Orchids
-good bioindicators
-produces vanilla
Cocoa plant
Theobroma cacao
-beans come from pods
-supports cardiovascular health via flavonoids
Lotus
Cultural symbolism in Vietnam, Hinduism, Buddhism
- architectural motifs
- lotus used in cooking
- bio filter
- grow in murky waters and bloom above surface
Frankincense
- fragrant gum/resin
- collected by tapping a tree and waiting for sap to harden (the gum)
- smoked in churches
- aids digestion
Aloe Vera
contains 75 active compounds
-inner gel 95% water
- treat skin conditions, wounds
- digestive health
- moisturizing
Cork Oak Tree
can be harvested without ever being cut
- coca cola was sealed with cork stoppers
- thick spongy outer bark that regenerates
- wine stoppers now / waterproof
- Portugal, forests are biodiversity hotspots
Rose plant
oldest species of plant to be grown as decoration
- symbol of love
- rosewater / rosehip tea
- classified as herbs
Spider plant
symbol of clean air/ purification
- air filtering house plant
- NASA study removes formaldehyde/Xylene
- low maintenance
Bamboo
bamboo forests are huge
- shoots make musical instruments/ fabrics/ furniture/ kitchenware
- structural building material
- shoots and leaves used as medicine
- raw bamboo contains cyanide
Chamomile
-soothing/calming properties
-teas
-sleep aid
-essential oils/ aromatherapy
Ginger
- universal remedy
- nausea/stomach problems
- valuable trade spice
- asian cuisine/ spiced drinks
Garlic
doesn’t produce viable seeds even though the plant flowers
- each bulb produces an identical clone
- believed to provide protection from spirits/evil
- vampires
- antimicrobial to pests (pungent smell) -> preservative
Cane Sugar
- staple in everyday cooking
- brown/white/powdered sugar
- sugarcane by-product = molasses
