Plants of Pompeii
Over the years archaeologists have learned what types of plants grew in the town of Pompeii and the surrounding countryside at the time Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. Some of the woody plants and vines they have identified thus far include the following.
Butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is a semi-evergreen shrub in the lily family. The plant has been used medicinally. In addition, people during ancient times sometimes ate the crisp young shoots.
Several types of citrus were grown in Pompeii. The lemon was cultivated for its edible fruits. The seeds yield an oil. The peel as well as the oil of lemon has been used as an herbal remedy.
Sweet orange provides delicious fruits. The fruit peel has many uses. The seeds yield an oil that shows up in soaps. Oil of sweet orange has many uses from flavorings to perfume.
Lime fruits were also grown in Pompeii and prized for their juice. Oil from the fruit has many uses. The seeds yield an oil that has been used for soaps.
The pistachio tree provides scrumptious nuts. These are also a source of oil. Galls from the leaves have been used for tanning.
The boxwood or box is a small tree or shrub. It was grown as an ornamental but also provided a wood that was used for various purposes.
The myrtle tree was much grown in ancient times. The dried and green fruits are sometimes used as a condiment. The leaves are the source of myrtle oil, which is used medicinally. The tree also yields a useful wood.
The blossoms and twigs were used symbolically to represent beauty and youth. Myrtle was dedicated to Venus, also known as Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
Bloodtwig dogwood is a lovely shrub grown as an ornamental. The wood has been used for various purposes.
Pomegranate was grown as an ornamental as well as a fruit tree. The fruits have many culinary uses. The fruit peels have been used for tanning. The bark has been used medicinally.
The English ivy is a woody vine grown as an ornamental. The twigs have been used in dyeing. The wood has been used in engraving. The leaves have served as a laundry aid.
European privet is a shrub or small tree that is grown as an ornamental. The wood has been used for various items, including charcoal. The bark has been used as a dye, while the fruits are used for dye and ink. The twigs are made into baskets.
Butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is a semi-evergreen shrub in the lily family. The plant has been used medicinally. In addition, people during ancient times sometimes ate the crisp young shoots.
Several types of citrus were grown in Pompeii. The lemon was cultivated for its edible fruits. The seeds yield an oil. The peel as well as the oil of lemon has been used as an herbal remedy.
Sweet orange provides delicious fruits. The fruit peel has many uses. The seeds yield an oil that shows up in soaps. Oil of sweet orange has many uses from flavorings to perfume.
Lime fruits were also grown in Pompeii and prized for their juice. Oil from the fruit has many uses. The seeds yield an oil that has been used for soaps.
The pistachio tree provides scrumptious nuts. These are also a source of oil. Galls from the leaves have been used for tanning.
The boxwood or box is a small tree or shrub. It was grown as an ornamental but also provided a wood that was used for various purposes.
The myrtle tree was much grown in ancient times. The dried and green fruits are sometimes used as a condiment. The leaves are the source of myrtle oil, which is used medicinally. The tree also yields a useful wood.
The blossoms and twigs were used symbolically to represent beauty and youth. Myrtle was dedicated to Venus, also known as Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
Bloodtwig dogwood is a lovely shrub grown as an ornamental. The wood has been used for various purposes.
Pomegranate was grown as an ornamental as well as a fruit tree. The fruits have many culinary uses. The fruit peels have been used for tanning. The bark has been used medicinally.
The English ivy is a woody vine grown as an ornamental. The twigs have been used in dyeing. The wood has been used in engraving. The leaves have served as a laundry aid.
European privet is a shrub or small tree that is grown as an ornamental. The wood has been used for various items, including charcoal. The bark has been used as a dye, while the fruits are used for dye and ink. The twigs are made into baskets.
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