The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Devil's gut (Cassytha filiformis), also paradoxically known as love vine, is a parasitic vine that grows throughout Earth's tropics. These plants feed off other plants' nutrients and have also been known to consume gall wasp larva nests. Because the vines frequently connect trees with crossing vines, they can make travel in their home territory difficult.

Emperor's candlesticks (Senna alata) is an annual that grows from 1.5 to 2.5 m tall. It has broad, evergreen leaves that were once used to treat ringworm. It grows in full sun with medium moisture. Flowers bloom in fall with blossoms that resemble yellow candles. Flowers give way to winged seedpods that add a colorful accent in winter.

An important food crop in some areas, zombi pea, or Vigna vexillata, is a perennial climbing plant that thrives in a variety of conditions. In addition to being cultivated for its tubers, it is also grown as a ground cover and green manure.

Baybean (Canavalia rosea) is a pantropical plant from the same family as the common pea and other legumes. Its seeds are so buoyant that they can float on ocean currents and be distributed far from the original parent plant. It is highly tolerant of salt and does well in sandy, well-drained soils.

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a fast-growing flowering plant species with ovular, waxy leaves. Water hyacinth is listed as a federal noxious weed in the United States. This species is invasive to ponds, lakes, rivers and other wetland habitats. It forms dense, floating mats of vegetation that restricts light to underwater environments.

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a flowering plant with a vine-like appearance native to Western Africa. Watermelon bears fruit that are widely cultivated and consumed across the world. Watermelon grow in tropical and temperate climates and requires warmth to grow. There are 1000 varieties around the world.

The crown Flower has beautiful flowers that are used to make leis and were a favorite of the last queen of Hawaii. The outer petals of this flower curl back, and reveal what looks like a crown inside. The sap of this plant may cause skin irritation and can be considered toxic.

The common lantana is a flowering plant that grows best in tropical environments. It spread outside the Americas when the Dutch brought it to Europe. The plant is generally regarded as an unwanted weed that reduces biodiversity. Additionally, it is toxic to livestock and harms the output of farmland.

Baobab (Adansonia digitata) is indigenous to Africa, Australia, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. It thrives in areas that are dry and hot. It lives longer than virtually all other living things, and there are specimens alive today that are 3,000 years old or more. It has a large, water-filled trunk that is 28 m or more in circumference.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is an annual grain legume that is an important crop in many regions. The plant has been used as forage for animals and for cow feed. It can be short and bushy or grow as a long vine up to 2 m tall. The edible seeds and seed pods are very small and kidney-shaped.

The grain of grain sorghum is utilized for human consumption, animal feed, and ethanol manufacturing. It is commonly grown in tropical and subtropical countries, originating in Africa. The grain is used to make liquor, animal feed, and bio-based ethanol, among other things.

Beach morning-glory (Ipomoea imperati) is a species of plant that scatters its seeds in seawater. The seedpod is buoyant and so can be carried away to populate new areas. This is why it’s been found on beaches on every single continent except for frigid Antarctica. Its flowers blossom in the morning and close their petals when afternoon rolls around, giving rise to its common name.

Although tabasco pepper, or Capsicum frutescens, grows wild in Central and South America, this type of pepper has been cultivated as a garden annual or short-lived perennial in other areas. There are also ornamental varieties of this species that are grown for the flashy colored fruit.

The delightful appearance of the obscure morning glory (Ipomoea obscura) flower is often paired with a seed pod stuffed with seeds, ready to spread far and wide. As with all genus Ipomoea members, the foliage of this plant is high in alkaloids, which can be very toxic if ingested.

Sida acuta is a flowering perennial in the mallow family that is known as common Wireweed. The plant gets its name from its tough, wiry stems and branches. Though common Wireweed is native to Central America and southern North America, this hardy plant has become invasive elsewhere - its wiriness, unfortunately, makes it very difficult to remove from the ground by hand.

Mung bean (Vigna radiata) is a plant in the legume family that is native to India and is mostly cultivated for culinary uses. It is considered a warm season crop and is both heat and drought-tolerant. Plant in early summer to harvest in fall.

Beach spider lily (Hymenocallis littoralis) is a bulbous perennial plant native to the south and eastern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Beach spider lily has a distinctive appearance and is often cultivated for ornamental eye-catching displays.

The bitter melon, which originated in Africa, is cultivated worldwide for its edible fruit. The bitter fruits come in various shapes and sizes and are commonly used in Asian cuisine. The fruits are sliced, sprinkled with salt, and then steeped in water to decrease their bitterness. For centuries, this climbing vine has been utilized as an herbal medicine throughout Asia and Africa.

Brazilian nightshade (Solanum seaforthianum) is a perennial woody vine that will grow to 6 m tall and 91 to 183 cm wide. It blooms in summer with bluish-purple blossoms. Flowers are fragrant and attract butterflies and bees. Produces scarlet red berries that attract birds. Thrives in full sun with medium moist well-drained soil.