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.

Pond lovegrass has historically been used as animal fodder or a forage crop, even a cereal crop during times of famine. This erect annual grass can be naturally found in disturbed areas such as roadsides. It flowers through late summer and autumn and prefers sun. The grass has been utilized in flower beds, although it has invasive weed potential.

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.

Mauritanian convolvulus is a fast-growing, tropical vine often found entwined in trees of dense forests. Its heart-shaped leaves and large, trumpet-shaped flowers are distinct, frequently alluring to pollinators. The plant thrives in warm, moist conditions, its tendrils climbing towards sunlight, elegantly displaying purplish or pale pink blooms that signal a lush, fertile environment.

Hypoestes forskaolii is a visually striking perennial with mottled pink and green foliage. Its spade-shaped leaves, often used for ornamental purposes, thrive under partial shade, hinting at its preference for understory habitats. This plant's ability to flourish with indirect sun illuminates its adaptability to interior environments, making it a favored houseplant selection.

The indian jointvetch is unique because its true native origin is unclear. The plant is also called Aeschynomene indica and can be found in parts of Africa, Asia, Australia and the southeastern United States. This plant is toxic and cannot be eaten by animals. Instead, it can be transformed into pesticides or gunpowder.

The red-leaved fig (Ficus ingens) has an aggressive root system famous for pushing through rocks and helping the plant thrive on cliff faces and other rocky areas. New leaves sprout red before turning green. Its figs, which grow white before maturing to pink, red or purple, peak in summer but can be found year-round.

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.

Andropogon pseudapricus is a resilient grass native to dry, open landscapes, adapting to harsh conditions with its deep roots and tall, slender stems. Its clumping growth pattern and fluffy seed heads, which appear in the warmer months, aid in dispersal by wind. Gracefully swaying, the plant provides shelter to fauna and stabilizes soil.

While eared redstem (Ammannia auriculata) isn't an invasive species, it is often found growing in rice paddies as a weed. One is most likely to notice it in spring, when it produces orange-purple flowers. This plant has a history of use in traditional medicine.

Spreading sweetjuice is a low-growing, radiating herb distinguished by succulent leaves arranged in a rosette form. Its small, star-shaped white flowers emerge in clusters, adapted to attract pollinators in its native arid environments. Spreading sweetjuice thrives in sandy soils, indicating its preference for well-drained conditions, and has developed fleshy leaves to retain moisture, a testament to its resilience under drought stress.

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.

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.

The plant grows commonly in Yemen, where it is called Meru. In the 18th century the plant's Arabic name Meru was used as the source for the genus name Maerua. The 18th-century taxonomist was Peter Forskal, who visited Yemen in the 1760s.

African asparagus comprise a diverse genus of evergreen plants that can grow as lianas, bushes, or climbing plants. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, from rainforest to semi-desert regions. All african asparagus species vary in their appearance, which is dependent on their native habitat. Some species are grown as vegetables, and others are grown as ornamentals.

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.

Cabbage tree’s flowers attract pollinating insects while the seeds are a food source for local bat colonies. Found growing primarily along streams and other waterways, the tree is easily identifiable by its bark which smells like cabbage. It is also why it is referred to as the 'cabbage tree.'

Uhaloa (Waltheria indica) is a small shrub in the mallow family that can be found growing in tropical regions across the world. Not a particularly showy plant, uhaloa has small white flowers that grow in clusters. Because it can tolerate drought, salt spray, and slightly salty soil, the species is sometimes used in ecological restoration projects.