It can grow to 25 m in height, with a stem diameter of up to 16 cm, but is more typically 15 to 20 m tall and 12 cm in diameter.

American oil palm is a majestic tropical palm, often towering with a smooth, columnar trunk and a striking crown of long pinnate leaves. Its robust stature allows it to stand resilient under the intense sun, while its feather-like foliage sways in the gentlest of breezes. This palm is distinguished by large, woody fruits that provide valuable oils, reflecting its adaptation to and symbiosis with its environment. American oil palm's presence is emblematic of the rich biodiversity found in its native habitats.

Bamboo palm (Oenocarpus mapora) is an evergreen palm that you can see growing in lowland rain forests in many areas of South and Central America. This palm is harvested for various food products including seeds. oil, leaves, and the apical bud. The leaves of this bountiful plant are used to make baskets.

Iriartea deltoidea is a majestic palm native to Central and South American rainforests. Boasting a strikingly tall and smooth, ringed trunk, iriartea deltoidea reaches for the canopy with feathery fronds that form a symmetrical crown. The stilted roots of iriartea deltoidea anchor it firmly in the wet soil, offering stability and nutrient access amidst the dense vegetation. Its distinctive, delta-shaped leaf bases are easily recognizable and support its lush, high-reaching foliage.

Chamaedorea pinnatifrons is a tropical, understory palm distinguished by its slender, arching stems and feathery, pinnate leaves. This petite palm thrives in the dappled sunlight of its natural forest habitat, which allows for its delicate foliage to flourish without the scorching effects of direct sunlight. Its attractive appearance makes it a popular choice for indoor ornamental use, as it adapts well to container living and lower light conditions typical of interior spaces.

Common bean is one of the most widely produced cash crops in the world, with 23.6 million tons grown in 2016. China is the largest producer of common bean, accounting for 79% of the market share. While common bean is known as a staple food source, the leaves can be used to trap bedbugs and the beans are widely used in a type of fortune-telling called "pharmancy".

The heart of jesus is a poisonous leafy plant. Its paper-thin, heart-shaped leaves lend the plant its common nickname, along with names like "angel wings" and "elephant ear." Though native to South America, its primary hub of cultivation is now around Lake Placid, Florida, where it has become a popular centerpiece for an annual festival.

Papaya is a fruit-bearing plant that originates from Central America. The fruits are edible and sweet and juicy when ripe. An enzyme collected from the milky sap is used as a meat softener, which if ingested may be toxic. Keeping a papaya plant in your garden will welcome many birds to your landscape.

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.

Tree-of-life (Mauritia flexuosa) is an extremely useful plant that is widely used by the indigenous people in the region between Orinoco and Amazonas as a basis for food, clothes, and shelter. The leaves and trunks of the tree are used to create shelters.

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a tropical plant native to southern India and Southeast Asia. It is most commonly grown as a root vegetable and has a wide variety of culinary uses. Taro is considered one of the most ancient crops in history.

Guava (*Psidium guajava*) is a fruit-producing evergreen shrub that grows natively in the Caribbean region and South America. Guava attracts the honey bee and other insects, and guava fruit is edible. Additionally, guava wood is used for smoking meat.

Maize (Zea mays) is a well known domesticated cereal grain first domesticated in Mexico. In much of the world it is also called corn. Worldwide cultivation of maize surpasses other prominent grains like wheat and rice. Maize must be planted in the spring due to its intolerance for cold weather.

Spiked pepper can be found throughout most of Central and South America. It is known for its intense peppery fragrance. It is quick to colonize clearings and grazing land, but livestock will not eat it, so spiked pepper is often considered a weed.