Psoriasis is a common skin condition that affects approximately a million people in the United States alone. It’s a chronic, long-term condition that can cause itching, redness, scaling, and skin inflammation. The good news is that there are treatments available to help manage psoriasis symptoms and there are some lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of developing or exacerbating the condition. Let’s take a closer look at five things you need to know about psoriasis. What Causes Psoriasis? Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that is thought to be an immune system problem. It is believed to…

Commelina communis, commonly known as the Asiatic dayflower, is an herbaceous annual plant in the Commelinaceae Mirb. (Spiderwort family). The plant gets its name because the blooms last for only one day. The plant is native throughout much of East Asia and Southeast Asia. Country by country, it is found in China, India, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Cambodia, Iran, the Russian Far East, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. Within China it is found in all provinces except Xinjiang, Tibet, Hainan and Qinghai. In Japan the plant is found from Kyūshū to Hokkaido south. In Russia it is found on Sakhalin and…

Commelina diffusa, sometimes known as the climbing dayflower or spreading dayflower, is a pan-tropical herbaceous plant in the Commelinaceae Mirb. (Spiderwort family). The plant is native to tropical America and the Caribbean, USA, tropical and subtropical Africa, India, Pakistan, China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. In China mostly found within the provinces of Guangdong, southwestern Guangxi, southwestern Guizhou, Hainan, southeastern Xizang and southeastern Yunnan. There are two recognized varieties, one being the type and the other being C. diffusa var. gigas. Some of the popular common names of the plants are Climbing dayflower, Spreading dayflower, Birdbill Dayflower,…

Water Thyme or Hydrilla scientifically known as Hydrilla verticillata is an aquatic herb belonging to Hydrocharitaceae Juss. (Tape-grass family). The plant is native to the cool and warm waters of the Old World in Asia, Africa and Australia, with a sparse, scattered distribution; in Australia from Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales. Some of the popular common names of the plants are esthwaite waterweed, water thyme, hydrilla, Florida Elodea, Indian Stargrass and Water Weed. It is an aquatic weed from Asia that is one of the most difficult aquatic invasive plants to control and eradicate in the United States.…

Aquatic Rotula scientifically known as Rotula aquatica is a species of aromatic flowering shrub in the borage family, Boraginaceae. It is a rare rheophyte plant native to eastern Brazil, western Africa, and from India, throughout continental South-East Asia, to southern China and the Malesian region, where it is found in Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, the Philippines, Sulawesi and New Guinea. Apart from Aquatic Rotula it is also known as kallurvanchi. The plant is a mandatory component of many Ayurvedic drug preparations and is an important traditional medicine for kidney and bladder stones. Aquatic Rotula Facts Name Aquatic Rotula Scientific Name Rotula…

Brasenia schreberi, commonly known as watershield, is a genus belonging to the Cabombaceae Rich. ex A. Rich. (Water-shield family), consisting of one species, Brasenia schreberi. The plant is widely distributed in North America, the West Indies, northern South America (Venezuela, Guyana), eastern Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Primorye), Australia, the Indian Subcontinent, and parts of Africa. Some of the popular common names of the plants are Dollar bonnet, Watershield, Water target, Schreber’s Watershield and Purple Wendock. The young leaf tips, which are coated with thick transparent mucilage, are eaten in salad with vinegar, sake and soy sauce, or added to soups…

Plectranthus scutellarioides, commonly known as coleus or Painted-nettle, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae (the mint or deadnettle family). The plant is native to continental southeast Asia southward to Malesia and northern Australia (the Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, Southeast China, Java, Laos, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Peninsular Malaysia, Maluku, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, New Guinea, Northern Territory, Philippines, Queensland, the Solomon Islands, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Western Australia). It is cultivated in tropical and temperate regions around the world including all parts of China, and is invasive in some places. Few of the popular common names…

Hiptage (Helicopter Flower) scientifically known as Hiptage benghalensis is a perennial, evergreen liana belonging to Malpighiaceae Juss. (Barbados Cherry family). The plant is native to Eastern India, Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Indo-China, southern China, Taiwan, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Borneo, the Philippines (Palawan) and Sulawesi. It has been introduced in islands of the Pacific, where it is considered an aggressive invasive species. It is also naturalized in the Mascarenes (i.e. on Mauritius and La Reunion), Hawaii and south-eastern USA (i.e. Florida). Few of the popular common names of the plants are Helicopter Flower, Adimurtte, Adirganti,…

Excoecaria agallocha, commonly known as Blinding Tree, Blind-Your-Eyes or Milky Mangrove is a mangrove species, belongs to the genus Excoecaria of the family Euphorbiaceae Juss. (Spurge family). The plant is native along the coasts of southern India and Sri Lanka, to southern China, Taiwan, Burma (Myanmar), Indo-China, southern Japan, south throughout Southeast Asia, to Papua New Guinea, Northern Australia and Pacific Islands. Within Australia, it thrives from northern New South Wales along the northern coastline around to Western Australia. The species has many common names, including blind-your-eye mangrove, blinding tree, buta buta tree, milky mangrove, poison fish tree, and river…

Salix triandra, with the common names almond willow or almond-leaved willow is a species of willow belonging to Salicaceae Mirb. (Willow family). The plant is native to Europe and Western and Central Asia. It is found from south-eastern England east to Lake Baikal, and south to Spain and the Mediterranean east to the Caucasus, and the Alborz Mountains. It usually grows in riparian habitats, on river and stream banks, and in wetlands. Some of the popular common names of the plants are Almond willow, Almond-leaf willow, Almond-leaved willow, Black maul and French willow. The scientific name is derived from the…

Salix tetrasperma, commonly called Indian willow, locally known as ঊযুম (ooyum) is a medium sized tree belonging to Salicaceae (Willow family). The plant is native from Afghanistan and the Punjab eastwards throughout South-East Asia including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Laos, Thailand and southern China; in Malesia in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands (Bali and Nusa Tenggara), East Kalimantan and the Philippines. In Peninsular Malaysia, only the male sex has been introduced. Few of the popular common names of the plants are Indian willow, Atrupalai, Bains, Niranji, Panijama and Vanchimaram. In Manipur, in NE India, the new flowers…

Weeping willow or Babylon willow scientifically known as Salix babylonica is a species of willow belonging to Salicaceae Mirb. (Willow family). The plant is native to dry areas of northern China, but cultivated for millennia elsewhere in Asia, being traded along the Silk Road to southwest Asia and Europe. It is widely naturalized in southern and eastern Australia (i.e. in southern and central Queensland, eastern and southern New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, south-eastern and eastern South Australia, and near Perth in south-western Western Australia). It is also widely naturalized overseas in Europe, southern Africa, New Zealand and the…

Myosotis scorpioides (syn. Myosotis palustris), commonly known as Water forget me not or true forget-me-not, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the borage family, Boraginaceae Juss. The plant is native to Europe and Asia, but is widely distributed elsewhere, including much of North America, as an introduced species and sometimes a noxious weed. The plant is common and widespread in Britain, however is very rare in Jersey. Some of the popular common names of the plants are Yellow eye forget-me-not, Forget-me-not, large-seed forget-me-not, true forget-me-not, water Forget-me-not, Scorpion Weed, Love-me, Marsh Scorpion Grass, Mouse-Ear Scorpion Grass, Snake Grass, Water…

Portulaca grandiflora popularly known as Moss Rose or Garden Purslane is a succulent flowering plant belonging to Portulacaceae Dumort. (Purslane family). The plant is widely distributed species in North and Central America, Europe, tropical Africa, southern Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, India, Asia and the Pacific Islands. It is also seen in South Asia and widely spread in most of the cities with old 18th- and 19th-century architecture in the Balkans. It has many common names, including Sun rose, rock rose, mexican-rose, eleven-o’clock, moss rose, portulaca, portulaca rose, purslane, rose moss, sun Plant, Moss-rose, Moss-rose Purslane, Garden Purslane, Moss rose, Garden Portulaca,…

Gallant Soldier or Quick Weed scientifically known as Galinsoga parviflora is a slender annual herb belonging to Asteraceae Bercht. & J. Presl (Aster family). The plant is native to Central America, South America, Europe, West Indies, Mexico, Australia, Africa and Asia. However it is widely naturalized in other countries. It has been naturalized elsewhere, including North America and Australasia. In Pakistan, it can be found in Balochistan, Hunza, Dir, Swat, Gilgit, Murree and Kashmir. In tropical Africa it is widespread and has been collected in Cape Verde, central, eastern and southern Africa, and the Indian Ocean islands. It has several…

Tragopogon pratensis commonly known as meadow salsify or showy goat’s-beard is an annual plant belonging to Asteraceae Bercht. & J. Presl (Aster family). The plant is native across Europe, Central Asia, Turkey and North America. It is found in North America from southern Ontario to Massachusetts; most of England; on the eastern and southern edges of Scotland; and central Ireland but not the coastal edges. It has been introduced to widespread areas of Canada, Haiti, and the United States. Some of the popular common names of the plants are Goat’s-beard, Johnny-go-to-bed-at-noon, Meadow salsify, Shepherd’s-clock, Yellow goat’s-beard, Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon, Showy goatsbeard, Goatsbeard,…

Lupinus angustifolius is a species of lupin known by many common names, including narrowleaf lupin, and blue lupin. It is a fast growing annual herb belonging to Fabaceae Lindl. (Pea family). The plant is native to northern Africa (i.e. Algeria, Egypt and Morocco), southern Europe (i.e. Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, France, Portugal and Spain) and western Asia. It is widely naturalized in southern and eastern Australia (i.e. in eastern New South Wales, in some parts of Victoria, in Tasmania and in south-western Western Australia). Also present in some parts of western New South Wales and sparingly naturalized in south-eastern Queensland. Apart…

Known scientifically as Amorphophallus konjac, konjac is a tuberous plant that’s sort of like a yam belonging to Araceae Juss. (Arum family). You may also hear it called elephant foot yam because of its unique appearance of the tubers it produces. The plant is native to warm subtropical to tropical areas of eastern Asia, including Vietnam, Japan, southern and south-eastern China, Indonesia and possibly Laos. It occurs wild and cultivated and easily escapes from cultivation. Its cultivation is most important in China and Japan (konnyaku), but it is also known in Indo-China and the Philippines, and occasionally elsewhere (e.g. Hawaii).…

Ficus lyrata, or the Fiddle Leaf Fig, is a species of evergreen tropical tree in the mulberry and fig family Moraceae which includes the common fig and mulberry tree and over 1,000 other plant species! It has derived its name fiddle leaf fig from the curious way that their leaves reflect the size and shape of a violin or fiddle. Additionally, in the wild, fiddle leaf figs do produce fruit (hence fig). However, you will rarely see that happen as houseplants. The plant is native to Western Tropical Africa (Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo)…

Urtica pilulifera, also known as the Roman nettle, is an herbaceous plant belonging to the family Urticaceae. The plant is native to the countries around the Mediterranean, and eastwards into the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. It has been introduced into Belgium, Germany and Great Britain. It is no longer found in Britain. Roman nettle is a flowering plant that is considered a weed in cultivated and wasteland. Much like other nettle species, it has hairs on its leaves that cause skin irritation when touched. The plant is pollinated by wind, rather than insects. Plant Description Roman nettle is an herbaceous,…

Rice paddy herb scientifically known as Limnophila aromatic is a tropical flowering plant, member of the plantain family called Plantaginaceae. The plant is native from India and Sri Lanka to Indo-China, southern China, Japan, Taiwan, throughout South-East Asia and northern Australia, where it flourishes in hot temperatures and grows most often in watery environments, particularly in flooded rice fields. Some of popular common names of the plants are Rice paddy herb, Swampleaf, Limnophila, Finger grass and rau Om. It is called ngò ôm or ngổ in Vietnam and used as an herb and also cultivated for use as an aquarium…

Thespesia populnea, commonly known as the portia tree, Indian tulip tree, or milo is a species of flowering plant belonging to the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is a tree found commonly on coasts around the world. The plant has a very broad native range and is widely distributed throughout the tropics, though it is most commonly found in coastal areas, in Central America, northern South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, northern Australia, and on Indian and Pacific Ocean islands. Although it is confirmed to be native only to the Old World tropics, other authorities consider it to have a wider,…

Spreading sneezeweed is a prostrate hairless herb belonging to Asteraceae Bercht. & J. Presl (Aster family) and in the genus Centipeda Lour. (Centipede). The plant is native from Africa through Afghanistan and India to China and Japan, and southwards through South-East Asia to Australia and the Pacific Islands. Some of the popular common names of the plants Sneeize-wort, Small Centipeda, Centipeda Herb, Sneezeweed, Sneezewort, Spreading Sneezeweed, Kundush and Herba Centipedae. It is found in wet places and the rice fields of most Asian countries. The plant is widely used in traditional medicine. The leaves and roots of the plant are…

Fragaria virginiana, commonly known as Virginia strawberry or wild strawberry is actually a North American strawberry belonging to Rosaceae Juss. (Rose family). The plant grows across much of the United States and southern Canada. It is one of the two species of wild strawberry that were hybridized to create the modern domesticated garden strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa). Some of the popular common names of the plants are Mountain strawberry, Scarlet strawberry, Virginia strawberry, Wild strawberry, Common strawberry, Thick-leaved strawberry, Woods strawberry and Thick-leaved wild strawberry. Genus name comes from the Latin word fraga meaning strawberry presumably from fragrans meaning fragrant…

Helenium autumnale popularly known as Sneezeweed or Common sneezeweed is a North American species of flowering plants in the daisy or aster family (Asteraceae). The plant is widespread across much of the United States and Canada, from Northwest Territories as far south as far northern California, Arizona, Louisiana, and Florida. It has not been found in southern or central California, or the 4 Atlantic Provinces of Canada. Some of popular common names include Sneezeweed, Common sneezeweed, Fall sneezeweed, Mountain sneezeweed, False Sunflower, autumn sneezeweed, bitterweed, smooth oxeye, mountain sneezeweed, Helen’s flower, Large-flowered Sneezeweed and Dogtooth-daisy. The genus name, Helenium, comes…

Solanum aviculare commonly known as Kangaroo Apple or poroporo is a short-lived tree belonging to Solanaceae Juss. (Potato family). The plant is native to south-eastern Asia (i.e. Irian Jaya in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea), eastern Australia (i.e. eastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales and Victoria), Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and New Zealand. It also naturalized overseas in Hawaii and western USA (i.e. California and Oregon). Some of the popular common names of the plants are kangaroo apple, New Zealand nightshade, poroporo, pōporo, bumurra, pam plum, nightshade and bullibulli. The name aviculare comes from the Latin for little bird,…

Currant Tomato scientifically known as Solanum pimpinellifolium is a wild relative of garden tomato (S. lycopersicon). It is an annual to biennial plant belonging to Solanaceae Juss. (Potato family). The plant is native to South America, from Ecuador, Chili and Coastal region Peru but naturalized elsewhere, such as the Galápagos Islands. It grows in wet places, generally at low to moderate elevations. Today, it is also cultivated in other parts of the world. Some of the popular common names of the plants are German Raising Tomato, Tomatillo and Currant tomato. Currant tomatoes were bred for flavor and not for large…

Passiflora incarnate popularly known as Maypop or purple passionflower is a fast-growing perennial trailing plant belonging to Passifloraceae Juss. ex Roussel (Passion-flower family). The plant is native to northwestern South America, India, the Caribbean, Brazil, southern Florida, Hawaii, Australia, East Africa, Israel and South Africa. It is one of the hardiest species of passion flower that is quite common in the southern United States. The plant is known by several other indigenous names like wild apricot, Apricot vine, May apple, Maypop, May pops, Passion flower, Wild passion flower, maypop passionflower, purple passionflower, red-flowered poka, Granadilla, Herba passiflorae, Jamaican honeysuckle, Madre…

Hovenia dulcis, commonly known as the Japanese raisin tree or oriental raisin tree, is a hardy tree belonging to Rhamnaceae Juss. (Buckthorn family) that has long been valued by practitioners of Eastern medicine. The plant is native Eastern China, Japan, North Korea, and South Korea and is also found growing naturally in the forests of Thailand and North Vietnam. Today it’s cultivated worldwide. Some of the well-known common names of the plants are Chinese raisin tree, Japanese raisin tree, Oriental raisin tree, Coral tree and honey tree. The fruit has long been admired by those adopting Chinese traditional medicine as…

Devil’s club or devil’s walking stick (Oplopanax horridus syn. Echinopanax horridus is a large understory shrub belonging to Araliaceae Juss. (Ginseng family), which comprises famous botanicals such as Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). The plant is native to south-central Alaska south along the Pacific Coast and the western slope of the Cascade Range to southern Oregon and east to southwestern Yukon Territory, Idaho, and western Montana. Disjunct populations occur on several islands of northern Lake Superior, including Isle Royale and Passage Island, Michigan, and Porphyry and Slate islands, Ontario. It may also be found in temperate…