Asafoetida is a perennial plant native to Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. It grows six feet (two meters) tall from a fleshy taproot, and bears composite leaves and umbels of white flowers at its head. Asafoetida produces a gum gathered in summer from the roots of plants at least four years old (if a plant is not a minimum of four years old, its gum is considered worthless).

Kalonji is a herbal/bush which grows to about 500mm high producing blue flowers and black seeds from which the oil is extracted. The seeds are triangular in shape and have a pungent smell.

Cananga is a tall tropical tree up to 20m high with large, tender, fragrant flowers, which can be pink, mauve or yellow. The yellow flowers are considered best for the extraction of essential oil.