List of food plants native to the Americas facts for kids

Northern highbush blueberry

Many popular and important food plants come from the Americas. Some of these plants are endemic, meaning they grow naturally only in the Americas and nowhere else. Other plants grow naturally in the Americas and also in other parts of the world.

This article lists food plants that originally came from the Americas. Some of these plants were introduced to the "Old World" (Europe, Asia, and Africa) after Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas in 1492. This big exchange of plants, animals, and ideas is known as the Columbian Exchange.

Grains from the Americas

Grains are small, hard seeds used as food. Many important grains first grew in the Americas.

Quinoa grows naturally in the Andes mountains of South America.

• Corn or Maize (Zea) is a very important grain. It was first grown in the Americas.
• Quinoa (Chenopodium) is a superfood grain. It comes from the Andes mountains in South America.
• Some types of amaranth (Amaranthus) are also native to the Americas.
• Certain kinds of wild rice (Zizania) grow naturally here.
• Indian Corn (Flint Corn) is another type of corn.
• Sorghum is a grain that also has origins in the Americas.

Beans and Legumes

Legumes are plants that grow in pods, like beans and peas.

• Peanut (Arachis) plants first grew in South America.
• Many types of beans (Phaseolus) are native to the Americas. These include pinto, black, kidney, navy, scarlet runner, and lima beans.

Nightshade Family Foods

The nightshade family includes many common vegetables.

Many different kinds of tomato are grown today.

Cubanelle peppers are a type of sweet pepper.

• The potato (Solanum) is a root vegetable. It first grew in the Andes mountains.
• The tomato (Solanum) is a fruit often used as a vegetable. It also comes from the Americas.
• Bell peppers and chili peppers (Capsicum) are native to the Americas. There are many kinds, from sweet to very spicy.
• The tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica) looks like a small green tomato. It is covered in a papery husk.

Fruits from the Americas

Many delicious fruits that we enjoy today first grew in the Americas.

Apple guavas are sweet and tropical fruits.

• Pineapple (Ananas) is a tropical fruit. It is known for its sweet and tangy taste.
• Guava (Psidium and Acca) is a sweet, fragrant fruit.
• Passion fruit (Passiflora) has a unique, tart flavor.
• Papaya (Carica and Vasconcellea) is a soft, sweet tropical fruit.
• Cherimoya, sugar-apple, and soursop (Annona) are creamy, sweet fruits.
• Pawpaw (Asimina) is a custard-like fruit. It grows in eastern North America.
• Dragonfruit or pitaya (Hylocereus and Stenocereus) is a colorful, tropical fruit.
• The Concord grape (Vitis) is a popular grape variety.
• Huckleberry (Vaccinium and Gaylussacia) is a small, dark berry.
• Several types of berries are native to the Americas, including:
  • Strawberry (Fragaria)
  • Blueberry (Vaccinium)
  • Cranberry (Vaccinium)
  • Raspberry (Rubus)
  • Salmonberry (Rubus)
  • Oregon grape (Mahonia)
  • Thimbleberry (Rubus)
  • Mayhaw (Crataegus)
  • Blackberry (Rubus)
  • Plum (Prunus)
  • Black cherry (Prunus)
• Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) is a tart berry.
• Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus) comes from hawthorn trees.
• Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) berries can be used to make a tart drink.
• Prickly Pear or Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) is a sweet fruit from a cactus.

Nuts from the Americas

Nuts are dry fruits with a hard shell. Many popular nuts come from the Americas.

• The peanut (Arachis) is technically a legume, but it is often called a nut.
• The cashew (Anacardium) is a kidney-shaped nut.
• The American chestnut was once very common in North America.
• The pecan (Carya) is a popular nut for pies and snacks.
• The black walnut (Juglans) has a strong flavor.
• The Brazil nut (Bertholletia) comes from large trees in the Amazon rainforest.
• Butternut or White Walnut (Juglans cinerea) is another type of walnut.
• Many types of acorns are the seeds of oak trees (genus Quercus).
• The American Hazelnut is a tasty nut from a shrub.

Other Important Plants

Beyond grains, fruits, and nuts, many other important food sources come from the Americas.

• Cocoa (Theobroma) beans are used to make chocolate.
• Vanilla (Vanilla) is a popular flavoring. It comes from an orchid plant.
• Cassava (Manihot) is a starchy root vegetable. It is also called yuca.
• Sweet potato (Ipomoea) is a nutritious root vegetable.
• Jicama (Pachyrhizus) is a crunchy root vegetable.
• Jerusalem artichoke and sunflower (Helianthus) are both native to the Americas. Sunflower seeds are a popular snack.
• Avocado (Persea) is a creamy, healthy fruit.
• Agave (Agave) plants are used to make sweeteners and drinks.
• Pumpkin and squash (Cucurbita) are gourds. They come in many shapes and sizes.
• Chayote (Sechium) is a type of squash.
• Chia (Salvia hispanica) seeds are tiny but packed with nutrients.
• Maple Syrup comes from the sap of maple trees.
• Honey is made by bees, including native American bees like Melipona.
• Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) is a plant whose leaves can be used to make a caffeinated drink.

See also

• Columbian Exchange
• List of food origins
• New World crops