Yellow Flowering Herbs

Rue

• Rue (Ruta graveolens) is an evergreen shrub often found in herb gardens. It grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet and an equal width. According to the Floridata website, it is a herb that has traditionally been used for medicinal purposes. It also was once used to combat witches and was thought to improve eye sight. It produces green leaves that emit an unpleasant scent when crushed, as well as small yellow flowers that bloom in summer. Native to Europe and North Africa, rue is often found around roads and in waste areas in the United States. It grows best in areas with full sun and soil that is sandy and poor in quality. Once it has taken root, it is tolerant of droughts. It can be propagated from seed.

Yellow Jessamine

• Yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is an herb that is native to North America. It prefers moist soil that is rich in nutrients and is often found in forested areas of the southeastern United States. Also known as yellow jasmine, it is an evergreen plant with vines that can extend as much as 40 feet in length. It has shiny green leaves and clusters of funnel-shaped, fragrant yellow flowers that bloom in the early spring. Before it was discovered to contain a deadly toxin, yellow jessamine was commonly used for medicinal purposes. Although no longer as favored for medical use, it is still used as a sedative and for treating ailments such as migraines, insomnia and bowel problems, according to herb2000.com.

Tamarind

• Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a tropical tree that bears small yellow flowers. It can grow to a height of 90 feet and has leaves that fall to the ground during dry seasons. It is an evergreen tree in areas with year-round moisture. Its yellow flowers are approximately 1 inch in diameter, and have red and purple veins. In addition to making an attractive landscaping tree, tamarind pods are used for a variety of purposes. These include making beverages, curries, chutneys and sauces. The pulp from the tamarind fruit is also used for making a favorite Latin American soft drink. The Foody website notes that it is also used as an ingredient in Worcestershire and HP sauces. It also is used as a laxative, according to the herbsandcures.com.