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.

The ti plant is a palm-like shrub that symbolizes the connection between the living and the dead for some Austronesian cultures, having many ceremonial purposes. In practical terms, ti plant is used to make dyes and is grown for ornamentation.

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.

Hawai'i desert-thorn, a resilient shrub native to coastal areas, typically showcases slender, spiky leaves and small purple flowers that thrive in the nutrient-poor, sandy soils of its habitat. This hardy plant is adapted to withstand strong winds and salt spray, making it a stalwart presence in its arid, seaside environment.

Giant potato creeper is perfect for adding a tropical flare to any garden. Its unique flowers attract hummingbirds. Caution: all parts of the plant are toxic when eaten raw.

Experts consider johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) to be one of the ten worst weeds in the world. If frost or heat causes the plant to wilt, it can produce enough hydrogen cyanide to kill livestock. It grows at such a prodigious rate, it can choke out other crops. It’s named after Colonel William Johnson, an Alabama plantation owner who sowed lots of its seed around 1840.

Mexican fireplant is native to tropical America, but it has been naturalized in other tropical and subtropical regions in the world. *Euphorbia heterophylla* is a poisonous plant to humans and livestock. It contains a toxic milky sap which can cause strong skin irritation.

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.

Wandering Jew has been introduced to North America where it is considered a noxious weed. It can be highly invasive - spreading across crops and pastures, outcompeting more desirable plants.

Sophora tomentosa, also known as necklacepod, yellow necklacepod, and occasionally as silver bush, is a pantropical shrub or small tree in the family Fabaceae. It commonly ranges in height from 1.2 to 3 m and often occurs in coastal conditions and near wetlands. The common name Necklacepod is derived from the characteristic string of seed pods that develop after its yellow flowers germinate into seeds. Necklacepod is a nectar plant for bees, butterflies, and in parts of the Americas hummingbirds as well. It is suggested for use by native plant enthusiasts in Florida as a good landscape plant for xeriscaping but it only naturally occurs in coastal counties in the central and southern part of the state, while closely related varieties occur in Texas, and the Caribbean. The variety of Necklacepod growing in Australia is considered an endangered species in some areas due to the clearing of coastal habitat and displacement by invasive species. In Sri Lanka, the plant is known as Moodu Murunga. The inedible pod has some similarities to the Murunga (Drumstick) pod. It has been used to make fish poisons, insect and spider repellents etc., esp in Africa.

Pepper elder (Peperomia pellucida) is a perennial flowering plant that blooms all year. The entire pepper elder plant is edible and can be eaten raw or cooked.

Manyspike flatsedge is appropriately named since it is a low-growing sedge with dramatically spiked seed heads. It has little ornamental appeal but often occurs as a garden weed. A common sight in man-made environments, it can be found in the wild around wetland margins. The distinctive seedpods appear in late summer and early fall.

Adlay, or Coix lacryma-jobi, is a type of grain native to Asia. Early records show it was used to brew beer as early as 3000 B.C., while the hard grains were also used as beads for necklaces. This type of millet is a tropical perennial grain.

Tropical almond is grown commonly as an ornamental tree. It is prized for its ability to provide shade with its large leaves. These leaves are commonly used in aquariums by fish breeders for their ability to lower the pH and heavy metal content of the water. Although the fruit of the tropical almond is edible, the taste is slightly acidic.

Arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum) is a beautiful foliage plant, one of the most popular species of the Araceae family. Due to its air purifying qualities and good looks, arrowhead plant is often cultivated as a houseplant. Every part of this plant is toxic, so it's best to keep it away from kids and pets.

Beach naupaka (Scaevola sericea) is a dense shrub that grows as high as 3 m tall. It grows in dry coastal areas in tropical climates. The fruit of beach naupaka floats and can germinate even after being in salt water for as long as a year.

The southern maidenhair fern is known for its extract, which is often used to make an oil that is an ingredient in shampoo. The fern is also unique because it can shed water without feeling wet. These plants are easy to grow in shade or bright indirect light and thrive in moist but not soggy soil.

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.

You will find simpleleaf chastetree (Vitex trifolia) growing as a large shrub in coastal tropical climates from East Africa to Polynesia. The plant's Latin name 'Vitex' dates all the way back to the writings of Pliny, and 'trifloria' refers to the way the shrub's leaves grow in groups of three.

Chamber bitter is blooms in summer. Its striking branched leaf pattern makes it an attractive ornamental, but it is a weedy plant that takes careful management to stop its seeds from spreading to unwanted areas. It is considered invasive in the southern United States.