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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Carnegiea gigantea (saguaro cactus)
A star of many Western films, the iconic saguaro cactus is a spectacular feature of the Sonoran Desert in south western North America.
More: Fuels, Building materials, Traditions and beliefs, Ornamentals, Little and large
Colophospermum mopane (mopane)
The mopane tree is reputed to provide the best fuelwood in Africa.
More: Fuels, Trees, Legume family
Dodonaea viscosa (hopbush)
A highly variable, extremely widespread plant with numerous medicinal uses, hopbush is known by over fifty different common names.
More: Building materials, Fuels, Medicinal
Eucalyptus camaldulensis (river red gum)
River red gum is a beautiful tree found along river banks and in valleys in Australia.
More: Building materials, Fuels, Medicinal
Fagus sylvatica (copper beech)
Copper beech trees can be propagated by grafting to maintain the colour of the leaves.
More: Trees, Fuels, Building materials
Mellissia begoniifolia (St Helena boxwood)
Having virtually disappeared from its natural habitat for the second time, St Helena boxwood is kept safe in cultivation in Kew’s glasshouses.
More: Saving species, Fuels
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
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
Pterocarpus lucens (small-leaved bloodwood)
Small-leaved bloodwood is an African shrub or tree with many uses, and is considered threatened in northern Burkina Faso.
More: Legume family, Building materials, Medicinal, Fuels
Saccharum officinarum (sugar cane)
Sugar is extracted from the sweet, juicy stems of sugar cane, and is used worldwide as a sweetener, preservative and in the cosmetics industry.
More: Grass family, Food, Beauty and cosmetics, Fuels
Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish moss)
Spanish moss is a superb 'air plant' which grows in silverish festoons up to 30 m long, hanging from tree limbs, cliffs and even telephone wires.
More: Fuels, Medicinal, Building materials
Xanthorrhoea preissii (balga)
A prominent species of the coastal plains and adjacent forests of south-west Western Australia, the tall, thin flowering spikes of Xanthorrhoea preissii emerge from a crown of grass-like leaves on a sturdy trunk, giving it an unusual profile.
More: Out of the ordinary, Fuels, Building materials, Traditions and beliefs
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