute
Corchorus capsularis
Primarily a fiber crop, but its young leaves are also eaten as a leafy vegetable in parts of South and Southeast Asia.
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White lupin
Lupinus albus
A legume grown for its protein-rich seeds, used in food products and animal feed after removal of bitter alkaloids.
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White mulberry
Morus alba
A tree traditionally grown to feed silkworms, also producing edible sweet white-to-pink fruit.
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White mustard
Sinapis alba
A crop grown for its seeds, used to make mild table mustard, and as a fast-growing cover or forage crop.
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White sapote
Casimiroa edulis
A subtropical tree producing a thin-skinned fruit with soft, sweet, custard-like flesh.
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White sweetclover
Melilotus albus
Deep-rooted biennial forage and cover legume that improves soil structure and fertility.
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Wild custard apple
Annona senegalensis
A savanna shrub or small tree native to Africa producing a sweet edible fruit eaten fresh.
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Wild date palm
Phoenix reclinata
An African palm species producing small edible dates
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Wild garlic / Ramsons
Allium ursinum
Woodland species harvested for its garlic-flavored leaves and bulbs.
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Wild loquat (masuku)
Uapaca kirkiana
A southern and eastern African miombo woodland tree producing a sweet edible fruit
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Wild rice (northern)
Zizania palustris
An aquatic grain native to North America, traditionally harvested by Indigenous peoples and now also grown in cultivated paddies.
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Wild rocket
Diplotaxis tenuifolia
Perennial salad green with narrow, deeply lobed, strongly peppery leaves.
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Wild sesame
Sesamum radiatum
West African leafy vegetable used similarly to false sesame for its edible leaves.
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Wild thyme
Thymus serpyllum
Low creeping perennial herb with aromatic leaves used similarly to common thyme.
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Wineberry
Rubus phoenicolasius
An East Asian cane fruit species with bristly red stems, producing small sweet-tart orange-red berries.
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Winged bean
Psophocarpus tetragonolobus
A tropical legume valued for its edible pods, seeds, leaves, and tuberous roots, all of which are nutritious.
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Winter melon (Ash gourd)
Benincasa hispida
A trailing or climbing vine grown for its large fruit with a waxy rind, used in soups and preserves, with good storage life.
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Winter savory
Satureja montana
Perennial semi-woody herb with a stronger, more pungent flavor than summer savory.
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Woad
Isatis tinctoria
A biennial crop historically cultivated for the blue dye extracted from its leaves.
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Wood apple
Limonia acidissima
A tree producing a hard-shelled fruit with tart, aromatic pulp used in chutneys, drinks, and desserts.
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Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium
Bitter aromatic perennial herb cultivated for use in traditional digestive remedies and as a flavoring in some spirits.
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Yacon
Smallanthus sonchifolius
Grown for its sweet, crunchy tuber rich in inulin, eaten raw like a fruit.
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Yardlong bean
Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis
A climbing legume grown for its extremely long, slender pods, popular as a vegetable in Southeast and East Asian cooking.
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Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Perennial herb cultivated for its flowering tops, used traditionally as an herbal remedy for wounds and digestive complaints.
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Year bean
Phaseolus dumosus
A perennial climbing bean grown in Central American highlands for its edible seeds, related to the common bean.
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Yeheb nut
Cordeauxia edulis
A drought-hardy shrub native to the Horn of Africa, producing edible, protein-rich nuts and used as browse in arid rangelands.
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Yellow Gentian
Gentiana lutea
Mountain perennial cultivated for its bitter root, used in traditional digestive tonics and in the production of aperitifs.
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Yellow Guinea yam
Dioscorea cayenensis
Yellow-fleshed tuber crop grown as a staple across West Africa, often alongside white Guinea yam.
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Yellow mombin
Spondias mombin
A tropical tree producing small yellow, plum-like fruit with tangy flavor used fresh and in beverages.
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Yellow sarson
Brassica rapa subsp. trilocularis
An oilseed type of Brassica rapa cultivated mainly in South Asia for its yellow seeds, pressed for edible mustard oil.
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Yellow sweetclover
Melilotus officinalis
A biennial legume used for forage, green manure, and soil improvement, also attractive to pollinators.
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Yerba mate
Ilex paraguariensis
A South American holly species whose dried leaves are steeped to make mate, a traditional caffeinated infused beverage.
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Yuzu
Citrus junos
A cold-hardy East Asian citrus species prized for its aromatic, sour rind and juice used in cooking.
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Zedoary
Curcuma zedoaria
Aromatic rhizome related to turmeric, used as a spice and in traditional medicine.
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Zombi pea
Vigna vexillata
A legume with edible tuberous roots and seeds, semi-domesticated and used as a minor food crop in parts of Africa and Asia.
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Zucchini (Courgette)
Cucurbita pepo
A fast-growing summer squash harvested immature; the species also includes acorn squash and many ornamental gourds.
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