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
Dicksonia antarctica (Australian tree fern)
Australian tree fern is a handsome plant native to south-eastern Australia, where it grows in fertile, high-rainfall areas and moist, sheltered gullies.
More: Ancient, Ornamentals
Encephalartos altensteinii (Eastern Cape giant cycad)
The Eastern Cape giant cycad originates from South Africa, is long-lived and slow growing, and is popular as an ornamental plant.
More: Great plant hunters, Ornamentals, Kew discoveries, Ancient
Encephalartos tegulaneus (lpision)
This giant Kenyan cycad is a living fossil of the plant world – Encephalartos tegulaneus is a member of an ancient group and impressive, but also rare and only found on remote hills.
More: Ancient
Encephalartos woodii (Wood's cycad)
Wood’s cycad is an extremely rare plant. Along with its striking appearance, this makes it one of the most sought-after cycad species in the world.
More: Ancient
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
Isoetes eludens
Part of an ancient group of plants related to the ferns, this species eluded discovery until 2007, hence its Latin name eludens.
More: Little and large, Ancient, Kew discoveries
Lagarostrobos franklinii (Huon pine)
Huon pine is a slow-growing Australian tree, some individuals of which are thought to be over 2,200 years old.
More: Trees, Ancient, Building materials, Beauty and cosmetics, Conifers
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
Tamarindus indica (tamarind)
From the sausage-shaped fruits of the tamarind tree comes the sticky acidic pulp that has been used as a food ingredient for thousands of years.
More: Trees, Legume family, Food, Ancient
Welwitschia mirabilis (tree tumbo)
A ragged-leaved inhabitant of African desert, some tree tumbos are believed to be over 1,000 years old.
More: Ancient, Amazing adaptations, Out of the ordinary, Little and large
Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi pine)
The Wollemi pine was known only from fossils until 1994 when it was found growing in a rainforest gorge in Australia.
More: Trees, Ancient, Conifers
- Print friendly
- Send to a friend
-
Send to a friend Close
- Spread the word
-
Spread the word Close
- Blog this
- Donate
