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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Obetia radula (stinging-nettle tree)
The stinging-nettle tree looks a bit like a papaya tree – but it does what its name suggests!
More: Trees, Out of the ordinary, Textiles and dyes
Ocimum basilicum (basil)
Ocimum basilicum, commonly known as basil, is an aromatic annual herb and an important economic crop.
More: Mint family, Food, Medicinal, Beauty and cosmetics
Ocimum tenuiflorum (holy basil)
Holy basil is an important medicinal and religious plant closely related to the basil we use for cooking.
More: Mint family, Food, Medicinal, Traditions and beliefs
Olea europaea (olive)
Kew's Herbarium contains a wreath of folded olive leaves, which was found in the sarcophagus of King Tutankhamun, and is over 3,300 years old.
More: Trees, Food, Ancient, Fuels, Medicinal
Ononis rotundifolia (round-leaved restharrow)
Round-leaved restharrow is a beautiful, dwarf shrub with large, pink, red-veined pea-flowers and round, toothed, sticky leaflets.
More: Alpines, Ornamentals, Legume family
Ophiopogon planiscapus (lilyturf)
Lilyturf is a clump-forming perennial native to Japan, a dark-leaved cultivar of which is popular as an ornamental.
More: Ornamentals
Ophrestia madagascariensis
A member of the pea and bean family, Ophrestia madagascariensis is a perennial vine that is only found in northwestern Madagascar.
More: Legume family
Ophrys apifera (bee orchid)
The striking flowers of the bee orchid resemble a bee, resting on a pink flower.
More: Orchids, Amazing adaptations
Ophrys speculum (mirror orchid)
Ophrys speculum is a Mediterranean orchid that is pollinated exclusively by a single species of wasp.
Origanum vulgare (oregano)
A very common herb, oregano is widely used to give flavour to tomato or lamb dishes.
More: Mint family, Food, Medicinal, Beauty and cosmetics
Ornithochilus cacharensis
Ornithochilus cacharensis is a Critically Endangered orchid, which was recently discovered in Cachar, Assam (India).
More: Orchids
Oryza sativa (rice)
One of the world’s most important staple crops and a major part in the diet of more than half the world’s population, rice also has many medicinal uses.
More: Grass family, Food, Medicinal, Beauty and cosmetics, Traditions and beliefs
Osmanthus fragrans (fragrant olive)
Fragrant olive is an evergreen tree or shrub, with strongly-scented flowers; it is cultivated as an ornamental and has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine and for flavouring tea and confectionery.
More: Ornamentals, Food, Medicinal, Beauty and cosmetics
Osteospermum hyoseroides (star of the veldt)
Star of the veldt is a South African daisy with scented leaves and striking orange-yellow flower heads with dark centres.
More: Ornamentals
Oxalis hirta (tropical woodsorrel)
The late autumn flowering tropical woodsorrel was introduced into cultivation in the 18th century, but is not widely grown due to its untidy habit and flowers that only open in the sun, which can be rare in November.
More: Alpines, Ornamentals
Oxalis massoniana
Oxalis massoniana is a clump-forming perennial with hairy stems, narrow leaves and bright orange flowers; it is named after the Scottish botanist Francis Masson.
More: Alpines, Ornamentals, Great plant hunters
Oxytenanthera abyssinica (Bindura bamboo)
Oxytenanthera abyssinica (Bindura bamboo) is a drought-resistant bamboo from tropical Africa. Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank holds several thousand seeds from this species.
More: Fuels, Medicinal, Grass family, Amazing adaptations
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