Brigitte MarsTurnip (Brassica rapa, B. campestris) is technically a white version of rutabaga. The species name, rape is from the Latin word for turnip. The old English word for turnip is from naep, which when blended with the Anglo-Saxon word turn, meant...
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is a member of the Brassicaeae (Mustard) Family, making it a relative of cabbage and radish. The genus name is from the Latin, nasus tortus, and meaning “writhing nose” in reference to the pungent...
Watermelon (Citrullus lannatus, C, vulgaris) is a member of the Curcurbitaceae (Gourd) Family and native of Africa. Watermelon is cold, sweet and refreshing and provides a safe reliable fluid in many desert regions of the world. Watermelon is...
Winter Squash (Curcurbita maxima) is a member of the Curcurbitaceae (Gourd) Family. They originated Central America. The word “squash” is from a Narragansett and Iroquois word, askutasquash and isquoutersquash. Winter squashes include...
Persimmons (Diospyros virginiana, D. kaki) are members of the Ebenaceae (Ebony) Family. The genus name, Diospyros comes from the Greek, dios and pyros, meaning “grain, ” hence the meaning “God’s grain.” In Europe...
Pineapple (Ananas comosus,) is native to Brazil or Paraguay, and known to the Indians as na-na, meaning “fragrance.” Columbus encountered it on the island of Guadalupe. The Spaniards referred to it as “pina” due to its...
Plums (Prunus domestica) are a member of the Rosaceae (Rose) Family, making them a close relative of apricots and peaches. Believed to have originated in western Asia, in Chinese mythology, plums symbolize wisdom, longevity and resurrection. Plums...
Pomegrates (Punica granatum) are native to South Asia, the pomegranate is a member of the Lythraceae (Henna) Family and believed to be a native of Iran. The name, pomegranate comes from the Latin, meaning “apple with many seeds.” Its red...
Pumpkins (Curcurbita pepo) are members of the Curcurbitaceae (Gourd) Family, and a relative of melons and squash. Their genus is from the Latin for gourd and species name is derived from the Greek word for “Sun ripened.” Originating in...
Radish (Raphanus sativus) is a member of the Brassicaceae (Mustard) Family and originated from western Asia. The genus name Raphanus is derived from Greek, meaning, “easily raised.” The word radish comes from the Latin radix, meaning...
