Edible plants
Edible Plants
Edible plants are plants that can be consumed safely by humans. The term encompasses a wide range of plant types, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, grains, nuts, and seeds. Some edible plants are cultivated for consumption, while others can be found growing wild.
Pronunciation
- /ˈɛdɪbəl plænts/
Etymology
The term "edible plants" comes from the Latin word "edibilis" meaning "eatable," and the Old English word "plante" meaning "young tree or herb."
Types of Edible Plants
There are thousands of types of edible plants, but some of the most common include:
- Fruits: These are the mature ovaries of flowering plants, including apples, bananas, and oranges.
- Vegetables: These are other parts of plants, such as roots, stems, and leaves, that are consumed as food. Examples include carrots, spinach, and broccoli.
- Herbs: These are plants used for flavoring food, medicine, or perfume. Examples include basil, mint, and rosemary.
- Grains: These are small, hard, dry seeds, with or without an attached hull or fruit layer, harvested for human or animal consumption. Examples include wheat, rice, and corn.
- Nuts: These are a type of fruit composed of a hard shell and a seed, which is generally edible. Examples include almonds, walnuts, and peanuts.
- Seeds: These are a plant's unit of reproduction, capable of developing into another such plant. Some seeds are also edible, like sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds.
Related Terms
- Foraging: The act of searching for and collecting food resources in the wild, including edible plants.
- Agriculture: The science or practice of farming, including the cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products.
- Horticulture: The art or practice of garden cultivation and management, often involving the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Edible plants
- Wikipedia's article - Edible plants
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