(i) Safflower

• Botanical Name: Carthamus tinctorius
• Family: Asteraceae
• Morphology of Useful Part: The useful parts are the achene-type fruits (seeds) and the florets. The achenes are small, white, quadrangular, and indehiscent, containing the oil. The florets are tubular, yellow, orange, or red.
• Uses: Seeds are a primary source of edible oil, high in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Florets yield a natural dye, carthemin, historically used for food coloring and textiles.

(ii) Fennel

• Botanical Name: Foeniculum vulgare
• Family: Apiaceae
• Morphology of Useful Part: The main useful parts are the mature, dried fruits (schizocarps) and, to a lesser extent, the leaves and thickened leaf bases. The fruits are small, elongated, aromatic, and typically grayish-green, splitting into two mericarps.
• Uses: Fruits are widely used as a spice for flavoring foods, particularly in curries and baked goods. They are also known for their carminative and digestive properties in traditional medicine.

(iii) Chicory

• Botanical Name: Cichorium intybus
• Family: Asteraceae
• Morphology of Useful Part: The taproot is the most utilized part, along with the young leaves. The taproot is thick, fleshy, and somewhat conical, rich in inulin.
• Uses: Roasted and ground roots are commonly used as a coffee substitute or additive. Young leaves are eaten as a salad vegetable (endive/radicchio varieties), prized for their slightly bitter flavor.

(iv) Tapioca

• Botanical Name: Manihot esculenta
• Family: Euphorbiaceae
• Morphology of Useful Part: The thickened, tuberous storage roots are the useful parts. These roots are elongated or cylindrical, rich in starch, and possess a rough outer skin.
• Uses: A major source of starch, used to produce tapioca flour, pearls (sago), and as a staple food in many tropical regions. It's also an important animal feed.

(v) Teak

• Botanical Name: Tectona grandis
• Family: Lamiaceae (formerly Verbenaceae)
• Morphology of Useful Part: The heartwood (secondary xylem) of the trunk is the highly valued part. It is typically golden-brown, with a distinct grain, dense, and naturally oily.
• Uses: Renowned as one of the finest timbers globally for shipbuilding, outdoor furniture, flooring, and decorative veneer due to its durability, water resistance, and aesthetic appeal.