Herb
Leaves or tender stems harvested for culinary seasoning, aromatic teas, or fragrant oils. Herbs are usually fast-growing and can be cut repeatedly. While some also have medicinal value, use this tag when culinary or aromatic use is primary.
Contrayerva
Francis Drake’s 16th-century voyage around the globe helped spark a wave of European interest in exotic plants, feeding the rise of botanical science. This story follows how naturalists like Charles Clusius used explorers’ accounts to build networks, botanical gardens, and a new culture of plant collecting in early modern Europe.
herb, medicinal, root, tropicalDittany: Women’s Herbs and Reproductive Control
Used for over 2,000 years, dittany has been closely tied to women’s health, especially around menstruation and childbirth. This story explores how historical herbals and recipes reflect women’s knowledge and agency in using this medicinal plant across time.
herb, spice, medicinal, temperateMint: The Ubiquity of a Commercial Crop
Mint is a globally widespread plant with thousands of varieties, woven into daily life through food, medicine, and products. This story uncovers mint’s overlooked role in botanical history, from naming challenges to its impact on medicine and global plant exchange.
herb, medicinal, temperatePelargonium: By Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet?
Charles Dickens adored the scarlet “geranium,” but the plant he loved was actually a pelargonium—long mistaken for its namesake. This story untangles their identities and reveals the pelargonium’s distinct history and influence across science, industry, and culture.
shrub, herb, ornamental, temperate
