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.

Saguaro (*Carnegiea gigantea*) is a well-known perennial cactus that grow in arid desert plains. Native Americans ate the fruit from the saguaro and made fences and shelters out of the cactus body. Owls and other birds make nests in this species.

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) is an evergreen, flowering shrub that is named for its fragrant aroma. Creosote bush is said to smell like creosote and is often associated with the smell of rain. Its yellow flowers bloom during spring and throughout the year. This species grows best in full sun and tolerates a variety of soil conditions.

Snake plant can be considered a houseplant and an architectural display due to its sword-like leaves with bold striping patterns, which are distinctive and eye-catching. However, use caution with this plant because it is poisonous when ingested and can cause nausea, vomiting, and even swelling of the throat and tongue.

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is a flowering plant species native to the southwestern United States. Ocotillo is most commonly found in the Sonoran Desert and Chihuahuan Desert. While it grows in the same conditions as cacti, ocotillo is not technically a cactus. This species yields branches which can be used for walking sticks, and its flowers can be turned into herbal tea. In cultivation, ocotillo can be planted throughout the year in arid regions as a living fence.

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) is an evergreen, slow-growing perennial shrub native to tropical Africa. Also, it is a classic houseplant, grown in Europe since the 1800s. Its glossy green foliage that resembles corn leaves grow on top of a thick cane, which is why the plant is sometimes called “false palm tree.”

Aloe vera is an evergreen succulent species native to the Arabian Peninsula. The thick leaves are filled with gooey flesh that stores water for survival in its native desert territories. Aloe vera has become a popular houseplant and is also incorporated into a wide range of cosmetics and skin-care products.

Elephant bush (*Portulacaria afra*) is a succulent native to South Africa, easily recognized by its small, rounded green leaves and crimson stems. This cute semi-evergreen succulent is cultivated as an ornamental, most commonly in escaping, and as a bonsai plant.

Tamarisk is a hardy shrub or small tree with feathery leaves and plumes of showy flowers. It is easy to grow and works well as a hedge or windshield. Its tamarisk, refers to its ability to tolerate salt water. The shrub uses special glands to excrete the salt through its leaves.

Portulaca oleracea, colloquially known as common purslane, is an annual succulent species with reddish stems and tiny yellow, five-petal flowers. It is used for culinary purposes in various parts of the world, most often raw, in salads. Common purslane is also a good companion plant for crops that thrive in moist soils.

Jerusalem thorn (Parkinsonia aculeata) is a plant species that can also be commonly known as palo verde, palo de rayo or jerusalem thorn. The common name jerusalem thorn is a mistranslation of the word girasole, which means turning toward the sun.

Chinese hibiscus is a small flowering tree. Its fragrant flowers are well known the world over, leading to many cultivated variants. Chinese hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia and is featured on Malaysian coins. Although the Latin name, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, means “the rose of China,” it is not related to true roses.

Organ pipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi) is a cactus found in Mexico and the southwestern United States. The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona within the United States is named after the organ pipe cactus. This species grows in rocky deserts and is called pitaya dulce, or sweet cactus fruit, in Mexico.

Tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) is a wild tobacco species native to South America. On other continents, tree tobacco is considered an invasive species. All parts of this plant are poisonous.

Persea americana, widely known as the avocado plant, is an evergreen tree (semi-deciduous in cooler climates) that is native to Central America. It is cultivated all over the world for its nutritious fruits. Avocado has become an important plant in many cuisines due to its high nutrient and fat content, creamy texture, and distinct taste.

Brittlebush grows up to 30 to 150 cm tall, with fragrant leaves. It is a desert shrub that is native to Northern Mexico and the Southwestern United States and gets its name from the brittleness of its stems. It has bright yellow-orange flowers and a resin harvested from the bottom of the stems can be used as a type of glue.

The madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is an evergreen subshrub or herbaceous plant. It has a long history of cultivation. Over the years, many cultivars have been developed, most commonly with the aim of incorporating new colors or making the plant more tolerant to cold.

Sweet basil is a species of mint plant native to Asia and Africa. It is a popular houseplant, and thrives when it receives plenty of regular sun and water. This plant is also easy to transfer from one soil environment to another. The edible sweet basil leaves can be eaten fresh or dried with pizza, salads, soups, teas, and many other dishes.