Ann Marie

Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is an interesting herbaceous plant that looks prettier than it sounds. This two-toned flower changes its color from the pink into rose-red, violet, and blue as it matures. Its transformation gives it an appearance of gradience as…

Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) is a perennial shrub that grows bright red raisin-like fruits. It is considered a superfood and what the Chinese believe to be a fountain of youth for its ability in warding off aging. It is an…

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is an herbaceous flowering plant of the buttercup family. It often thrives in the woodland in North America and is a popular herbal medicine for many centuries. It is widely used in treating menstrual and menopausal…

Sweet violet (Viola odorata) is one of the hundred species of violets identifiable by its sweet scent. Its fragrance is regarded as one of the most beautiful aromas in the plant kingdom, which paved its popularity in perfume production. This…

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), or American Skullcap, is a wildflower with blue, purple, or pink bloom. The outer whorl of its flower resembles a cap, helmet, or skull that gave the plant its name. This perennial plant often lines up along…

Borage (Borago officinalis), or starflower, is a fuzzy and herbaceous plant that belongs to the forget-me-not family. It bears beautiful star-shaped blue flowers that bloom from summer to late fall. It is called a bee bush or bee bread due…

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a useful healing plant. As its name suggests, this herb is beneficial in reducing fever. This weedy perennial shrub bears a cluster of white florets with a yellow button-like center. The flowerheads are long-lasting, making them…

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is one of the popular herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is referred to as female ginseng. It has been used for thousands of years as a sacred herbal remedy. Its moniker female ginseng does…

Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is a flowering shrub represented by its fearsome-looking hook-like fruits that resemble a claw. These claws or pods are notorious hitchhikers that can cling to clothing and animal furs and get transported elsewhere. They are invasive,…