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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Adonidia maturbongsii (manjek)

Adonidia maturbongsii is a solitary palm recently discovered on Biak Island in Indonesia and considered to be Endangered.

More: Palms, Kew discoveries, Building materials

Caryota urens (solitary fishtail palm)

Across India and other Asian countries, the sap of solitary fishtail palm is fermented to produce an alcoholic drink called palm wine or toddy.

More: Palms, Building materials, Food, Ornamentals, Textiles and dyes, Out of the ordinary

Cyrtostachys bakeri

A spectacular new species of canopy palm recently discovered by Kew botanists in the remote Western Province of Papua New Guinea.

More: Palms, Kew discoveries

Dransfieldia micrantha

Only recently placed in a genus of its own, the Latin name of this palm honours a Kew botanist and palm expert.

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Dypsis ankirindro

A beautiful new species of palm discovered by Kew botanists in Madagascar’s newest protected area.

More: Palms, Kew discoveries

Dypsis brevicaulis

This dwarf palm from Madagascar is threatened by forest destruction. It is only known from three sites, and fewer than fifty Dypsis brevicaulis plants have been found in the wild.

More: Palms

Dypsis gronophyllum

A clustering palm, with leaflets that look as though they have been ‘nibbled’, Dypsis gronophyllum is known only from the Vondrozo area of south-east Madagascar.

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Dypsis humilis

A highly threatened new species of stemless palm discovered by Kew botanists on the edge of Madagascar’s newest protected area.

More: Palms, Kew discoveries

Dypsis makirae

This stunning new species of palm was discovered by Kew botanists in Madagascar’s newest protected area.

More: Palms, Kew discoveries

Heterospathe barfodii

Heterospathe barfodii is a critically endangered palm from Papua New Guinea with a striking white crownshaft and maroon young flowering stems.

More: Palms, Kew discoveries

Jubaea chilensis (Chilean wine palm)

Although Darwin described the Chilean wine palm as a ‘very ugly tree’, many consider it to be one of the world's most magnificent palms. Kew’s own impressive specimen is growing in our Temperate House.

More: Palms, Food, Textiles and dyes