Apple of Sodom, or Calotropis procera, is an extremely poisonous plant. The fruit of this plant ripens and bursts, causing the seeds to scatter. In Jamaica, the fibers inside of the fruit are collected and used to stuff pillows.

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.

Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is a fast-growing, deciduous tree that can reach impressive heights. In its native country of India, the moringa is popularly cultivated and harvested for its fruit and leaves. These components of the tree are then used as a source of food and oil extracted from the tree can be incorporated into cosmetics.

Neem tree (*Azadirachta indica*) is a flowering tree species related to mahogany and with an appearance similar to that of the chinaberry tree. For centuries, it has played an important role in Indian culture. Commercially, the neem tree is used to produce neem oil, pesticides, and cosmetics.

The apple-ring acacia (Faidherbia albida) is a thorny tree from Africa and the Middle East. A versatile species, it can grow in dry floodplains, swamps, riverbanks, and across savannahs. The ring-shaped seed pods are favorites of livestock and wildlife alike. The apple-ring acacia's wood is used as firewood and to make canoes, and soap can be made from the ashes.

The common bushweed (*Flueggea virosa*) is a bushy shrub that produces white, waxy fruits favored by animals and birds. Native to Southern Africa on woodland margins and riverbanks, it has also become naturalized in Hawaii and parts of China, where it is invasive and disruptive to local ecosystems. Common bushweed branches are regularly used to create handmade fish traps.

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.

Royal poinciana (Delonix regia) is also known as the “peacock tree” or the “flamboyant tree.” It’s a Madagascar native and is known for its brilliant crimson or red-yellow flowers. It grows exceedingly fast, reaching its maximum height of around 12 m in a short amount of time.

Found throughout Africa and into the Arabian Peninsula, umbrella thorn acacia (Vachellia tortilis) thrives in desert conditions, and its pods and leaves provide much needed food for desert animals. It is named for its umbrella shape and the thorns that grow in pairs along its branches. Many birds next in the umbrella thorn acacia, using the thorns and high branches for protection.

Balsam spurge is a squat, dense shrub with unusually thick branches that make it simple to identify in its native Canary Islands and West Africa. The island of Lanzarote uses balsam spurge's image as its plant symbol on maps and documents. This plant is resistant to termites, is highly wind-resistant, and can grow in exposed coastal locations.

Aroma (Dichrostachys cinerea) is a legume species as known as sicklebush, Bell mimosa, Chinese lantern tree and Kalahari Christmas tree. Aroma is native to Africa, the Indian subcontinent and North Australia. This species is a serious invasive species problem in Cuba.

The indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) makes a delightful addition to subtropical gardens. Don't expect to find a non-cultivated variety! Over 400 cultivars of this specimen have developed over its staggering 4,000 years of domestication by humans. In Burma, the fruit is processed into a dark dye used in coloring delicate silks.

Wild custard apple is a common fruit in African markets, sought for its pineapple-like smell, sweet taste and use for flavoring ice cream and other treats. It is also frequently grazed by livestock, and its bark is sometimes used to make insecticides.

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.”

Madagascar screw palm is said to have obtained its common name from the spiraling formation of its leaves and the resemblance its fruit has to pine cones. Madagascar screw palm has been introduced to many areas as an ornamental, with little evidence of negative environmental impact. Its leaves are sometimes used to make mats and baskets.

Boscia senegalensis, commonly known as hanza, is a member of the family Capparaceae. The plant originated from West Africa. Still a traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known fruit has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare. Boscia senegalensis is a perennial woody plant species of the genus Boscia in the caper family, Capparaceae. This plant is classified as a dicot. Native to the Sahel region in Africa, this evergreen shrub can grow anywhere from 2 to 4 m (6 ft 7 in to 13 ft 1 in) in height under favourable conditions. The leaves of the plant are small and leathery, reaching 12 cm × 4 cm (4.7 in × 1.6 in). B. senegalensis produces fruits, clustered in small bunches, in the form of yellow spherical berries, up to 1.5 cm (0.59 in) in diameter. These fruits contain 1–4 seeds, which are a greenish hue when mature. Boscia senegalensis is recognized as a potential solution to hunger and a buffer against famine in the Sahel region due to the variety of useful products it yields. It produces products for consumption, household needs, and medicinal and agricultural uses. Common names include: aizen (Mauritania and Western Sahara), mukheit (Arabic), hanza (Hausa), bere (Bambara), ngigili (Fulani), mandiarha (Berber), anza (Zarma) and 'taedent (Tamasheq). The fruits are also known as dilo (Hausa), bokkhelli (Arabic), gigile (Fulani) and kanduwi (Tamasheq).

Red frangipani (Plumeria rubra) is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Central and South America. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical climates. All parts of the plant are toxic when ingested due to their high alkaloid content.

River she-oak (Casuarina cunninghamiana) is a species of evergreen tree that is native to Australia. Its common name includes "oak" because its wood was viewed as strong and sturdy, comparable to English oak. Casuarina cunninghamiana is often planted to stabilize soil at riverbanks and it makes a good fuelwood that was once commonly used for heating bread ovens.

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.

The octopus tree is a large evergreen tree known for its distinctive drooping leaves. These leaves have earned it the nicknames "octopus tree" and "Australian umbrella tree." It is native to the Queensland area of Australia. Its root system is aggressive, however, so it can become invasive and choke out other species.