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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Egyptian riverhemp is a fast-growing shrub popular both for foraging and for encouraging plant growth. Because egyptian riverhemp is nitrogen-fixing, it can provide nitrogen to neighboring crops, helping farmers increase their yield. Elsewhere, it has been used to help reclaim soil that has become too saline for crop growth.

Gum arabic tree (Vachellia nilotica) is a useful tree, with its distinctive yellow pom-pom flowers, and is also used as a forage plant. However, gum arabic tree has been so effective in countries where it has been introduced that it is classified as an invasive species in both Australia and the US.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a creeping vine native to South Asia. It has a long history of cultivation - mentions of its use are found in various ancient scripts, including the Bible, Epic of Gilgamesh and Pliny the Elder's "Natural History". Today, cucumber is one of the most widely cultivated vegetable species in the world.