Undercooking presents a different set of challenges, keeping the Brussels sprout's flavors concentrated inside its veiny leaves and thick root.

NPR: Turning a New Leaf on a Misunderstood Sprout

As a child, Candy had ridden her bike between clumps of impatiens and begonia and stands of banana trees, clumsy with their thick, waxy leaves.

NEWYORKER: The Visitor

It's on the banks of the Charles River, which she can see most of the year when the leaves aren't so thick on the trees outside her windows.

NPR: Soft Housing Market Catches Some Between Homes

For instance, the process to increase burn and wound healing includes removing the dead or decaying flesh in a way that leaves a smooth, evenly thick surface for grafts and healing.

FORBES: Medical Innovation in the Corn Fields

Water hyacinth grows into a thick bed of waxy leaves and violet flowers that cover the surface of the lake.

CNN: Flower power threatens Kenya's Lake Victoria

Now, with the spring artichoke season just kicking into gear, is a terrific time for baby artichokes, which grow lower on the stalk than their full-size siblings and do not develop the same thick wall of tough outer leaves.

WSJ: Jos�� Andr��s's Fried Baby Artichokes With Hake | Slow Food Fast

Cutting sugar cane, swinging a machete all day and loading lorries is a tough job, made worse in the suffocating heat by having to wear thick clothing to provide protection from the sharp leaves.

ECONOMIST: Antonio Fortich