Dlium

Chinese rhubarb ( Rheum officinale ) is a plant species in the Polygonaceae family. It is an erect, perennial plant that can reach a height of up to 2 meters, with a peduncle that may grow as tall as 3 meters. Its large, round or kidney-shaped leaves—which can span up to 75 cm in diameter—feature broadly toothed margins, a green color, and a rough, papery texture, with prominent veins and an undulating surface. R. officinale is recognized as a medicinal plant with a long and rich history in traditional Chinese medicine, dating back to 270 BC. Modern research has uncovered the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic properties of this species, which range from laxative, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects to hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activities. TAXON Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Subphylum: Angiospermae Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Caryophyllales Family: Polygonaceae Subfamily: Polygonoideae Tribe: Rumiceae Genus: Rheum L. in Sp. Pl.: 371 (1753) S...

Kiwano ( Cucumis metuliferus ) is a plant species in the Cucurbitaceae family. It is a vigorous, annual herbaceous plant with trailing or creeping stems and simple, solitary tendrils measuring 4–10.5 cm in length. The root system is robust and fibrous. The stems can reach several meters in length; they are grooved and covered in long, stiff, spreading hairs. The leaves are simple and arranged alternately. There are no stipules. The petioles are 3–12 cm long and setose (covered in stiff, bristle-like hairs). The leaf blades are ovate or pentagonal, measuring 3.5–14 cm by 3.5–13.5 cm, with 3–5 shallow, palmate lobes. The surface is covered in coarse hairs—particularly along the veins on the underside—and eventually develops a rough, speckled texture. The flowers are unisexual, symmetrical, and pentamerous (having parts in multiples of five). The sepals are filiform (thread-like) and 2–4 mm long. The petals are fused at the base, 0.5–1.5 cm long, and yellow in color. Male flowers appear ...

Hyacinth bean ( Lablab purpureus ) is a plant species in the Fabaceae family. It is a perennial herb or shrub that grows either as a climber or in an upright habit, featuring a taproot with numerous lateral roots. The stems can reach up to 6 meters in length and may be hairy or glabrous (smooth/hairless). The leaves are arranged alternately and consist of three leaflets. The stipules are ovate, 5 mm long, curved outward, and persistent (remaining attached). The petioles (leaf stalks) are 1–18 cm long, with a rachis up to 4.5 cm long. The stipellae (small stipules at the base of the leaflets) are lanceolate. The leaflets are triangular-ovate, measuring up to 15 cm × 14 cm, with an acuminate (tapered) apex, entire (smooth) margins, and surfaces that may be hairy or glabrous. The inflorescence is a false raceme, emerging from the leaf axils and bearing numerous flowers. The peduncle (main flower stalk) is 2–40 cm long, with a rachis up to 25 cm long. The bracts are ovate-lanceolate, 4 mm...