Pomelo (*Citrus grandis*) is a greenish, tropical and subtropical fruit originally that is larger than any other citrus fruit on the planet (thus the species name - 'grandis'). Though it is the ancestor of the commonly cultivated grapefruit (citrus x paradisi), the pomelo has a thick, hard-to-peel rind and doesn’t have a lot of juice. Nevertheless, it is commonly eaten in Southeast Asia.

Golden shower tree (Cassia fistula) is a plant that is found in tropical and subtropical regions. It is at its peak during the middle of the summer. Golden shower tree is both the national flower and tree of Thailand. The Latin name "Cassia" comes from "Kassia", which means "fragrant plant." It holds a sacred place in scriptures like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) is a tree species that germinates in cracks and crevices of other trees or structures. Banyan tree grows by emitting aerial roots and forming a canopy. The banyan tree is the national tree of the Republic of India and has religious significance.

Gray mangrove (Avicennia marina) is an important salt-loving tree that is used extensively to prevent coastal erosion. It is also extremely important to the fishing industry, particularly in Australia, where it provides protected waters for the young of many commercial species. It is not only ecologically important but economically too -- the bark is used to make dark red and brown dyes, while the wood has many crafting uses. Take care, as the seeds of gray mangrove are toxic.

Carambola (Averrhoa carambola) is a tree that’s indigenous to lush and steamy regions of Southeast Asia. Another name for it is star fruit. People call it this because when you slice it in half, you’ll see an unmistakable star shape. Not only is the fruit tasty, but it also reportedly has health benefits.

Tamarind is a monotypic perennial tree grown for its timber and edible fruits. Tamarind trees yield brown seed fruits with a sweet, acidic pulp used in various varieties of cuisines around the world. The pulp is also used as a metal polish.

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.

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.

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.

Pride of India (*Lagerstroemia speciosa*) is a small to medium-sized tree that can grow up to 20 m tall with smooth, flaky bark. Pride of India is native to tropical southern Asia. This species is also known as the giant crepe-myrtle, Queen's crepe-myrtle, and the banana plant.

Saraca dives is a sacred tree among Buddhists. According to legend, Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born under the canopy of this tree. The tree also symbolizes love in the Buddhist religion. Thanks to its large, showy flowers, this small tree is often used as an ornamental plant.

Citron (*Citrus medica*) is a citrus species whose use dates back to the days of Ancient Greece, with preserved pollen indicating its cultivation at least 2,500 years ago. Although it looks scrumptious, this lemon-like citrus is mostly composed of rind and has very little pulp. This variety of citrus actually predates lemons, which were selectively bred into what we know today. The citron fruit is used in various religious ceremonies in the Mediterranean region and elsewhere.

Sacred fig or Ficus religiosa, gets its name because it is considered sacred to Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. Although a member of the mulberry family, the sap of the sacred fig may cause skin reactions if handled.

Earleaf acacia (Acacia auriculiformis) is an evergreen tree that can grow from 20 to 27 m tall. It is a fast-growing tree with a gnarly trunk and is often multi-stemmed. It blooms in spring with yellowish-orange spiked clusters. Each tree produces about 47,000 seeds per year. It is becoming an invasive tree, displacing vegetation and native plants.

Peach is native to Northwest China. China, Spain, and Italy are the top three producers of peaches world-wide. The peach is also the state fruit of Georgia. Peach production in the US in 2017 was valued at $599 million. The fruit has a yellow or white flesh, a sweet aroma, and a skin that is either velvety (peaches) or smooth (nectarines).

Orchid Tree (Bauhinia purpurea) is a flowering deciduous tree species native to India and Myanmar. Its hard wood is useful in cabinetry and tools. Its genus name Bauhinia is to commemorate the botanist Bauhin. It produces purple flowers every spring and is designated as the city flower of Hong Kong, China.

The famous traditional medicine known as dragon's blood comes from the cambodian dragon tree. This plant is now classified as an endangered species due to its extremely limited distribution and overexploitation. This easy-to-care-for plant is native to Cambodia and is well-known for its medicinal and ornamental properties.

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) is an evergreen tree native to Asia and Australia. It is one of the most popular houseplants in the world, known for its elegant, glossy leaves. However, people with allergies should avoid weeping fig, considering that it is a major source of indoor allergens. All parts of the plant are poisonous except the fruits.

As its name implies, the fiddle-leaf fig has leaves that are shaped like a violin. Wildly popular as a houseplant, the Ficus lyrata makes an architectural statement with its unique and lush leaves. However, please be aware that this plant is finicky and can be hard to keep alive.

Another name for rubbertree (Cerbera manghas) is sea mango. It thrives near mangrove forests in coastal environments. It’s a popular ornamental plant in Hawaii. Be wary if you come across one because the fruits and leaves contain cerberin, which is poisonous.