ANN ARBOR ?What do peanuts, yams, rice, cotton, okra, bananas, a sausage tree, sugar cane, sesame, coffee, and tamarind have in common? These plants and more have been an integral part of the life and times of African Americans and will be highlighted every Saturday and Sunday in February in public tours at the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens. The tours begin at 2 p.m. in the Conservatory and are free.

The month-long celebration of family-oriented events and activities highlighting plants of cultural significance to the people who came to the Americas from Africa will start Feb. 6 with storytelling, music, “Taste of Africa,” and public docent-led tours. The Feb. 6 activities are from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and are free. At 5 p.m. that day, there will be an opening reception for an exhibition of African American art. There is a charge for the reception.

During the first two weekends of the month, besides the tours, there will be other activities, including guest lectures, storytellers, musical performances and the opportunity to have a “Taste of Africa.”

Culminating the month-long celebration will be an opportunity for Scout troops to have “An African Adventure” on Feb. 27 from noon to 4:30 p.m. Registration is required and can be made beginning Jan. 4 by calling the Gardens at (734) 998-7061.