Kids Research Express

Borage, common name for a large, widely distributed family of flowering plants (see Mint ), and for its representative genus. The family contains about 154 genera and 2500 species, found throughout the temperate and subtropical regions of the world but centered in the Mediterranean area. Plants vary widely in habit from annuals to perennials and from herbs to shrubs to trees. They usually have rough hairs on the stems and leaves. The inflorescence (flower cluster) is characteristic of the family. It is spirally coiled and unrolls and straightens from the base as the flowers open. The insect-pollinated flowers are regular (radially symmetrical) with five-lobed corollas (fused petals) that are funnel-shaped or bell-shaped. The ovary is deeply lobed and matures into a fruit consisting of four nutlets. In addition to horticultural subjects, the family provides timber, dyes, and medicinal plants. One species of borage, native to Europe and North Africa, has been used as a culinary herb sinc

Caraway, common name for a plant that has long been cultivated in temperate zones for its aromatic fruit, called caraway seeds. These seeds are used in cookery, confectionery, and medicine. The caraway plant is a biennial herb ; it grows up to 61 cm (up to 2 ft) high and has finely divided leaves and clusters of white flowers. The large oil glands of the seed contain caraway oil, which is used to flavor the liqueur aquavit. This oil is also used in perfumery and in pharmacy as an aromatic stimulant and as a flavoring agent. Scientific classification: The caraway plant belongs to the family Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae). It is classified as Carum carvi.

Wild Chamomile, a culinary herb with daisylike flowers that are dried and brewed as a soothing tea reputed to aid indigestion, calm muscle spasms, and relieve the pain and swelling of arthritis. A member of the composite flower family, it is also called sweet false chamomile and German chamomile, to distinguish it from the closely related true or Roman chamomile. Wild chamomile is native to the temperate regions of Europe and western Asia. It has become naturalized in North America, where it grows wild. It grows best in poor, sandy soil in full sun. Wild chamomile is an annual, a plant that lives only one growing season. It reaches about 60 to 75 cm (about 2 to 2.5 ft) in height and has an upright, branching main stem. The bright green leaves, about 5.5 cm (about 2.2 in) long, are strongly apple-scented and finely divided, resembling fern leaves. The flowerhead is about 2.5 cm (about 1 in) in diameter. The yellow center of the flowerhead, which consists of disk flowers, is hollow a

Chervil, common name for an aromatic annual herb of the parsley family. The species, native to Europe, reaches a height of about 61 cm (about 24 in) and bears small, deeply cut leaves. The plant is cultivated for the leaves, which are used as a potherb, seasoning, and garnish in the same way as parsley. Scientific classification: Chervil belongs to the family Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae). It is classified as Anthriscus cerefolium .

Cicely, also myrrh, anise fern, and sweet chervil, common name for an herb with leaves that smell strongly of anise or licorice, member of the carrot family. The name cicely is also used for a related genus of herbaceous perennials (plants that live at least three years and have nonwoody stems) with fleshy roots, tiny white or yellow flowers, and cylindrical fruit. Both the herb and the genus are also called sweet cicely. A native of Europe, cicely reaches about 1 m (about 3 ft) in height and has pale green, anise-scented, fernlike leaves that consist of three lance-shaped leaflets. The small, whitish flowers form umbrella-shaped clusters in early spring and late summer. The shiny, ribbed fruit is about 2.5 cm (about 1 in) long and grows in upright clusters. The cicely herb grows best in moist, shady sites and survives winter temperatures as low as -40° C (-40° F). It does not grow well in tropical or subtropical regions. The leaves, stems, and seed pods can be used to add an anise fl

Coriander, common name for an annual herb of the parsley family that grows to a height of about 30 to 90 cm (about 12 to 36 in). The lower leaves are divided into fine, threadlike partitions; the white and pink flowers grow in small, loose clusters. Native to Europe and Asia Minor, coriander has become naturalized in the United States. It is cultivated for its fruit, the dried seeds of which, also called coriander, are used as a spice in a wide variety of foods, and for its pungent leaves, called cilantro, a basic ingredient in Latin American and Asian cooking. Oil that is extracted from the seed is used in the preparation of liqueurs and is a medicine for abdominal discomfort.

Cress, common name for a number of herbs, most of which are used as garnishings or in salads for their pungent flavor and high vitamin C content. One of the most common cresses is watercress, a perennial that grows in brooks and springs or in wet ground. Garden cress, also called peppergrass, is an Asian annual sometimes cultivated in the United States. A similar native species is wild peppergrass, a common weed. The various species known as bitter cress include the cuckooflower, found in bogs and other wet areas in the northern United States. Indian cress is known as nasturtium, although it is not related to the garden nasturtium. Scientific classification: Cresses belong to the family Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae). Watercress is classified as Nasturtium officinale, garden cress as Lepidium sativum, wild peppergrass as Lepidium virginicum, and the cuckooflower as Cardamine pratensis.