Oilseed
Species cultivated chiefly for seeds rich in extractable oils used in cooking, industry, or biofuels. Sunflower and soybean are classic examples. The tag emphasizes economic importance tied to oil content rather than starch or fiber.
Peanut: From Luxury Food to Livestock Feed
Despite its name, the peanut is a legume with deep roots in South America, where it was first cultivated over 7,000 years ago. This story follows its global journey through the Columbian Exchange, highlighting its cultural, agricultural, and symbolic significance across continents.
legume, nut, oilseed, nitrogen-fixerSoybean: The Versatile Miracle Crop
Soybeans are everywhere—from grocery store shelves to livestock feed—covering six percent of the Earth’s surface and dominating global agriculture. This story explores soy’s journey from a humble wild plant to a genetically modified powerhouse entangled in issues of deforestation, food systems, and environmental politics.
legume, grain, oilseed, nitrogen-fixerSunflower: Knowledge, Myth, and Meaning
The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is instantly recognizable and widely celebrated in art and imagery, often overshadowing the plant itself. This story traces the sunflower’s cultural and visual history, revealing how its striking form helped shape myths, meanings, and botanical understanding over time.
flower, oilseed, ornamental, temperate
