There are numerous references to plants in the book Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. Jahren is a scientist who studies plant biology and botany, and the book acts as her memoir. It is constructed to oscillate between her life and an explanation of plant biology, usually weaving the two subjects together somehow.

Jahren refers to oaks, coconuts, and lotus plants at various points, discussing seeds, travel, and offspring. She also refers to her favorite tree (the Blue-Tinged Spruce) and many others, including some trees that are self-grated and planted elsewhere. Her son's favorite tree is the foxtail palm.

One of her laboratory experiments include work on hackberries, trying to break down their pits and understand their composition. She also works with wheatgrass.