Plants That Start With A

Last Updated on May 25, 2023 by Derek

If you’re trying to think of plants that start with A , we’ve come up with a list of 14 of them for you to read and learn about.

Aren’t plants wonderful?  There are thousands of different kinds around the world, all having their place in the global ecosystem, whether big or small.  There are a few reasons that you might want to see a list of plants that start with A.

List of plants starting with the letter A:

Perhaps you have one on the tip of your tongue and just can’t quite remember it, or maybe you’re looking for plants to arrange alphabetically in your garden.  Whatever the reason, we’ve got you covered here.  Read on for a list of plants that start with the letter A!

Video – Plant starting with the letter A in South Florida

Aconite Flowers

Aconite is also known by a long list of other names, including monkshood, wolfsbane, and the queen of poisons.  As you might be able to tell from that last name, most species within the aconite genus are extremely poisonous and must be handled very carefully, with even skin contact being able to cause mild symptoms.

Nevertheless, it plays a role in various forms of traditional medicine and blue-purple Aconite flowers are widely considered beautiful.  They have even won awards at flower shows and can be grown in gardens, as long as proper care is taken when handling them.

Under no circumstances should children or pets be allowed to touch or eat any part of the aconite plant, though birds can do so with no ill effects. Some people swear by Aconite homeopathy uses.

Agave – What is Agave used for?

The agave genus is best known for its succulents, plants native to arid regions of the Americas.  They’re popular choices to grow by a lot of people who live in regions where the weather will allow it because they require very little water and grow easily, albeit slowly.  They sometimes take several years to flower after they’re first planted.

Agave’s leaves and flowers are both appreciated for their appearance, but the plant also has culinary uses.  Not only are the flowers edible, but the stalks contain a kind of sugary sap called aguamiel, which can be extracted by chewing.  It can also be extracted as agave nectar, a sweet syrup that can be used as a sugar substitute in many recipes and also used for Agave tequila.

The agave plant is native to the Americas, specifically Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States. It has been cultivated and used by indigenous peoples in these regions for thousands of years.

Agave is particularly associated with Mexico, where it plays a significant role in traditional Mexican culture and is used in the production of various products, including tequila and mezcal.

Abelia Varieties

Abelia is a genus of flowering plants that belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. The genus is native to East Asia, specifically China and Japan.

It was named after Dr. Clarke Abel, a British physician and naturalist who collected plants in China during the early 19th century. Abelia species have since been introduced and cultivated in various parts of the world for their attractive flowers and foliage.

Abelia is no longer technically recognized as its own genus by scientists but the name is still used.  Abelias are another plant that thrives in warmer climates, and they can be seen quite often in the Southern United States, often as a centerpiece to a garden.

Some species can reach 8 feet in height and 5 feet in width, so you’ll need to reserve a fair bit of space if you want to grow it.  It’s available in a variety of colors, with flowers that can be white or pink, and with bright red stems. Abelia common name is Glossy Abelia.

Amaranth Flower

What is amaranth used for?

Amaranth has several uses, with some varieties being grown for ornamental reasons and others being used for food. 

These vary hugely in size from around 5 feet tall (Prince’s Feather, in Amaranth recipes it’s often used as a substitute for spinach and grain) to love-lies-bleeding, which grows to around 38 feet tall and can be grown for both purposes, with bright, reddish-purple flowers that hang down.

There are several other ornamental varieties too, so if you’re looking to add something new to your garden, check out the other varieties.

Angel’s Trumpet Flower

The name Angel’s Trumpet comes from the large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that this plant produces.  Like the earlier mentioned aconite, angel’s trumpets are both valued for their beauty but also dangerously toxic. 

Angel’s trumpet hallucinogenic effects

They contain compounds that are not only poisonous to human beings, but that can also cause a state of hallucinatory delirium (this has been described in the journal Pathology as “terrifying rather than pleasurable”).

Though they are commonly grown in gardens, they are now extinct in the wild.  It is thought that this is due to the extinction of the animals that used to disperse their seeds.  The flowers come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, yellow, and orange.

Achimenes cattleya

The plants in this genus also go by various other names, including magic flowers, Cupid’s bower, and widow’s tears.  It’s native to Central America and Mexico, where the largest number of species is to be found. Achimenes hybrids flowers come in a wide variety of colors, including purple, blue, crimson, orange and several others.

They are sometimes grown from Achimenes seeds in flower beds but are more often seen in containers like window boxes or in greenhouses.  If grown outdoors they need protection from both wind and strong, direct sunlight.

Aloe Vera Plant

The aloe genus is best known for its most famous member, aloe vera (“true aloe”).  Like the rest of the genus, aloe vera is a succulent plant that can be found in many areas of the world.  It is considered an invasive species in some of these areas.

Extracts from aloe vera are found in many commercial pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, and the plant has long been used to help skin conditions like burns and acne.  The benefits of Aloe vera on skin are legendary, in the form of Aloe vera gel. However, the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of these treatments is as yet inconclusive.

The Aloe vera flower is sometimes also grown for ornamental purposes, and this is quite easy thanks to its high drought tolerance, though they will need to spend winter indoors in colder climates.

Anthemis – Is Anthemis perennial?

The genus anthemis is a perennial closely related to chamomile and is sometimes also known by that name.  Some varieties are generally regarded as weeds, but varieties from the Mediterranean are considered garden plants.  Some varieties resemble large daisies with either white or yellow petals and are grown for ornamental purposes for that reason.  

Arrowroot

Arrowroot is one of the many common names of maranta arundinacea – others include maranta, ararao, and obedience plant.  It is a large herb that typically grows in rainforests and is commercially grown in St Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean, as well as other places.

In the US, it is cultivated only in Southern Florida.  It was one of the first plants that human beings domesticated for food (arrowroot starch), with evidence of this dating back to before 8000 BC.  The powdered roots are used in cooking and baking for a variety of different purposes.

 Apple Tree

The apple tree was originally native to Central Asia where its wild ancestor can still be found today.  Apples are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world and apple trees can be found all over the globe. Apple tree flowers are really blossoms with a delicate and appealing fragrance.

In addition to their fruit, they produce blossoms which appear in the spring months.  These can also be eaten, and make a nice floral addition to fruit dishes.  Other varieties include dwarf apple trees.

They can also be candied for use as a garnish, but it might be wise not to overdo them – they can contain precursors to cyanide.  Eating a small number won’t do any harm but large amounts might be more troublesome.

 Angelica

This is a genus that contains some species that are edible and others that are ornamental – many are both.  The variety often known as wild angelica or garden celery can be eaten but looks similar to several poisonous plants, so use caution. Angelica tea can be made from the leaves.

Angelica gigas, a.k.a Korean angelica is particularly prized for ornamental purposes due to its shiny, green leaves and its bright crimson-purple florets.  These blooms are great for attracting pollinators and are also good for cutting.

 Amaryllis 

Amaryllis is a small genus featuring only two species of flowering bulbs.  Amaryllis belladonna is by far the most widely known and grown of the two.

Despite being native to South Africa’s Cape Province, it has now been naturalized in many places around the world and it is widely grown for ornamental purposes.  Its pink, funnel-shaped flowers are fragrant, attracting pollinators.  All the parts of the plant are also toxic and can cause vomiting and diarrhea in humans, though they are not as dangerous as either aconite or angel’s trumpets.

 Amethyst Flower

The amethyst flower is a species within the genus browallia that produces flowers in a beautiful blue, violet, or white color (hence the name amethyst flower).  This has made them popular among fans of blue flowers, which are relatively uncommon in nature.

Another plant in the genus, browalla speciosa, plays a role in the traditional medicine of Colombia’s native people – the leaves are chewed up and the resulting material is used to reduce the pain of toothache by packing it around rotting teeth.

 Acacia

Acacia is a large and widely distributed genus of shrubs and trees that includes around 1300 species, of which around 960 are native to Australia.  Most Australian acacias do not have thorns, while most acacias outside Australia do.

The various species of acacia have many uses including as food (particularly in the curries of Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Myanmar), for its gum arabic, as garden ornamentals, for medicinal purposes, in perfume, and several others.  An acacia tree in the country of Niger was at one point thought to be the most isolated tree on Earth, being over 150 km from any other tree until it was knocked down by a truck driver in 1973.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aloe Poisonous?

No, aloe isn’t a poisonous plant. In fact, it is typically used for its medicinal purposes. As a result of this, it can help to soothe your skin when needed.

However, some people do experience allergic reactions to Aloe, which is worth keeping in mind. If ingested, aloe can sometimes cause a stomach upset, or diarrhea.

Are Apple Trees Easy to Grow?

You may assume that apple trees are easy to grow. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, apple trees can be quite difficult to grow.

This is due to a number of different reasons, such as pets, poor production, and issues with things such as the soil and deficiencies.

As a result, you will need to carry out a good amount of research before choosing to grow apple trees in your garden.

Is Agave Plant Poisonous to Humans

On the whole, the agave plant isn’t poisonous to humans. However, it can be mildly toxic. This is why it is important to take care if you are using this plant.

The issue lies with the crystals within the leaves. If this touches the skin, it can potentially cause irritation, which is a problem. This can then lead to things such as dermatitis.

Resources relating to plants and flowers that start with A:

Flowers that start with A – Plant Delights Nursery

45 Plants and Flowers that Start with “A” – Home Stratosphere