The desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) is an important shrub in Africa because it provides edible fruit that grows in many conditions, from arid to flooded climates and in very poor soils. The plant is also used as wood for furniture, tools, and fuel. This tree is truly multipurpose since its sticky gum is also an effective glue.

The doum palm is a dioecious palm and grows up to 17 m high. The trunk, which can have a girth of up to 90 cm, branches dichotomously and has tufts of large leaves at the ends of the branches. The bark is fairly smooth, dark grey and bears the scars of fallen leaves.

Native to the African savanna, monkey guava (Diospyros mespiliformis) is an important food source for African animals. Grazing animals typically eat its leaves, while jackals, in particular, are fond of its fruit, leading to another nickname: jackalberry. It frequently grows over termite mounds because the termites aerate the soil around it, while it offers them protection from the sun.

Swollen fingergrass (Chloris barbata) is a common grass in tropical and subtropical regions including the Pacific islands. It spreads rapidly in disturbed land, overgrazed fields, and road verges and can grow in saline soils. Although it is not highly palatable, cattle will eat the young grass.

With its self-supporting growth form, the Setaria helvola has simple, broad leaves with white flowers. It's widely known as a common weed that grows in lawns, sidewalks, and other places. It can grow from 20 cm to well over a meter. All of its leaf blades are hairless on the upper surfaces and can measure up to 30 cm long.

Egyptian grass is native to Africa and can function to anchor loose soil or sand. Because it always shows up on barren land and grows quickly, it is considered an invasive species in the United States and some other regions.

Desert rose is widely cultivated as a houseplant or as bonsai for its beautiful flowers. As a succulent plant originating from the Sahara and tropical Africa and Arabia, it requires a minimum temperature of 10 ℃ to survive. Its sap was used to poisoning arrows in Africa.

Asian spiderflower (Arivela viscosa) flourishes in warm humid regions globally. This versatile plant grows up to 1 m tall. Products made with asian spiderflower are used in food stores to prevent certain weevil infestations. Its tiny seeds can be carried on the wind or stick to fur or clothing.

Powderbark gardenia is characterized by its lustrous, dark green leaves and highly fragrant, creamy-white flowers that bloom in the warmer seasons. This evergreen shrub thrives in well-drained soils, often found in sunny to partially shaded natural habitats. Its compact form and shiny foliage make powderbark gardenia a popular ornamental choice, with flowers that attract various pollinators. Remarkably, the fruit grows into woody capsules, giving powderbark gardenia an additional ornamental dimension.

Jungle rice (Echinochloa colona) is a fast-growing summer grass that requires heat and moisture. It looks similar to commercial rice plants and is considered a noxious weed in rice fields. It can be eaten by animals including water buffaloes.

Flame lily (Gloriosa superba) is a climbing flowering plant also known as the tiger claw, fire lily, and creeping lily. Flame lily attracts sunbirds and butterflies. This plant is extremely toxic when ingested.

Flat-top mille graines (Oldenlandia corymbosa) is an annual flowering plant native to Africa, the Middle East, and much of southern Asia. It grows easily and has spread all over the world's tropics and subtropics. Flat-top mille graines has found many uses. The leaves are rich in vitamin C and can be cooked alongside other vegetables, while the roots are used to make green dye.

Floating water primrose lives in swampy parts of the tropics and subtropics all over the world, but its original native territory is uncertain. As the name suggests, floating water primrose can float on water. It can quickly become a weed around irrigation channels and crops like rice or jute.

Found throughout Africa and into the Arabian Peninsula, umbrella thorn acacia (Vachellia tortilis) thrives in desert conditions, and its pods and leaves provide much needed food for desert animals. It is named for its umbrella shape and the thorns that grow in pairs along its branches. Many birds next in the umbrella thorn acacia, using the thorns and high branches for protection.

Rhodes grass is a versatile grass that is useful as forage for livestock or for making hay. Plant breeders have developed numerous cultivars of this grass for different growing conditions and uses in tropical and subtropical regions.

Hooked bristlegrass (Setaria verticillata) is an annual grass species native to Europe but naturalized around the world. It is often considered a noxious weed. The inflorescence is equipped with many tiny spikes and bristles, which helps the grass spread its seeds by getting stuck in animal fur and carried across distances.

Musky stork's bill (Erodium moschatum) is a flowering herb in the geranium family. It is a weedy annual that will grow to 38 cm tall. It forms a light green rosette and displays a faint musky odor. Pretty pinkish purple flowers bloom in clusters from summer through fall. It produces a distinctive fruit that is long and resembles a stork's bill. It is commonly found in meadows and fields.

The prickly sida (Sida spinosa) is a broadleaf herb that commonly invades crops, roadsides and pastures and is frequently viewed as a weed. Small flowers bloom during bright mornings mid-summer to early fall, attracting various types of bees and butterflies.

Coffee senna (*Senna occidentalis*) is a perennial shrub that prefers warm and humid environments. It is sometimes considered an invasive weed that grows in open woodlands, waste areas, and roadsides. It blooms in spring with yellow flowers, followed by brown fruit in late summer and early fall. Seeds can be used as a coffee substitute, although it does not contain caffeine.

Cucumis melo includes a variety of melons, including honeydew, cantaloupe, and muskmelon. These melons are an excellent source of vitamins A and C and are commonly eaten fresh or dried. It is occasionally turned into oil or liqueur.