Purple Basil

Ocimum basilicum

 Appearance: Purple basil has egg-shaped leaves that grow in pairs along its stem. It is differentiated from regular basil by the color of its leaves, which are dark purple. Its flowers are white or purple and grow on a spike. 

A legend says that when St. Constantine and Helen    discovered the Holy Cross, the basil plant grew near it. Basil gets its name from the Latin for “king.” The writer of the Psalms reminds us that God is the great king of the earth. 

For the LORD Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.
                                                                                                                                       Psalm 47:2      NIV

Pecan

Carya illinoinensis

 Appearance: The pecan is a deciduous tree that grows up to 130.’ The leaves of the pecan have many leaflets that grow opposite each other on the stem. Pecan nuts grow inside a thick husk. 

When Jacob’s sons returned to Egypt to talk to Joseph, they brought him a gift of nuts. 

And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this: take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds. 
                                                                                                                          Genesis 43:11      KJV

Pea

Pisum sativum

 Appearance: Peas are in the bean family. They have vines with curling tendrils. Their leaves have many leaflets that grow opposite one another on the vine.  Peas grow in pods.

Beans, including peas and lentils, were one of the staple foods for people in the Bible. In the story of Jacob and Esau, Esau sold his birthright for lentil stew. 

And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
                                                                                                                      Genesis 25:33-34      KJV

Lamb’s Ear

Stachys byzantina

 Appearance: The Lamb’s Ear is a low-lying plant  with thick light green leaves covered in soft hairs. Their flowers bloom in spikes and are white, light pink, or light purple. 

The origin of this plant’s name is obvious: the pale furry leaves are very similar to the ear of a lamb. Jesus is called the Lamb of God.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
                                                                                                                         John 1:29      KJV

Japanese Maple

Acer japonicum

 Appearance: The Japanese maple is a type of maple that grows up to 30’. Its leaves have many points and turn a brilliant red in fall. 

The red leaves of this maple remind us of the blood of the cross, covering us in mercy.

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, “His blood be on us, and on our children.”
                                                                                              Matthew 27:24-25      KJV

Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis

 Appearance: Hyssop is an upright branching plant in the mint family. It has narrow oblong leaves. The hyssop grows small blue flowers near the tips of its branches. 

The hyssop is native to the Holy Land, where it was used in the Passover. It was also a plant used in the purifying rites associated with Jewish life. The writer of Psalms asks God to purify them with hyssop. 

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
                                                                                                                                Psalm 51:7      KJV

Holly

Ilex spp.

 Appearance: Holly is a bush with hard, light wood. It has dark green leaves with spines around their edges. It has white flowers and red or white berries. 

Holly is one of the plants given religious significance by Europeans as the Gospel entered their culture. Holly’s white flowers are said to represent Christ’s purity, while its spiny leaves and red berries represent the crown of thorns. 

And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
                                                                                                                             Mark 15:17      KJV

Gooseberry

Castanea spp.

 Appearance: Gooseberry bushes grow to 10 feet tall. Their branches have sharp spines and their leaves have three or five lobes. Gooseberry flowers are bell-shaped and produce round fruit that is green, red or deep purple. 

Plants related to gooseberries are found in the Holy Land and are used in desserts and jams. The writer of Leviticus uses the image of fruit to remind us to obey God so that we may prosper. 

Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety. And the land shall yield her fruit, and ye shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety.
                                                                                                              Leviticus 25:18-19      KJV