7 Plants That Start With B

Last Updated on December 13, 2022 by Derek

There are almost 400,000 species of plants in the world, and all of them come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. With so many varieties out there, it’s safe to say that a lot of plants have names that start with the letter ‘B’.

But just how many are there? And what are they like?

List of plants starting with B:

Here is a list of the 7 plants that start with B featured in this article:

1. Bamboo
2. Basil
3. Bat Flower
4. Begonia
5. Black Mondo Grass
6. Bluebells
7. Bracken

While there are way too many to cover in one list, we’ve compiled 7 of the most interesting and strange plants that start with ‘B’, as well as some common ones you might be able to see on a nature walk or in a flower garden.

So if you want to learn more about just some of the countless incredible plants that we share our planet with, then this is the list for you!

Let’s get started, shall we?

List of plants starting with the letter B

Bamboo

Bamboo is famous for its tall, tough stalks that grow in groups known as groves. Most commonly found in Southeast Asia, and particularly China, bamboo has long and wide stems with hollow insides. You can keep Bamboo plants indoor or outdoors – it’s very versatile!

The lucky Bamboo plant grows incredibly quickly and is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. Some varieties of bamboo can grow up to 36 inches in 24 hours, or one millimeter per second.

Bamboo is also known as the food of choice of the giant panda, whose diet mostly consists of live bamboo plants – shoots, leaves, and stems.

It’s not only pandas that eat Chinese bamboo plants, however. Bamboo shoots are a common ingredient in many cuisines across Southeast Asia. They can be used in anything from noodle dishes, to desserts, to tea and soft drinks.

Basil

This herb is a member of the mint family and has become a staple of cuisines all over the world. Basil is known for its strong flavor and sweet aroma, as well as several nutritional and health benefits. Basil plant scientific name is Ocimum basilicum.

Despite its typical association with Italian food, basil was originally native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia and Central Africa. Its trade and propagation in the Mediterranean led to its popularity in Italian cooking, and nowadays it is still a welcome addition to pizzas or pasta dishes.

Basil is also the main ingredient in pesto! If you have too much fresh basil in your fridge, try combining it with some parmesan, garlic, pine nuts, and some seasoning to make a delicious homemade pesto.

Not only is basil delicious, but it’s also nutritious. Basil is packed with vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, calcium, and iron. And if that wasn’t enough, basil’s medicinal uses have been shown to benefit nausea, loss of appetite, and stomach cramps.

Basil plant care is pretty easy. The small size of basil plants makes them perfect for growing at home on a windowsill to be used in your home cooking, so there’s no reason to miss out on this delicious herb.

Bat Flower – tropical plants that start with B

While bat flowers have a peculiar shape (to say the least), there is a lot to love about them. The gnarled flowers and long, thin stamens perch on top of a tall stem and are meant to resemble a bat in flight.

It might seem like a bit of a stretch at first glance, but when you see the light shining on the gorgeous leathery-brown petals the resemblance is clear. However, the Bat flower smell is quite horrible, a bit like meat rotting!

The bat flower is native to tropical locations and requires high temperatures and humidity to grow to its full potential. While it is possible to grow these plants in a yard or flower garden, you need to make sure that it is getting the right conditions to grow properly.

You’ll also need to have enough room – bat flowers can reach up to 4 feet in height, and the flower alone can be a foot wide. The whisker-like stamens can also grow to great lengths, up to 30 inches (or 2’6”). Is the black bat flower poisonous? It isn’t a delicacy due to it’s smell and taste, but it’s seeds are poisonous.

Begonia

A decidedly more normal-looking flower, begonias are nonetheless a stunning addition to any garden or hanging basket. These stunning perennial flowers are characterized by their asymmetrical and patterned leaves, and their colorful flowers. Begonia scientific name is Begonia cucullata.

There are over 2000 species of begonia, which mostly grow in moist tropical and subtropical locations.

Begonia care

This means that they require warmer temperatures and good drainage to give them the care they need. However, if you provide a begonia with proper care you’ll have a beautiful and interesting plant that flowers year-round in a range of bright colors.

The asymmetrical begonia leaves have led to cultivars breeding more and more uniquely shaped and patterned leaves. Varieties like the ‘Dragon-Wing’ and ‘Painted Leaf’ begonia showcase just some of the amazing colors, patterns, and shapes a begonia can achieve.

Black Mondo Grass

Here’s another strange plant. This pure-black grass looks like it could have come straight out of a Sci-Fi movie, although it is actually a member of the asparagus family.

Black mondo grass is native to Japan, although it has become a popular addition to gardens across the globe due to its unusual and striking appearance. Black mondo grass is, as the name suggests, a dark black plant that prefers partly-shaded areas.

It can grow up to 8 inches tall in patches measuring around a square foot. Because of its size and appearance, black mondo grass is often used as an ornamental plant in rock gardens or flower beds.

Black mondo grass grows incredibly slowly and is prone to disease and dying. This is why this black grass is less common and harder to grow.

Flowers beginning with B – Bluebells

If you want to add a pop of color to your yard, then these pretty blue flowers are the choice for you. Bluebells are most commonly found in the British Isles, where their bell-shaped petals have made them a popular addition to flower gardens.

Bluebells blossom in mid-to-late spring and can be found spread out in large patches in woodland and countryside. They are a protected species in the UK, and it’s a criminal offence to remove or damage wild bluebell bulbs.

Bracken

Bracken is large green ferns with coarse and individually sectioned leaves. Bracken can be found pretty much anywhere plants can grow, due to its invasive nature and ability to survive in harsh environments.

While the genus ‘Bracken’ covers around 10 different species of fern, these different species all share the same strange leaf shape. Bracken leaves are very divided and typically triangular, with rows of small leaves forming a single, larger leaf shape.

Fossilized bracken has been dated back to 55 million years ago, making it some of the oldest species of fern to exist. Because of its hardiness and adaptability, bracken has become one of the most widely spread and common species of fern globally.

FAQs

What flower starts with the letter B?

Depending on the size of your garden, smaller flowers and plants may suit your space best. If you’re using a flower bed, you should consider using colorful flowers like begonias as the main centerpiece with more subtle plants like black mondo grass for the border or as highlights.

Alternatively, if you have the room and climate you can grow some bat flowers for a wonderfully creepy flower garden.

Are Plants Starting With B Plants Edible?

Not every plant is edible, and it’s always important to check if a plant is safe to eat before you consider including it in your cooking. While some plants like basil are completely edible and can be eaten after nothing more than a quick wash, others need to be prepared before they are safe to eat (if they are edible at all).

For example, bamboo shoots are perfectly edible if they have been properly prepared and processed. However, unprocessed bamboo shoots contain a toxin that produces cyanide during digestion.

Some plants are completely inedible or even dangerous to consume from the get-go. Bluebells are poisonous and can be fatal if enough is eaten. And while it’s not certain whether eating wild bluebells is a criminal offence in the UK, you’re best off not trying it out.

Indoor plants that start with B

Sometimes having private outdoor space just isn’t possible, but you can still grow plenty of plants inside. As mentioned above, begonias are a gorgeous and interesting plant to grow as long as you give it the right conditions to flourish. 

Similarly, black mondo grass can also be grown inside. It needs the same conditions as it does outside, and its tropical roots mean you’ll need to provide plenty of warmth. But if you’re able to nurture it, black mondo grass can become the perfect ornamental plant to keep on a windowsill or as a conversation starter on a side table.

5 shrubs beginning with B

1. Burning Bush
2. Banana Shrub
3. Barberry ‘Rosy Glow’
4. Beautyberry Bush
5. Boxwood ‘Wintergreen’

Video – Plants that start with B in South West Florida

Final Thoughts

So now you know a little bit more about just some of the many plants whose name begins with the letter ‘B’! We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about these plants.

Whether you want some bluebells for your yard, basil for your herb garden, or even a begonia for your windowsill, there’s no end to the possibilities!

With all of the amazing plants in the world, it’s no wonder that there are plenty of great species beginning with ‘B’. Now go out there and see which ones you can find. Have fun!