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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Callicarpa argentii
Callicarpa argentii is one of four new species of Callicarpa recently described from the island of Borneo.
More: Mint family, Trees
Clerodendrum paniculatum (pagoda flower)
The pagoda flower, so called because of its tall, pyramidal inflorescences, is one of the most spectacular Clerodendrum species.
More: Mint family, Medicinal, Saving species, Ornamentals
Lamium album (white dead-nettle)
The white dead-nettle has nettle shaped leaves that do not sting, and grows in woodlands and grasslands.
More: Mint family, Food, Medicinal
Lamium maculatum (spotted dead-nettle)
The leaf markings of the spotted dead-nettle make it an attractive and popular choice for gardeners, and along with its large purple flowers easily distinguish it from the common stinging nettle (Urtica dioica).
More: Mint family, Ornamentals
Lavandula dentata (fringed lavender)
Fringed lavender is an attractive, highly aromatic, winter-flowering shrub for an unheated conservatory.
More: Mint family, Ornamentals, Medicinal, Beauty and cosmetics
Lavandula minutolii
Lavandula minutolii is an attractive winter-flowering shrub for the conservatory with aromatic, feathery grey leaves and spikes of blue flowers.
More: Mint family, Ornamentals
Mentha suaveolens (apple mint)
A vigorous, aromatic perennial native to southern and western Europe, apple mint is grown as a culinary herb and ornamental.
More: Food, Ornamentals, Mint family
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
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
Phlomis russeliana (Turkish sage)
Turkish sage is a stately plant, bearing whorls of hooded pale yellow flowers in summer and autumn.
More: Mint family, Ornamentals
Plectranthus cataractarum
This small member of the mint family lives in and around waterfalls in West Africa.
More: Mint family
Plectranthus esculentus (Livingstone potato)
Livingstone potato is a yellow-flowered member of the mint family, with elongated edible tubers.
More: Mint family, Food
Premna serratifolia (malbau)
Malbau is a common beach plant from southeast Asia and the Pacific. The crushed leaves smell of cat's urine.
More: Mint family, Out of the ordinary, Medicinal
Prunella vulgaris (selfheal)
Selfheal is a common herb in Britain and has a long history of medicinal use.
More: Mint family, Medicinal, Food
Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)
The 'wonder-herb' rosemary has been used variously as a medicine, food preservative, stimulant, memory enhancer, and of course as a flavoursome cooking ingredient.
More: Mint family, Food, Medicinal, Traditions and beliefs
Salvia africana-lutea (beach salvia)
Beach salvia is a spreading shrub with rounded, greyish leaves and unusual orange-brown flowers.
More: Mint family, Ornamentals, Medicinal
Salvia caymanensis (Cayman sage)
For nearly 40 years it was thought that the Cayman sage was extinct, but after the distribution of 'Wanted' posters in 2007 it was rediscovered.
More: Mint family, Saving species
Scutellaria galericulata (skullcap)
Skullcap is a common waterside plant found throughout the United Kingdom and the Northern Hemisphere.
More: Mint family, Medicinal
Stachys germanica (downy woundwort)
The downy woundwort is rare in the UK, and so benefits from full protection under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act.
More: Mint family
Tectona grandis (teak)
Teak is well known for its high quality timber, and has also been used for traditional medicine in southeast Asia.
More: Building materials, Trees, Mint family, Medicinal
Vitex trifolia (simpleleaf chastetree)
Simpleleaf chastetree is very common from East Africa to Tahiti in the Pacific, where it is grown as an ornamental and for medicinal use.
More: Mint family, Medicinal, Ornamentals
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