Plants & Fungi A - Z
Explore our profiles of plants and fungi.
These illustrated profiles contain a wealth of facts, including details on conservation, uses and habitats – as well as Kew’s connections with the species. They have been chosen to inspire interest in plants, detail our science and conservation work and showcase star plants in the Gardens.
This is a constantly growing resource with new profiles added every week - so do be sure to check back regularly.
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Gagnebina commersoniana
A small shrub from Madagascar, Gagnebina commersoniana was named in honour of the 18th century French naturalist J.-P. Commerson.
More: Legume family
Galanthus nivalis (common snowdrop)
The common snowdrop is one of the most popular of all cultivated bulbous plants, and its flowering is traditionally seen to herald the end of winter.
More: Alpines, Ornamentals, Traditions and beliefs
Galanthus panjutinii (Panjutin’s snowdrop)
Galanthus panjutinii is an endangered snowdrop from Russia and Georgia.
More: Alpines, Kew discoveries
Galanthus woronowii (Woronow's snowdrop)
A snowdrop with wide, green, shiny leaves, Galanthus woronowii is currently the subject of research into sustainable harvesting of bulbous plants.
More: Ornamentals, Medicinal, Alpines
Galium aparine (cleavers)
Cleavers is a botanical hitchhiker with a medicinal past, present and future.
More: Traditions and beliefs, Medicinal, Coffee family
Gardenia nitida (glossy-leaved gardenia)
Native to west tropical Africa, Gardenia nitida is a small tree or undershrub with woody fruits and strongly-scented flowers.
More: Traditions and beliefs, Great plant hunters, Ornamentals
Gardenia thunbergia (white gardenia)
The large, showy, creamy-white flowers of the white gardenia have an overpowering scent, which is particularly noticeable at night and typical of moth-pollinated plants.
More: Coffee family, Medicinal, Ornamentals
Gazania linearis (treasure flower)
Treasure flowers, originally from South Africa, have been in cultivation since the 19th century, but are now also invasive plants in some parts of the world.
More: Ornamentals, Textiles and dyes
Gentiana acaulis (stemless gentian)
Stemless gentian is a central European species and can be seen on the back of the Austrian € 0.01 (one euro cent) coin. It has also been chosen as the logo of the Alpine Garden Society.
More: Alpines, Ornamentals, Medicinal
Geranium farreri (Farrer’s geranium)
Farrer’s geranium is described as one of the most delicate and charming of all geraniums.
More: Alpines, Ornamentals
Geranium macrorrhizum (rock crane's-bill)
Geranium macrorrhizum is an aromatic perennial with attractive soft leaves and pink or purplish flowers, and provides good ground cover.
More: Ornamentals
Gilbertiodendron dewevrei (abeum)
Gilbertiodendron dewevrei is a large, evergreen tree that dominates forests in parts of central Africa.
More: Trees, Legume family, Building materials, Medicinal
Ginkgo biloba (maidenhair tree)
Ginkgo biloba, or maidenhair tree, has been described as a ‘living fossil’ because it is the sole survivor of an ancient group of trees older than the dinosaurs.
More: Trees, Kew favourites, Medicinal, Ancient
Gladiolus dzavakheticus (sword lily)
The eye-catching sword lily adds beauty to sub-alpine landscapes and lakesides, especially in foggy weather, when only its pink flowers are visible.
More: Alpines, Ornamentals, Saving species
Gloriosa superba (flame lily)
Flame lily is a climber with spectacular red and yellow flowers, but all parts of the plant (especially the tubers) are extremely poisonous and can be fatal if eaten.
More: Medicinal, Ornamentals
Glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice)
A herb belonging to the pea and bean family, liquorice is cultivated for its underground stems that are used to flavour confectionery; it is also valued for its medicinal qualities.
More: Legume family, Food, Medicinal
Gmelina arborea (gamhar)
Gamhar is a southeast Asian tree that produces high-quality wood, which is used to make furniture and musical instruments, such as Indian sitars and drums.
More: Trees
Grevillea robusta (silky oak)
Silky oak is one of the finest flowering trees from Australia, with fern-like leaves and rich yellow, comb-like flowers in late spring.
More: Ornamentals, Building materials
Guibourtia ehie (black hyedua)
A tall forest tree from west Central Africa, black hyedua is valued for its timber, which is used in general carpentry in Ghana as a substitute for rosewood (Dalbergia spp.)
More: Legume family, Building materials
Gymnosiphon afro-orientalis
This flowering plant does not photosynthesise, but depends on fungi instead for survival.
More: Kew discoveries, Little and large, Plant fungal relationships, Out of the ordinary
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