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.

Follow Kew

Keep up to date with events and news from Kew

Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood)

A sweetly aromatic herb with small, yellow flower heads, sweet wormwood contains the chemical artemisinin and its aerial parts are used in making anti-malarial drugs.

More: Medicinal, Beauty and cosmetics, Ornamentals

Artocarpus altilis (breadfruit)

Breadfruit is a tall tropical tree with divided leaves and large green to yellow fruits with an edible, starchy, white or cream-coloured flesh.

More: Food, Great plant hunters, Medicinal, Textiles and dyes, Building materials, Trees

Arum pictum

Arum pictum is a low-growing, autumn-flowering arum with beautiful, shiny leaves and a purple spathe.

More: Ornamentals

Asarum asaroides

Asarum asaroides was introduced to Europe by the German, Philipp von Siebold, on his return from Japan in 1830.

More: Ornamentals, Traditions and beliefs, Food

Asparagus officinalis (garden asparagus)

Garden asparagus is a widely grown seasonal vegetable that has been cultivated for thousands of years, and this and a few other species of the genus are still harvested from the wild in parts of the Mediterranean.

More: Food, Medicinal