Flowers are indeed pretty; they have unique fragrances; and each flower has a distinguished meaning, depending on its shape and colour. Flowers are characterized by different attributes and distinct features.
Flowers are what we will read more about together in this floral journey, so buckle up! We will learn all about flowers, fluorography, how they originated and where, their types, their significance, importance, how deadly they can be, learn more about the rare flowers, how to grow a flower, the occasions that require flowers, and many juicy facts in between.
Flowers are a part of a plant. That is sometimes called bloom or blossom. Inside the flower petals, there is the part that produces pollen and seeds. Those are later transferred by bees, bats, moths, and other creatures that absorb the nectar of the plant in the bees’ case or visit the plant for a different purpose.
That nectar is what produces honey by the bees later on. Flowers rely on the outside factors to transfer the pollen or seeds to another plant or area. To, reproduce and multiply. The outside factors can be water, wind, birds, butterflies or bees as insects, or animals, such as bats.
All of which visit the flower for different reasons. Since these external factors help in the process of pollination, we call them ‘pollinators’.
Their main job is to transfer pollen and seeds from one flower to another or a new area. Pollinators are necessary for our survival. Pollinators are creatures that assist plants in the process of reproduction.
The pollen or seeds stick to the bodies of the Pollinators when they are doing their purpose of visiting the flower, such as absorbing nectar in bees. Then, it gets transferred to another plant or another part of the same plant when the Pollinator moves onto another plant or another part of the same plant.
They mainly carry pollen from the male part of the plant to the female part. The male part of the plant is called ‘stamen’. Whereas, the female part of the plant is called ‘stigma’. The process of Pollination is necessary for the plant to become fertilized. It enables the plant to produce fruits when it becomes fertilized.
In turn, providing us with essential plants that we eat in our everyday life. Most fruits are flowers to begin with, that are fertilized by the pollination process that the Pollinators carry out. It also enables the plants to spread and reproduce more fruits by spreading the seeds.
Water pollination is called hydrophily. The plants that are pollinated by water are called aquatic plants. The process takes place when pollen floats on the surface of the water. It keeps on drifting until it comes in contact with flowers.
Water pollination has two types. The surface pollination and the submerged pollination. Surface pollination happens when the pollen of the male part floats on the surface of the water until it comes in contact with the stigma of the female flower.
We can see plants like Waterweeds, Hydrilla and Elodea, Water Starwort as Callitriche, and Ditch Grasses as Ruppia pollinate using hydrophily surface pollination.
Hydrilla is also known as water thyme. It can survive in salty water. It grows deep in the water or even on the surface. It forms mats and each of them is slender. It branches 25 feet long. The roots have tubers that look like a potato growing in the mud.
As for Elodea, it is often referred to as waterweeds. It is from the Hydrocharitaceae family which is a plant. It provides shelter and food for many aquatic creatures. For example, insects and fish. It purifies water. Goldfish love eating Elodea.
It is mostly used as a decoration, however, it grows rapidly in nitrogen and phosphorus-rich environments which leads to a decrease in oxygen that eventually leads to the death of the fish in the aquarium.
Water Starwort is also known as Callitriche. Callitriche grows from July to September. It forms many seeds. Ducks love to feed on it. It is green. The leaves on top of the stem take an oval shape, like an egg. Whereas, the lower part of the stem has straight leaves. Two leaves are growing on each joint of the stem.
Ditch grasses, widgeon grass, or as it is commonly referred to as Ruppia is a unique shallow submerged grass. It has diverse types. Mainly, it has about eight types.
In Eel-grass, such as Vallisneria, the whole male part of the flower detaches itself from the plant body and floats on the surface of the water until it comes in contact with the female part of the flower or as we call it the ‘stigma’.
Growing Vallisneria is really easy. All you need is a good fertilizer and light. Then, sit back and watch your aquarium turn into a jungle. It is easy to remove when it exceeds the area you specified for it.
On the other hand, submerged pollination mostly takes place with pollen grains. A male part of the plant is referred to as pollen grain. Pollen grains are considered heavier than water. Therefore, it sinks.
Eventually, the sunken pollen grains are caught by the stigma. The stigma is a female part of the flower. The submerged pollination can be observed in water- nymphs. Water- nymphs are also known as Najas. In addition to Coontail.
Coontail is also known as Ceratophyllum demersum or Hornwort. It is rootless. It is a lake weed. It forms colonies using submersed pollination. It grows rapidly and quickly. It provides shade and a source of food for some insects and fish.
Generally, hydrophily is rare in plants. It can reach up to 2% of plants that pollinate through the usage of water. Which is about 30 genera. For example, monocotyledons or as they are commonly referred to monocots. Monocots are grass and flowers that are similar to grass called angiosperms.
The seeds of the angiosperms are mostly one embryonic leaf or a cotyledon that is transferred through water and keeps floating on the surface of the water or sinks in water. Until it reaches the female part of a flower that it fertilizes.
For instance, as we observed previously, water pollination takes place in common Waterweeds, Water Starwort, Ditch Grasses, eelgrass, Najas, and Coontail.
Pollination takes place by different methods as we mentioned. The wind is another factor that helps pollinate a flower. Wind pollination is also known as ‘Anemophily’. Anemophily is the process of transferring pollen from one plant to another by the effect of wind.
Many of the most important crops worldwide are wind-pollinated. Many plants are pollinated by wind, however, we will discuss a few. For example, grass, cereal crops, trees, and ragweeds.
In addition to all the methods we discussed, there is one factor that is essentially as important. It is pollination by insects. This type of pollination is called ‘Entomophily’. Where some insects distribute the pollen throughout the area. Usually, it is the pollen of flowery plants.
For example, butterflies and bees. Butterflies drink the nectar using their proboscis. Learn more about butterflies on LearningMole.com. Also, remember to learn all about the butterfly’s cycle of life:
Each bee has a specific role. Some bees are forager bees. Forager bees collect nectar from flowering plants. They drink the nectar and store it in their crop. The crop is also known as the honey stomach. It is used for storage and the nectar is not digested.
Some animals help out in the pollination process. It is called ‘Zoophily’. It is the type of pollination that includes an animal. For example, some birds and bats help out in the pollination process.
Pollination can take place by birds. This type of pollination is called ‘Ornithophily’. Birds help fertilize the plant by transferring pollen using their bills from one flower to another. Birds move from one plant to another feeding on nectar. They help pollinate many different types of flowers. For Example, orchids, the cardinal flower, and pineapple.
As for bats, they also help out in the pollination process. This type of pollination is called chiropterophily pollination. Bats eat insects and nectar found on the flower as well as some flower parts. In the process, they transfer pollen from one plant to another. More than 300 types of fruits are pollinated by bats. For example, Bananas, Mangoes, and Guavas.
Let us check some interesting facts about flowers before moving on to the flower language that we find most entertaining. Remember to check out the cycle of a plant on LearningMole, before carrying on.
Now that we know all about pollination and the life cycle of the plant, we can carry on with our journey. Let us learn all about the language of flowers! The language of flowers is also known as floriography.
Floriography is the language that tells us all about each flower, its meaning, and its symbolism. The language of flowers helps us determine the most suitable flower bouquets for each occasion. Every single flower has a story to tell.
Floriography started to flourish in the Victorian era. During the region of Queen Victoria, flowers were considered an invaluable expression of feelings because people were too shy to express their emotions openly.
The region of Queen Victoria in the United Kingdom was from 1837 to 1901. People sent Tissue Mussies. Tissue Mussies are also known as nosegays. Nosegays are small bouquets that express a gesture of love and interest.
In the Victorian era, the way a bouquet was held or received determined the feelings of the receiver. Whether they appreciate the gesture or are not interested. If a bouquet was held at heart level, then the receiver loves the bouquet.
However, if it was held facing downwards by the receiver, then they are not interested. This means, they do not share the same feelings or the feelings are not mutual. If the sender asked a question when giving the bouquet, the receiver may answer by reaching out their hands to receive the bouquet.
For example, if the receiver reaches out their right hand, then it means ‘yes’. However, if the receiver reaches out their left hand, then that means ‘no’. Flowers were indeed the most important means of communication at that time.
Let us read some more fun facts about flowers and carry on with our flower-filled exploration journey. Flowers have so many stories to tell and we will try to hear each one of them till we have successfully learned all about flowers.
Flowers existed about 140 to 250 million years ago, nearly the same time as the first dinosaurs. However, it is believed that plants existed 500 million years ago. During, a period called the Cambrian period. Each flower had a different connotation then. A connotation is the meaning, symbol, and significance of the flower.
For example, ancient Egyptians fancied the Lotus flower. We can find numerous depictions of the Lotus flower in the drawings found on the walls of ancient tombs and the symbols of the hieroglyphics. It portrays different coloured Lotus flowers. Mainly, white and blue. They believed it signifies purity.
Whereas Turkish people adored the Tulip. It is the symbol of the Ottoman ruling era. The beginning of the 17th century is known as the age of Tulips. They believed it was a sacred flower that symbolizes beauty and harmony.
On the other hand, the Japanese loved the Sakura. It is also known as the Japanese cherry blossom. Cherry trees bloom for a short period in spring. They believed it represents hope and renewal. As for Britain, they adopted the roses.
Mainly, the Tudor rose was adopted by Henry VII as the emblem of peace once the War of Roses ended. The War of Roses was the civil war between the royal house of Lancashire and the royal house of York.
It took place in England. The royal house of Lancashire wore red roses. While the royal house of York wore white ones. India and the Lotus, China and the Peony, Mexico and the Poinsettia, and so much more are all different flowers that are favoured by different cultures for different reasons all over the world.
Scientists believe that the first flower to have ever existed is an aquatic plant named the Montsechia Vidalia. It is believed to have been dainty and white. It had curved petals arranged in three each circles. It was first found in Spain.
However, it was in France and England, that giving flowers took over throughout the years. Originally, it all seemed to have started in Turkey. Giving flowers became very widely common during the middle ages. Each flower came to signify a specific emotion or gesture.
For example, giving chrysanthemums symbolizes friendship. Whereas, a rose is a representation of love. Bluebells represent kindness and loyalty. A lily represents purity. Iris is the flower of hope and Carnations tell the person you miss them.
Flowers are a unique form of communication. Even the arrangement of flowers can tell a story. Flower Arranging is an art that started far long ago. It has different rules, types, and styles that people adhere to craft the desired final look of the flower arrangement.
Flower arrangement aims for balance, proportion, harmony, rhythm, and emphasis. There are 9 popular types of flower arrangements. For example, the Elliptical, Vertical, Triangular, Crescent, ‘S-shaped, Oval, and Cascade flower arrangements.
The Western style of flower arrangement is more familiar with symmetrical arrangements. Whereas, the Eastern style is more familiar with asymmetrical arrangements. The Western cares about the mass effect, so they add more flowers. However, the Eastern care more about the individual beauty of each flower.
The Western arrangements may and do touch the rim of the vase. On the other hand, in Eastern arrangements, the flowers never touch the rim of the vase. There is no right way to arrange flowers, but it is an art in itself and should be valued.
We shall carry on with some facts for kids about flowers before we carry on with our learning journey. Flowers still have so much to tell us. Stories vary from one flower to another. Each story is unique and fun to hear about.
There are a total of 195 countries. The ten most famous countries in flower trade, in order, are The Netherlands, Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, Belgium, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany.
The Netherlands is famous for flowers. It is mainly associated with Tulips. However, it is responsible for a variety of different flowers, trees, and bushes being transported all over the world. The Netherlands is ranked as the top country involved in floral trade worldwide.
It exports different varieties of flowers throughout different countries. More than half of the floral trade is being handled by the Netherlands. Each country has a national flower that it is associated with. The Netherlands’ national flower is the Tulip.
Colombia is best known for Orchids, roses, and carnations. Colombia has the largest amount of Orchids worldwide. More than 95 countries prefer to buy roses on Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day. Colombia exports those.
The Orchid Cattleya TTrianais the most famous flower in Colombia. Colombia is also rich in a variety of different flowers. For example, the Cut flowers and Protea flower. The national flower of Colombia is the Cattleya Orchid.
Ecuador is known as the top producing country of roses and summer flowers. There are more than 400 varieties of roses there. Do not get me wrong, it produces different flowers as well, like Orchids. However, it is mostly known for roses.
The location of Ecuador is optimum for growing roses since roses mainly need sunlight. Ecuador is an equatorial country. Meaning it lies on the equator. They grow roses in the Andes Mountains.
The biggest and brightest roses are produced in Ecuador. The country built its success on the floral trade. The rose is the national flower of Ecuador. Black, rainbow, or any colour of roses, can be found in Ecuador.
Kenya is mostly known for growing roses, carnations, and Alstromeria. There are even more types of flowers produced in Kenya. Kenya’s weather is ideal for growing flowers. The Orchid is the unofficial national flower of Kenya.
Kenya did not establish a specific flower as its national flower yet. However, the traditional stunning Orchid is the closest thing Kenya has to a national flower. Kenya has about 110 farms of flower farms.
Belgium is known as the largest producer of Azaleas and Begonia. In addition to many other flowers, like roses, chrysanthemums, and Bluebells. Belgium has mild and humid weather. Its national flower is the Common Red Poppy.
The Common Red Poppy grows in fields and waste places. They have sedative properties and healing abilities. This is why they have long been used in European herbal medicine. Especially, with children or elders. It relieves pain and treats irritable coughs.
Ethiopia produces mostly roses and exports them to the world. In addition to, coriander, myrrh, cardamom, chat, and caraway. Ethiopia is well known for the Rosa abyssinica. The Rosa abyssinica is Africa’s only indigenous rose species.
It is an evergreen Rosaceae with white and creamy fragrant and orange climbing hips. It can be found in high altitudes in Ethiopia. The national flower for Ethiopia is the Calla Lilies. The Calla Lilies are native to South Africa.
Malaysia has over 15,000 species of flowers, plants, and trees. Some are used as decoration and others are still undiscovered in Malaysia’s rainforests. Examples, are Orchids, Rafflesia, Ixora, Sabah Highlands Pitcher Plant, Bougainvillea, Pagoda Flower, and so much more.
More than 800 species of Orchids grow in Malaysia. Rafflesia is one of the largest single flowers out there. It is also known as the ‘Stinking Corpse Lily’. The Stinking Corpse Lily is used to refer to the red and white Rafflesia because of its foul smell.
Whereas, Ixora is known as Jejarum. It is a flowering garden shrub. It translates to Needle Flower. Sabah Highlands Pitcher Plant is one of the most unusual plants in Malaysia.
It is a carnivorous plant. It is tubular structured. It lures insects and vertebrates inside to be digested. BBougainvillaeais the official flower of Ipoh. It enjoys a tropical climate and can be found especially in hot and wet environments.
The Pagoda Flower is also known as Clerodendrum paniculatum. It is one of the most beautiful flowers in Malaysia. The flower is native to Malaysia. As the national flower of Malaysia, it is the Hibiscus Rosa- Sinensis. It is also called bunga raya. Meaning, a great flower in Malay.
Switzerland has so many beautiful flowers flowering all the time. For example, the Swiss Alpine Flowers are known as the jewels of the Alps. It is one of the loveliest sceneries. Especially, when they are in full bloom.
Most of those pretty flowers are endangered. Some are even highly poisonous. Some are shades of pale lilac. Others are deep purple. There are many cheerful colours to admire. The national flower of Switzerland is the Edelweiss. It only grows in the high Alps.
Italy grows lilies, roses, chrysanthemum, Orchids, sunflowers, Mimosa, peonies, carnations, Buttercups, poppies, oleanders, and so much more. Italians love flowers. They especially adore lilies.
It is a special plant with many special names and meanings. Lily is not only the most adored flower but is also considered the national flower of Italy. Lily was the all-time favourite flower during the renaissance age. However, it is now the national favourite in Italy.
The scientific name of the lily is Lilium. It is also known as Asiatic lilies, a stylized lily, and oriental lily. They come in different colours and each colour holds a special significance. The orange is for passion, yellow for happiness, and white for modesty.
Each lily looks different and unique. They range from 4 to 8 petals. They can grow up to 6 feet in height. As for the usage, the Asiatic lily is mainly grown for decoration or oil extraction. Whereas, Oriental lilies are more fragrant.
Germany produces the Freiland Rosa. It is native only to Germany. Ireland means ‘outdoors’. These flowers are mostly produced in summer in open-air conditions. The extreme weather conditions in Germany help people to grow such roses.
The national flower of Germany is the Cornflower. Cornflower is also known as knapweed. It has a remarkable blue colour. However, it is now available in different colours as well. It used to be commonly known as the bachelor’s button because in the 19th century unmarried men and women wore it at their buttonholes to communicate their status.
It grows annually. It is native to Europe. It often grows as a weed in cornfields. For example, wheat, barley, rye, and oats. This is why they are sometimes known as the Cornflowers. However, it is named the Centaurea Cyanus.
Quick Flowers’ Facts
There are a variety of different flowers out there. Each variety has a wide range of types. And each type has a vast amount of colours. We will investigate the wide variety of different flowers we have out there, together!
There are many types of flowers out there. About 300 or more. However, we will discuss only a few of them and you can learn more about the flower types extensively on LearningMole.com. Where, you will find an article about the types of flowers, specifically.
We will mainly, talk about 10 common flower types. The first flower type we will discuss is Aster. Aster is a purple flower with a yellowish centre. It is named after the Greek word ‘Star’. It symbolizes love, wisdom, and colour.
It may bloom in many other colours, like pink, red, white, lilac, or purple. It blooms in late summer or about early fall. They are quite easy to grow and they flourish beautifully. They can survive even in winter.
Carnations
Carnation look like a flourishing spark. It comes in different colours. Each colour varies in meaning. It is commonly found near the Mediterranean region. It is native to the area. It needs to be planted in an area that is subjected to sunlight for about four to six hours per day.
Carnations reflect ideas of fascination and distinction. It is also known as Dianthus Caryophyllus, grenadine, clove pink, or as we call it: carnation. A white carnation is a wish of good luck, innocence, and purity.
It can be found during spring. Light red carnations represent admiration. Dark red carnations express deep affection. Carnation is the birth flower of those who are born in January. Striped carnations symbolize regret.
Daffodils
Daffodils are as William Wordsworth said:
“I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills.
When all at once I saw a crowd;
A host, of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”
They are beautiful yellow flowers. Usually found in spring. They are also known as Narcissus. Narcissus is the Latin name for daffodils. It is said to be named after the son of the river god in Greek mythology.
They represent rebirth and new beginnings since they bloom right after the winter frost. Daffodils can last up to 10 days in a vase. They represent hope. They come in white as well. They are a symbol of positivity and forgiveness.
However, one single daffodil means bad luck. Daffodils multiply by adding bulbs indefinitely. This is why they are believed to hold an infinite life span. In other words, a very long life span.
Dahlia is natively a Mexican flower. They are bushy. Dahlias come in different colours. They are sun lovers. The more sun they are subjected to, the better they grow. They need at least six hours in the sun daily.
They are easy to plant. Dahlias bloom beautifully from mid-summer through fall. A blooming season can last up to 4 months. They used to be a religious symbol. A dahlia expresses wealth and elegance.
Daisy
Daisies can be found all over the world. On every continent. Except for Antarctica. Daisies tend to open in the morning and close at night. Maybe that is why they are known as day’s eye. It relates to the Old English name ‘daeges eage’.
Daisies have white petals with a circular golden yellow centre. It refers to childbirth and motherhood. It symbolizes new beginnings and rebirth as well. It is made up of two flowers. The yellow centre and the petal florets. Sometimes the petals can be colourful.
Lilies are also known as Lilium. They are incredible pollinators as they attract many insects with their colourful flowers and tasty nectar. They have large petals that can range in colour. From white, yellow, orange, red, purple, to pink. Some even have freckles.
Lilies are commonly thought to represent devotion or purity. For example, the Virgin Mary. They can even symbolize the rebirth of hope. It is usually used at funerals because it may refer to death. The lilies that are given at funeral service are known as the white stargazer lily.
Orchid
Orchids are believed to have healing abilities. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen just like any other plant. Orchids flourish when subjected to the sun. They symbolize beauty and elegance. They are believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
They are believed to have legendary healing qualities. They are a common addition to homes and farms. Different traditional cultures have long used them for healing and medications. For example, the Chinese and Ayurvedic.
Rose
Roses are a wonderful expression of love and affection. They come in different types and have a variety of colours. The number of roses given also makes a difference. For example, giving 10 roses is like saying: “You Are Perfect!”
12 roses means be mine and 13 is not so in love. Red roses symbolize love and romance. Pink roses are the women’s favourite. They symbolize gratitude. Orange symbolize passion and enthusiasm. Whereas, yellow symbolize friendship.
Rose petals are eatable. Roses teach us that no matter what you are going through, you are still spreading joy by existing. Roses have thorns at every stage in its life. From when they are still buds till full bloom. They always spread joy by merely looking at them.
Sunflower
Sunflowers follow the sun throughout the day as we previously mentioned. They provide vibrancy and energy. They are known as happy flowers. They remind us of the sun. Sunflowers are a symbol of positivity.
They make our admiration and loyalty attribute show by giving them. Sunflowers attract bees and pest-patrolling birds which eventually improves the harvest. They can live from 8 to 12 weeks. Usually at the beginning of July till October.
Tulips are the flowers of love. They represent perfect and deep love. They are also known for their vibrant bold colours. They have beautiful shapes as well. They are long, broad, and have parallel-veined leaves that are cup-shaped. They may even appear in different colours.
Usually with six petals. However, they have only three petals and the other three are sepals that appear as petals. They are usually associated with forgiveness. The Tulip is the national flower of Iran.
Flowers are sure pretty. They bring joy by just admiring them, but have you ever wondered why they are important? Well, they have many functions, we bet you didn’t know about them. Let us tell you a few of them.
We will tell you a lot about the manufacture of flowers, what do we extract from them, and what is its usage. We will discuss how essential are flowers in the medical field and medicines by concentrating on herbalism.
Finally, we will tell you how magnificent flowers make everything seem. We will elaborate on examples of cities that mainly use flowers for decoration while we discuss their different artistic features.
Flowers are used in different manufacturing processes. They are used in cooking and food manufacturing. Flowers are also used in making perfumes. Their oils are used for different purposes as well. In addition to that, flowers are used in cosmetics.
We will learn about each of the three manufacturing processes. The first process is the cooking and food manufacture. Flowers are used extensively in food production and are even used as ingredients in cooking.
Some flowers are edible and their petals make delicious snacks. For example, roses. There are a lot of edible flowers that take cooking up a notch. We will discuss a few types of those flowers. However, not every plant that smells good is tasty.
Just remember that some plants and flowers can be poisonous, so make thorough research before cooking with a flower or just stick to the following list because we did our research and you are safe to go.
The Hibiscus flower has a sweet yet citrus taste. People say the taste reminds them of cranberries. They are added fresh or dry into teas or other hot beverages. In addition to being used as a garnish for a fresh salad.
Usually, Hibiscus is grown for ornamental purposes. However, it is also widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes. It is edible. Still, it tastes better when used for tea, jam, or salad. Most people drink Hibiscus tea for medical purposes.
To create such tea, you should steep the dried pieces in hot water. It creates a deep rose-coloured infusion. It is plain but has a subtle, tart, and floral flavour. It is also a great flavour addition to drinks and dishes.
Carnation
The petals of Carnation taste sweet. However, the base of the flower is bitter. So, make sure to separate them. “What’s Cooking America”, a culinary show, stated that Carnations are the secret behind the making of Chartreuse.
Chartreuse is a French liqueur since the 17th century. Only the petals are edible. Carnations can be used as desserts, to decorate pasta dishes, or in cooking rice. You name it! They have sweet-tasting petals for every sweet- tooth out there.
Carnations are the second most cultivated flower after the roses. Each colour of carnations stands for a different entity or occasion. For example, pink Carnations are a representation of motherly love. Whereas, red Carnations are a necessity for Chinese weddings.
Sunflower
Closed Sunflower buds that have not opened up yet can be steamed and eaten as you would eat an artichoke. Its bright yellow petals add flavour and colours to our everyday salad. Sunflower oil is used for different variety of usages.
You can even cook the flower head of the Sunflower. Let us investigate how to do so step by step, together. First off, preheat your grill to medium heat. Remove all the outer and inner petals. This will reveal the creamy seeds.
Brush it all over in olive oil. Dust some sea salt and place it head down on the grill. Cover the head for 5 minutes. Then, remove the head and add a bit more oil and season it however you like. Now, take one big bite.
Lilacs have a variety of flavours. They range from bitter to bittersweet. However, it has a lemony taste with a floral overtone. It has a slightly bitter taste with its perfumed fragrance. Some may find that it tastes like citrus. Quite the zesty flavour.
Lilacs are great in fresh salads. They also make a good addition to candied or crystalized with a mixture of egg whites and sugar. The simplest most known way to enjoy Lilacs is by an infusion of the flowers to create Lilac sugar.
Lilacs are edible, specifically the flowers themselves. They do not contain any form of poison or harmful substances that may harm humans, animals, or upset the stomach. You can make Lilac honey, Lilac astringent, or sugar them for dessert.
People love to eat Chrysanthemums. It tastes a bit like cauliflower. It has a tangy and peppery taste. The petals are usually added to fresh salads. Young leaves and stems are added to an Asian dish called Chop Suey.
It is also added to Shingiku as it is known in Japanese. The base of the flower can be extremely bitter. However, it is still widely used in different cooking recipes as a favourable ingredient. Chrysanthemum may be similar in taste to cauliflower, but it still has a unique taste of its own.
The taste is commonly referred to as a Chinese flavour taste. The leaves of Chrysanthemum are eatable even in their raw state. They can be eaten as they are, cooked to taste even better, or added to the food to enrich the taste.
Nasturtiums are one of the most enchanting additions to cooking. It is commonly used in cooking. The colourful flowers are sweet yet slightly peppery. It is just the right amount. It reminds us of the watercress.
Nasturtiums can be added to fresh salads. It fills up the savoury stuffing taste. We can even use their seed pods as a pocket-friendly alternative to capers. We can even use them as a sweet peppery addition to sandwiches, appetizers, and even cocktails.
The leaves of Nasturtiums are eatable. They make beautiful garnishes. Not only the leaves, but the whole flower is fully edible. The leaves, flowers, and seeds are all edible. They are a good source of vitamin C. Always remember, that they have a peppery taste.
The petals of Peonies are sweet. They are usually added to tea or water to infuse flavour. Especially, in China. It is also used in giving a nice appearance to the salad or cold beverage. Peony petals are so pretty and quite tasty.
Peonies are fragrant. The petals may taste good, but the roots, flowers, and seeds are toxic. It will cause poisoning. That will result in diarrhoea, skin irritation, tremors, and an accelerated heartbeat. So, be sure to split the petals from the roots and eat only the petals.
Peonies may look beautiful and smell nice, but they are quite toxic. So, only eat the petals or avoid the flower altogether. Not every flower is completely edible on our list. Some have specific parts that are edible. Others are fully edible to the roots.
Roses
Finally, the roses. You see, roses are pretty and fragrant. In addition to being quite tasty. The flavours differ. It depends on the growing condition which varies. The flavour and taste would make you think of strawberries or green apples.
All roses are edible. Darker coloured roses have a stronger flavour. We can use roses in a variety of ways. They can be added to salads, desserts, spreads, jam, butter, and so much more. The options are endless.
It can taste sweet, subtle, or range from fruit to mint to spice. You can freeze them in ice cubes or add them to drinks. The flower petals can be used to make jellies, syrups, or perfumed butter. Make sure you remove the bitter white portion of the petals.
Nearly everyone would agree that flowers smell good. Their good smell makes them a good ingredient to add to perfumes. Perfumes are a luxury to some people and a necessity to others. However, we can all agree that they smell good.
Flowers make perfumes smell so much better and they may even change the colour of the perfume. We will mention a few flowers that are used in perfume manufacturing and we hope you find your next favourite perfume among them.
Roses
Roses are known as the queen of flowers. Roses are an essential ingredient in many floral perfumes. They are harvested by night. That’s because they carry a strong scent before sunrise. This is why they are usually harvested by night.
Rosa Centifolia and Rosa Damascene are two types of flowers that are widely used in perfume making worldwide. Rosa Centifolia is found in the south of France. Rosa Damascene is found in most Arab countries.
The notes are mostly used in perfumes because they offer a very refreshing scent that can mesmerize people’s senses. You can create your perfume with roses at home. It usually involves rose petals and some water.
Lavender
Lavender is one of the most beautiful sweet-smelling flowers out there. It is used for many different purposes. Culinary, medical, and perfumery. They are flowers that are native to the old world.
They can be found across the Canary Island, South Europe, North and East Africa, the Mediterranean, and India. Lavender’s fragrance is unique. One of the most fragrant species of lavender is the hybrid Lavandin Lavender.
Lavender can be used to make your very own perfume at home. Some grain alcohol, 8 drops of vanilla oleoresin, and 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Combine them in a small bottle that is about 10 ML.
Jasmine
Jasmine is one of the sweet-smelling and pleasantly modest flowers. Their fragrance is at its peak just before dawn. They are processed immediately before their fragrance fades away. They are found in tropical regions all over the world.
They come in white and yellowish colours. They are widely used in the manufacturing of perfumes and cosmetics because of their mesmerizing fragrance. Jasmine flowers are used in aromatherapy.
Dried Jasmine flowers are used to make tea and have a nice scent that has a calming effect on the brain. “Jasmine” is a Persian word. Its origin is Yasmine. It means fragrance. There are more than 200 species of Jasmine out there.
Only two out of the 200 are used in perfumery. Jasmine Sambac is the first. It is native to China and India, but it mainly grows in India. The second is Jasmine Grandiflorum. It is native to Afghanistan and Iran, but commonly grown in France.
Violet is very common in the perfume industry. Due to its magnificent fragrance. Violets can be dated back to Ancient Greece in 500 B.C. They are native to the Northern Hemisphere, Hawaii, Australia, and the Andes in South America.
Two specific species of Violets are mainly used in the perfume industry. The first one is Victoria Violet. The second is the Parma Violet. Violets usually contain a chemical called ionine.
This chemical is responsible for desensitizing the nose and sense of smell. It is used in the production of perfumes, oils, and lotions because of its scent. Violets smell soft and can create a perfume with a very feminine fragrance.
Tuberose has a strong scent. Which is one of the reasons it is used in making perfumes. Once you smell Tuberose, you cannot help but remember the smell of gardens. That is because it smells more earthly than most fragrances.
Tuberose has metallic and buttery hints in its scent. However, it does not always smell good. Beware. When its petals turn brown, the smell turns to that of rot. As long as it is blooming, you are on the safe side.
It can smell spicy, creamy, or even as an exotic floral ingredient. Tuberose is considered one of the most expensive raw materials in creating a perfume. That is because 3600 Kg are used to extract only 0.5 Kg of the Tuberose oil. Which is a tiny amount.
Ylang Ylang is not white, but it is white at heart. Meaning, it shares the features of white flowers. White flowers have fragrant scents. So does Ylang Ylang. It smells spicy, fruity, and heady.
In other words, Ylang Ylang is white at heart. It is referred to as the “Jasmine of the poor”. It is one exotic flower that is so sweet. Not as food, but sweet in smell. It originated from South Wast Asia, but it can be found all over Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas.
Ylang Ylang can grow on trees or even on a vine. It produces large and long yellow or green flowers. They are usually picked up when they are most fragrant. That is when they have a reddish tint to them.
Frangipani is also known as Plumeria. Plumeria grows on trees. It can be white, yellow, or pink. It is a flower with an exotic scent of tropical wind. These flowers are native to tropical regions of South-East Asia, the Caribbean, and Brazil.
The same as Jasmine and Tuberose, Plumeria is most fragrant at night. Plumeria trick pollinators into pollinating them since they have and produce no nectar. It smells similar to Jasmine and Tuberose.
However, its scent is distinguished. It may contain a hint of lemon. It is believed to have the strongest scent among all the floral fragrances. That is why it is one of the basic ingredients of most perfumes.
Narcissus is one of the few wildflowers that is used in commercial fragrances. It is native to meadows and woods across Southern Europe and North Africa. It is widely grown across Asia and the Middle East.
The origin of the name is not exactly known. However, it somehow links to the Greek word ‘Narke’. This word means narcotic. This term suits the scent of these flowers wonderfully. It is usually also related to the Greek myth of Narcissus.
It tells the story of a handsome youth who one day was passing by a pond. He fell in love almost instantly. Once his eyes fell upon his reflection. Some say he fell in and drowned. Others say he turned into stone as time passed.
Others believe he perished away with time. However, they all agreed that Narcissus was his name. So, they called the flower that grew in the place he used to sit and admire his reflection after his name. The word refers to the story and so the name is associated with the flower.
Flowers do not only smell and taste good, they also look good and help us look even better. Some flowers are used in the manufacture of cosmetics. Cosmetics are not an everyday necessity to most people, but it is indeed an undeniably important matter to others.
Flowers are involved in the manufacturing of those undeniably important cosmetics. We will discuss a few flowers that are used in the manufacture of cosmetics. Sunflower and Hibiscus oils are used in cosmetics to brighten the skin and moisturize it.
While they can also soften the hair and add shine to it. Roses, on the other hand, smell good, taste good, and look good. Because of their sweet fragrance, gentle texture on the skin, and nice colours, some roses are mostly used in manufacturing cosmetics.
Roses contain a variety of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. That is beneficial for the skin. Its oils are awesome for moisturizing dry skin. It also offers astringent properties. That makes it an excellent combatant of acne, redness, and inflammation.
Lavender, on the other hand, has many properties that allow it to gracefully enter the cosmetics field. It reduces acne. Lavender detoxifies the skin. It soothes irritation. Lavender tones your skin. It calms down the brain because of its soothing fragrance.
In turn, it helps us sleep. It is the perfect cure for anxiety and depression. Lavender also helps with hair loss problems. It gets rid of dandruff. Lavender can do so much more. That is why it became a vital ingredient in the production of cosmetics.
Saponaria is another one of those flowers that are considered the first choice of cosmetic development brands. That is because it has many properties that can be used in different variety of products.
It can be used as a powerful tool in your fight against acne. Saponaria contains natural chemical compounds that allow it to moisturize the skin. It rejuvenates it by creating rejuvenating masks, body oils, and so much more.
Chamomile mostly helps people relax because of its captivating and soothing fragrance. It is also used widely in skincare products. For example, in the creams, we use to keep our skin hydrated and moisturized.
It is also mainly used as an ingredient in the preparation of anti-inflammatory creams. It helps in improving the health of our bodies. It contains powerful anti-oxidants. For example, polyphenols and phytochemicals.
Once applied to the skin, it helps accelerate cell and tissue renewal. Therefore, it is used in anti-ageing creams or in the manufacture of products that protect the skin. According to Engelman, it reduces the appearance of fine lines and gives the skin a youthful glow.
Verbena, on the other hand, can be used in cooking, but it is mainly used as an undeniably essential element in the development of cosmetics. It helps recover the original state of the skin and keeps the skin hydrated.
Some acne creams use Verbena mainly, but it is also widely used as an important ingredient in other cosmetics products and skin-care elements. It is used in making deodorants and hand wipes because of its nice-smelling aroma.
Flowers are not just sweet-smelling, tasty, and pretty. They are also handy. Flowers are used as herbs and cures in medical fields in a wide variety of countries. Some flowers are special because of their healing properties.
We will mention a few flowers that have these healing properties. Some flowers have proved throughout history that they have extraordinary healing abilities. They were used as a cure to almost every illness and as medicaments during the war.
Lotus is considered sacred in some countries and others, it is used as an everyday element in medicinal usage. It contains chemicals that decrease swelling, and kill cancer cells and bacteria. It also helps reduce blood sugar, break down fat, and protect the heart and blood vessels.
The Chemicals in Lotus help protect the skin, liver, and brain. Some people experienced feeling ‘high’ as a result of consuming the blue Lotus plant. It got them in a state of euphoria. This is one of the reasons why blue Lotus consumption is not approved in the United States.
It is also known as the sacred Lotus in some countries. The flowers, seeds, leaves, and some parts of the underground stem, also known as rhizome, of the Lotus are used to make medicines. It is used to stop bleeding. In addition to being used to treat digestive disorders, like diarrhoea.
Lavender
Lavender dates back to the ancient Egyptians. Lavender played a crucial role in the mummification process. The word itself can be traced back down to its Latin roots. It was ‘Lavare’. That meant in Latin ‘to wash’.
As time went on, Lavender was a wonderful addition to bathtubs in several regions. For example, Ancient Persia, Greece, and Rome. These cultures believed that Lavender helped purify the body and the mind.
Lavender has been used to reduce many symptoms and improve multiple conditions. It was recommended for people suffering from sleep disorders. Such as insomnia. Lavender helps improve our sleep patterns and the quality of our sleep.
The aroma itself and inhaling it would eventually improve the sleep pattern. Lavender was also prescribed for those suffering from anxiety. It helps decrease anxiety as well. In addition to helping us with our hair loss problems.
It stimulates hair growth in about 28 days frame. The secret is consistency. It also helps with migraine and headaches. Lavender soothes headaches and migraines away. It also helps in handling and dealing with the side effects of chemotherapy.
It treats depression. Lavender helps fight off acne. It is also applied to burns as a traditional remedy to treat them. It helps improve skin conditions overall. It helps soothe wounds and makes them heal much faster.
Jasmine
Jasmine is used for a variety of purposes, but we will mainly talk about its medicinal features and usages. Jasmine oil is extracted from Jasmine. It is an essential oil that came from the plant we call Jasmine or Jasminum Officinale.
It has been popular for its sweet scent. It is used in the making of the world’s best-known perfumes, like Chanel No.5. It is also used in food, desserts, sweets, and alcohol. Jasmine oil can also be used as a home remedy to treat almost everything we suffer from.
It has lots and lots of health benefits. Jasmine is also used as an antidepressant. Aromatherapy is believed to reduce depressive symptoms. It boosts blood oxygen saturation and blood pressure. It helps people become more alert.
Jasmine improves the overall mood of the person. Jasmine oil is usually used in aromatherapy. Jasmine is also used as an antiseptic. The plant has antiseptic properties. Jasmine can be used in treating or preventing infections.
When diluted and directly applied to the skin or may be used to rinse oral infections. Jasmine has a romantic fragrance. It is also used as an antispasmodic. It reduces spasms. It is also used as a sedative.
Jasmine has sedative properties. It has a calming effect. The name ‘Jasmine’ can be traced back to its Persian roots. It used to mean ‘Gift from God’. Jasmine is highly sacred in India and the Himalayas.
Indian women use it to scent their hair and call it the “moonlight of the grove”. It is the national flower of Pakistan. It is also a sacred flower of the Kama, known as the God of Love. In the Himalayas of Western Chine, Jasmine is known as the ‘Queen of the Flowers’.
It helps with stress and insomnia. The delicate flower of Jasmine can create a fragrant tea with a soothing effect. It is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants interact with gastrointestinal enzymes to facilitate better nutrient absorption.
It eliminates harmful bacteria and promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the stomach. It relieves indigestion. Jasmine deals with stomach cramps. It also soothes inflammation. Jasmine may be a delicate flower, but surely one with huge effects.
Sunflower
Sunflowers are native to the Americas. They are used for many purposes. Among those purposes, we have medicine. They have been used in medicinal remedies since the dawn of day. In our modern times, sunflowers still hold the status of medicinal properties.
It helps regulate cholesterol levels. Sunflower oil is rich in fatty acids. Those acids are healthy and they help lower harmful cholesterol levels. This, in turn, reduces the risk of heart attacks and atherosclerosis.
Sunflowers also help strengthen the bones since the seeds contain high levels of vitamins and minerals. These prevent age-related diseases. For example, osteoporosis and arthritis. Sunflowers also promote brain health because their seeds contain high levels of essential minerals.
Those minerals are considered brain food. They are harvested from the flower head. The seed itself is encased in a black and white striped shell. The seeds of sunflowers have a distinctive nutty flavour to them.
Chamomile is one of the most familiar medicinal herbs out there. The tea made out of Chamomile leaves was and still is used in traditional remedies. It mainly calms anxiety disorders and relieves stomach pain and cramps.
It may also relieve an upset stomach. Treat heartburn. Deal with nausea and vomiting. Chamomile does so much more. It helps with wound healing. Mainly, it is used for treating sleep, stomach, digestion, bruises, inflammation, and headache problems.
It is still being investigated as a treatment for diabetes. Chamomile is also known as Matricaria Recutita. It is sometimes also referred to as German Chamomile. It is a native herb to Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is also grown in North America.
Germany uses it as a treatment for coughs, bronchitis, and fevers. It contains many elements that are key to many other diseases and disorders. It is often consumed as herbal tea that soothes the mind and the brain.
Calendula is a plant. The flower is used to make medicine. Calendula is used to relieve and prevent muscle spasms. It helps reduce fever. It is also used to treat sore throat and mouth. Calendula helps with cramps, cancer, and stomach indigestion.
Calendula is also known as Pot Marigold. It is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. It has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to being used in cosmetics, soaps, and shampoos.
It is also used as a wound treatment. The name Calendula is derived from the Latin name Calendar. It refers to the blooming season. It is also known as Marigold. The oil is extracted and used for different purposes.
Flowers, undeniably, look pretty and they make everything else look good. Some countries mainly use flowers as inspiration to design their buildings or decorate the place for a specific occasion. Other countries usually use flowers to decorate their gardens and houses.
Some people just love to decorate themselves using flowers. That includes their dresses, hairstyles, as well as cosmetics, as we previously elaborated. We will investigate each of them as much as time allows us to. In the end, we hope you can determine what your country mainly uses flowers for.
Flowers inspired many works of art, they still do, and they always will. Flowers do not only taste, smell, and look good, but also they spread goodness. Some countries went looking for flowers when they wanted to build and decorate.
Other countries still seek out flowers as their main source of inspiration. We will talk about a few buildings that were inspired by flowers. Then, we will discuss how flowers are used as a decoration inside buildings for a specific occasion or as an everyday beautiful sight.
It is designed to look like a Lotus Flower. It is located in Delhi, India. It is a Bahai House of Worship that is open to people of every belief. Wherever your faith and beliefs lie, this place is open for you to explore.
The Lotus flower is one of the flowers that are considered sacred in India. The structure is shaped like that of the petal of the Lotus flower. The structure is clad in white marble. That white marble came from Greece.
The National Museum of the 21st Century Arts is also known as MAXXI. It is the masterpiece of Zaha Hadid. Zaha Hadid is a Roman artist. The MAXXI museum contains many exhibits that are truly works of art.
However, it particularly contained The Golden Lotus piece. That piece was inspired by the shape of the Lotus flower. It was created by Choi Jeong- Hwa. Another artist could not help, but admires the beauty of flowers and sculptured it into life.
Muslims go to Mosques to pray their five prayers a day. A Mosque is a holy place just like a Church or a Temple. They are all places where people go to pray and practice their religion. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque lies in Abu Dhabi.
Its floors are covered in beautiful floral mosaics. They were designed by the artist Kevin Dean. The designs cover most, if not all, of the floors of the Mosque. The designs cover the interior walls and floors as well as the courtyard.
The Marina Bay Sands resort lies in Singapore. It contains a beautifully designed Art Science Museum. It was inspired by the Lotus flowers as well. Moshe Safdie found this inspiration that resulted in this beautiful piece of architecture.
The building is designed based on the shape of a Lotus flower. Each petal features a skylight. That skylight is at the tip of the pedal. To illuminate the interior that is visible to the people outside with natural light.
Burj Khalifa is located in Dubai. The architecture was inspired by the Spider Lily. The Spider Lily is also commonly known as Hymenocallis. It was designed by the architects at SOM. The three-pronged footprints of the tower are more or fewer abstractions of the Spider Lily.
The plant inspired the architects to the point that they decided to work day and night on bringing this inspiration to life. They have thoroughly succeeded. The building is now considered the tallest skyscraper in the world.
The Hangzhou Sports Center is located in Beijing. It was designed for a specific purpose. The Hangzhou Sports Center was designed for the 2022 Winter Olympics that will take place in Beijing.
The building is inspired by the Lotus flower. The Lotus flower has indeed inspired many buildings and architecture. The Hangzhou Sports Center was designed by NBBJ. Intended to look like a Lotus- façade that is wrapped in white petals.
The Prentice Women’s Hospital is a part of Northwestern University’s campus in downtown Chicago. However, it is now demolished. It was designed by Bertrand Goldberg. The artist was inspired by a cloverleaf.
A single fragile cloverleaf inspired a whole architectural building. It was completed in 1975. It was one of the very few first structures that were designed using computers. The Brutalist structure was one of the few of the first whose plans were made and mapped out using computers.
Quizhong Tennis Center is located in Shanghai. It was inspired by the magnolia flower. It is a beautiful flower. The Quizhong Tennis Center features a dynamic roof that consists of petals. The roof closes and opens depending on the weather.
The Grand Lisboa is located in Macau. Specifically, in the Grand Lisboa hotel and casino. It was also inspired by the blossoming Lotus. Therefore, the postmodern design resembles the blossoming Lotus.
Flowers did not only inspire works of art and buildings, but they also helped improve our moods by just being there. That is why you would see flowers in Churches, gardens, or events. We will pick a few flowers to talk about in decorating weddings.
Rose
Rose is the symbol of Love. This is why it is popularly used as a decoration at weddings. It comes in different colours. Because of the variety of colours it comes in, it is easily paired with other flowers for decoration.
Roses look pretty in almost everything. They look pretty in large arrangements. They look good as centrepieces. They look good as bouquets. They look good in a corsage. They look good in almost everything.
They would and will add to the beauty of a well-decorated wedding event or venue. Roses are elegant. They are also fresh. Those two features make roses one of the most frequently used flowers in decoration because they fit for every celebration.
Daisy
Daisy, on the other hand, is a traditional wedding flower. It also comes in a variety of different colours. Which is one of the reasons why it is usually used by people in venue decorations for occasions and events.
Rustic and vintage are simply asking for a daisy. It is the perfect flower for decorating the event in rustic or vintage themes. Daisies make the perfect centrepiece for such weddings. The arrangements and bouquets will be dominated by those colourful daisies.
It is quite easy to fix daisies up with other flower arrangements. They simply fit in right away. Plus, they are low- maintenance. So do not worry about watering them now and then. Daisies are a smart choice for your wedding themed venue.
Carnation
Carnations are quite affordable if you are looking for something high quality, good appearance, and on budget, then you have come to the right place. Carnations are the perfect addition to almost every event out there. Especially, weddings.
Carnations are available in a variety of shades and colours. You can choose any shade based on the theme of your event and the other plants or flowers involved in the event. It all falls back to your personal preference.
These flowers last way longer than your normal flower. Not to mention, they look extra fancy. Which makes them the perfect fit for your extravagant wedding right there. Did I mention, they are quite affordable?
Fluffy and cute? We got you right here! Look no further, Hydrangea are on the go. Do you want to make your big party a success? Fill it up with flowers? However, you ended up unsure which flower is the perfect fit for your cute party.
Well, Hydrangea is here now, worry no more. It will fill up all that extra space right there. The bouquet, centrepieces, and the décor. Especially, in summer. It comes in different varieties of shades and colours.
They are usually used up along with other flowers to increase the volume and give shape to the flowers as a whole. They greatly add to the look of the overall theme. Hydrangea increases the volume of the bouquets or vases. They will certainly add a magical touch to your event.
Orchid
Did you mention charming and beautiful? Well, orchids are right here. They represent all the charm and beauty you can look for in one flower. They will most certainly add to your overall look of the theme.
Whether traditional or modern, orchids will do the trick. They look gorgeous on almost every occasion they set foot in. One arrangement or a single stem will look good anyways. The number does not matter as long as it’s orchids.
Delicately sweet orchids come in different varieties and shades. They are the perfect addition to your wedding or event if I may say. A glass vase with orchids in it will look heavenly perfect as a delicate theme.
Some flowers are a must-have addition to our gardens. We will demonstrate a few flowers that will add to your garden by just blossoming there. Gardens reflect the beauty of the eye of the beholder.
Angelonia is a beautiful stem flower that has a wide range of varieties. It has different colours and types. There are about 30 types of Angelonia stem flowers out there. Angelmist Lavender Angelonia and Serenita Raspberry Angelonia are two examples.
Azaleas bloom in spring. They can and would tolerate shade. They often last several weeks. They are found usually near or under trees. Azaleas are flowering shrubs. They come in a variety of different shades and colours.
Begonias are also known as wax begonias or bedding begonias. It is an annual plant that grows quickly and fills up space. They are attractive frilly flowers. Some say they are even deer-resistant.
Calibrachoa is also known as million bells. It is one of the most popular plants that are grown outdoors. It comes in rainbow colours and a variety of shapes. They are best planted in spring. They will grow and bloom throughout the season.
Clematis or as some may call it ‘Queen of the Vines’. Comes in different varieties of colours and shapes. However, it is agreed that it will always give that ‘wow’ addition to the landscape of your garden.
We have spoken a bit about the importance of flowers, but we haven’t fully covered their significance and the value they add to our relations. Each type of flower, specific number of flowers, and the colour of the flowers as well as their arrangement all matter.
Each one of those has a huge impact and is undeniably significant. We will review some flowers, the months and their relation to flowers, and discuss different styles of flower arrangements in as much detail as possible.
Black-eyed Susan is bright yellow with daisy-like petals and an almost black centre. It usually flourishes between June and October. They are considered a symbol of encouragement and wisdom. It is an important food and shelter for different animals and insects.
For example, slugs, rabbits, and deer. Even butterflies lay their eggs on it. For example, Silvery Checkerspot. The Black-eyed Susan thrives in the sun. It attracts parasitic insects that lay their eggs on the flower as well. For example, blister beetles.
Black-eyed Susan is also known as Rudbeckia hirta. It is native to Eastern and central North America. Black-eyed Susan is also naturalized in the Western part of the continent as well as China.
Catmint is also known as Catnip, Nepeta Cataria, or Catswort. However, it is not Catnip. Catnip stimulates cats, but catmint does not. They are often mistaken for one another. To the point, people refer to Catmint saying “oh, look Catnip” Na- ah, buddy, those are Catmint. Not Catnip.
Catmint has a long history of being used as a traditional herbal remedy. Usually, it is used to treat digestive system disorders. It stimulates sweating. It is useful in reducing fevers and dealing with them.
Catmint can grow up to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Catmint is actually from the mint plants family. It usually flourishes during summer. It grows quickly and is known as deer-resistant. It can be planted from spring to early fall.
Chrysanthemums are sometimes known as mums or chrysanths. They are native to East Asia and northeastern Europe. Most of the species originated in East Asia. However, they became common in the centre of diversity, China.
Chrysanthemums differ in connotations, depending on the culture. In Malta, they see the flower as a bad omen. It is associated with funerals and death. It is considered bad luck to bring it into the house.
In Japan, however, they see Chrysanthemum as a wonderfully happy and cheerful flower. It is often referred to Chrysanthemum as ‘the Queen of Fall Flowers. Over time, Chrysanthemums became associated with death in European cultures.
Lantana looks pretty unique and colourful. However, it is quite toxic for most livestock. Lantana needs sun to flourish and bloom wonderfully. They are evergreen shrubs. They grow rapidly and spread tall.
They look pretty, but as we already mentioned they are quite toxic. There is a difference between Lantana and Verbena. Lantana is climbing plants. Whereas, Verbena’s maximum reaches between three to six feet tall.
Lavender
Lavender is native to northern Africa and the regions that are full of mountains on the Mediterranean. It is used, grown, and cultivated for many purposes. One of them is for the production of its essential oil.
Lavender is used for medicinal purposes and so much more. However, its essential oil may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction. It was reported that in some cases it caused nausea, vomiting, or headache after the usage of lavender.
We are probably all familiar with the song that goes; Lavender’s blue, dilly, dilly
Thanks to Cinderella 2015 movie. Since we are talking about lavender, we should probably mention that this song was also sung by Dinah Shore in 1948. Now, back to talking about the plant, lavender is not all dilly, dilly.
It is quite poisonous to cats and dogs as well, so be careful which bush is your pet playing in, assuming that your pet is either a cat or a dog that is. Lavender has different nationalities. It may be French or English or even otherwise.
Lavender is also known as Lavandula. However, it is commonly known as lavender. Lavender flowers represent purity, silence, devotion, serenity, grace, and calmness. The distinguished purple colour gives off a sense of royalty.
It speaks of elegance, as some may say. The colour purple is associated with the crown chakra. That is the energy centre associated with a higher purpose in life. It represents spiritual connectivity.
Spiritually, lavender symbolizes purity, devotion, and love. Lavender helps out when it comes to the mind. It helps calm the mind and that may be why it is usually used in spiritual healing sessions.
It is known that lavender evokes serenity and a sense of purification. Not only that but also it is considered to have a feminine colour as some believe. Others think it just resembles the ‘grown-up’ pink. What do you think?
Lavender is used in purification rituals. Lavender’s essential oils and perfumes are worn by high priests and nobilities. Of course, we only spoke of lavender’s significance briefly and even its medicinal properties are brief as well. Lavender represents so much more.
Snapdragon
Snapdragons represent strength. They grow in rocky and uninhabitable areas. Some say they may represent deviousness and grace. As they are usually used as charms against falsehood as some may call it or ward off evil spirits.
Snapdragons represent grace and virtue. The stems of snapdragons stand up straight looking up to the sky. They carry themselves with excellent posture almost effortlessly. They emit poise and confidence.
Snapdragons are the perfect gift to give to someone you highly appreciate, respect, and may look up to. Especially, if you want to show gratitude. It is the perfect form of expression of appreciation and showing you think highly of someone or hold them in high regard.
Reasons may vary. However, you would certainly give snapdragon to someone you appreciate in your life. It may even be considered a way to express how you see that person. It represents particularly graceful people even in difficult situations.
Alyssum is also known as sweet Alyssum. It evokes feelings of calmness and sweetness. It attracts beneficial insects to your garden. Whether your garden consists of flowers or vegetables. In the language of flowers, sweet alyssum is known as a flower that is sweet and calm.
You can call it angelic if you may. Some believe that sweet alyssum protects those who wear it from dangerous situations. The name alyssum is derived from the Greek word ‘lyssa’. It translates to ‘anger’ or ‘bitterness’.
Yarrow is also known as the devil’s nettle. As in the devil’s plaything. It was also known as the old man’s pepper due to its pungent flavour. It is used for beer making in Sweden. Yarrow is considered a herb.
It is widely used to make medicine. It helps treat fever, common cold, and hay fever. Not only those, but also helps in dealing with diarrhoea, loss of appetite, and induced sweating. People chew it to relieve toothache.
Yarrow is a beautiful flower that shares both the meanings of healing and love. In many languages, Yarrow is associated with healing. It originated from Ancient Greek mythology. The Yarrow plant is also used for divination in Chinese culture.
Each flower represents a month. Each person has a birth flower. There are numerous flowers out there. The pattern and order may differ. However, we will try to provide you with the most common pattern of birth flowers. So, you can successfully choose and determine which your birth flower is? Buckle up!
Flowers are art because they have artistic features and they inspire art. They make everything look way better. They are used in manufacture and decoration. Mainly, decoration. Because art is meant to be shared.
Flowers share this beauty by existing. They inspire artists to create art. The flowers smell good. The flowers look good. Flowers taste good. Some flowers taste good, but not all. Also, not all flowers look and smell good.
We have already told you about the corpse flower. The ugliest and smelliest flower on the entire Earth. It smells like a rotten corpse. It has been labelled as the ugliest flower in the world. So, no, not all flowers look and smell good.
Especially, not all flowers taste good. Some are toxic and can cause severe damage to our skin if we are not careful. However, flowers are used for many different purposes. We will elaborate on the decorating aspect of flowers.
Flowers have long been used for their different qualities. Especially, beauty. Flowers look pretty, especially if they are arranged in a specific order or shape. Throughout the years, people developed different flower arranging styles.
That brought about the beauty of the flowers used in the flowers’ arrangement even more. People, naturally, admired such beauty. More and more people started doing it. Eventually, it became a daily practice in some countries and an act of elegance in others.
Ancient Egyptians arranged flowers in beautiful patterns. Specific flowers were worshipped and treasured. Let us learn some more about the Egyptian flower arrangement style, together. First off, we must mention the Lotus.
The Lotus was one of the sacred flowers of the Ancient Egyptians. The Ancient Egyptians called flowers ‘garden scent.’ Flowers were a common motif in art. They had bouquets that decorated the places for artists.
In Egyptian homes, there were always flowers to be found. Lotus and Papyrus were the most important plants at the time. Women and men were often depicted holding the Lotus or inhaling the divine fragrance.
In offering depictions of Ancient Egyptians, blue and white lotus were drawn along with papyrus stems. The blue lotus is known as Nymphaea Caerulea Savigny. It was one of the most popular flowers in ancient Egypt.
It has a strong scent. Especially, when it opens. When the sun shines and its rays reach the flower, the blue lotus opens up revealing its yellow calyx. That is surrounded by petals of beautiful shades of blue. As its scent spreads.
At noon, however, it closes off into a bud and sinks into the water. It repeats the process every day. Eventually, it was associated with the idea of rebirth and creation. The blue lotus possesses hallucinogenic properties. Which is yet another reason for its popularity among the ancient Egyptians.
The white lotus, on the other hand, is named Nymphaea Lotus. It blooms during the night. It eventually became the symbol of continuity and renewal of life. That was so essential to the Ancient Egyptians.
The blue lotus and white lotus are in reality two varieties of water lily. However, they are still called lotus by Egyptologists. The flower arrangement was quite popular during the times of the old and Middle kingdoms.
Sometimes, it would be a bunch of lotuses held in the hand of the person presenting the bouquet. Other times, they may add papyrus stems whether by tying them together or entwining them with the enigmatic lily of the south.
However, all of that changed with the becoming of the New Kingdom. That is when a variety of flowers, grasses, leaves, and fruits began to artfully be a part of the arrangements. They were artistically added to the arrangements of wreaths, garlands, collars, and normal bouquets of various shapes.
Collars that were made with fresh flowers were frequently worn at banquets. Servants were represented tying those onto the guests. Let us keep going and see which flower arrangement style you prefer.
The English flower arrangement style is quite popular. Especially, in Western countries. We can find mostly roses, peonies, dahlias, and even ranunculus. We can even find spikey flowers, like larkspur, delphinium, and snapdragons. We may even find foxglove.
The shape of the English flower arrangements is usually either oval or round. People believe the art of flower arrangement started with the Egyptians, but other people believe it all started with the Japanese.
The art of flower arrangement in Japan is known as ikebana. Ikebana is traditionally known as the classic art of Japanese flower arranging. The meaning of the term itself was extended to include various styles of Japanese floral art.
Flower arrangement is considered a form of eloquence in Japan. It is quite important. Ikebana is the art of flower arranging that originated in ancient Japan. It was and is still practised as art that studies where the flowers and other natural elements are placed in specific ways.
Those specific ways are intended to embody harmony, peace, and beauty. A flower arrangement form can tell so much about the house and the people in it. In some regions, it is required of the bride to be extensively involved in the art of flower arrangement and tea preparation.
Those are the conditions for the bride to be considered elegant. Most, if not all, of the facts regarding the Japanese flower arrangement that will follow, are inspired by a book titled “Japanese Etiquette” by the World Fellowship Committee of the Tokyo Young Women’s Christian Association.
Flower arrangement is an art that is considered an indispensable part of the daily everyday life of the Japanese people. Some believe it originated from the custom of offering flowers to Buddha and the Shinto gods.
Regardless of the origin of the custom, it most certainly expresses the love and adoration that the Japanese people have for nature. Flower arrangement is an undeniably essential part of every Japanese home.
Just as modern arts of paintings and sculptures are mostly common in Western homes. By arranging a few flowers, we create a sense of closeness to nature and an impression of natural life. It is an integral part of the Japanese way of life.
The characteristics of the Japanese flower arrangement are found in the beauty of the lines rather than in the harmonization that is found between the colours of the flowers as they do in the West.
The Japanese consider the branch, the placement of the stalk, and the shape first-hand. That is done even before the flower arranging process takes place. That is done to create a sense of beauty. Maybe, that is due to the graceful Japanese architectural designs.
The Japanese even classify the flower arrangement process into three different styles of arrangement. The first style or kind is known as Seika. Seika is a formal Japanese style of flower arrangement.
The second style or kind is known as Nageire. Nageire is an informal and natural Japanese style of flower arrangement. The third and final style or kind is known as Moribana. Moribana is the most modern form of the Japanese style of flower arrangement.
We will elaborate on each style extensively, so sit tight. The Seika style is usually called ry^ugi- bana. This style is expressed by the Koryu and Ikenobo schools. Those two schools follow definite forms of arrangement and therefore are considered to be formal as well as classical schools.
The length and angle of each branch are strictly fixed. In a specific shape of an irregular triangle called ten- chi- jin. The syllable (ten-) in ten- chi- jin, refers to heaven. The syllable (–in-) in ten- chi- jin, refers to the earth. The syllable (-Jin) in ten- chi- jin refers to man.
This specified irregular triangle gives a strong impression of uniformity and equilibrium. On the other hand, the Moribana style is a style that has no special form. The flowers are arranged to reflect natural scenery in miniature.
It falls into place with the harmony it creates with the container itself. In low, flat water- vases or baskets that are similar to a wide-mouthed vessel, the flowers are held together in a place by metal spiked holders.
This style is much more modern and free than the Seika. That is because there is no specified form or shape that the flowers must be kept in. Nigeria is the third and final Japanese flower arrangement style that we will mention.
This style specifically, has no prescriptions. None at all. No rules, no rigid instructions, nothing. However, as the flowers are supported by the rim of the vase, the arrangement should convey at one glance the impression that the flowers have been freely placed in the vase.
In reality, it is conformed to rules and has dignity and harmony. In Moribana and Nageire styles, there are different schools to be followed. Those are Ohara, Adachi, Sogetsu, and so many others, but we will only mention those and leave them here for reference.
Flowers have many stories to tell. Some are scary. Did you know that many people die every year because of some flowers? Those delicate plants called flowers can be deadly if you are not careful about which flower you’re interacting with.
Do not fear! We have got you. We will list fifteen of the deadliest flowers you should avoid interacting with at all costs for the sake of your safety. Get ready, it will be a fun ride full of some juicy facts about those deadly flowers.
Nerium Oleander may look defenceless and beautiful with a light shade of harmless pink. However, beware of this plant. It carries a deadly poison. It is extremely toxic. It can cause a burning sensation in the mouth and throat. It does not end there. It may even cause nausea and vomiting. The list goes on from diarrhoea, weakness, headache to stomach pain, serious heart problems, and more complications.
It can even cause way more than that and more side effects that you would be lucky enough to not experience by never having to cross paths with this lethal flower. However, Oleander is a common ornamental evergreen shrub that draws you in by its innocent appearance.
Taking in the Oleander leaf, Oleander leaf tea, or Oleander seeds has led many to experience deadly poisonings. A single leaf of this flower is enough to kill an adult. Oleanders contain toxic stuff that survives even burning. So, do not even attempt burning them.
Strange enough Oleander has also been used as a medicine. Specifically, traditional medicine to treat haemorrhoids, ulcers, and other symptoms. Still, if you have no experience handling poisonous plants, we do not recommend you come anywhere near Oleanders.
Aconitum is also known as aconite, monkshood, wolfsbane, leopard’s bane, mouse bane, women’s bane, devil’s helmet, queen of poisons, or blue rocket. This plant is dangerous and you should keep your distance at all costs.
It contains a strong, fast-acting poison that causes severe side effects such as nausea, vomiting, breathing problems, hearing problems, and death eventually. Even when applied to the skin, it is very unsafe.
It can be absorbed through the skin and causes respiratory problems and cardiac problems. So do not handle or pick this plant, unless you are wearing gloves. Especially, the roots. A 2 mg dosage of aconite can and will cause death within 4 hours.
Castor oil may have many benefits that make you die to use it and apply it. In reality, it is banned. What a bummer. However, it is for your own sake that it is banned. Or else, you would be truly literally dying because of using it.
Castor oil contains Lectin which is a highly potent toxin produced in the seeds of the castor oil plant. 22 micrograms per kilogram are the lethal dosage for mice. We are not saying you should kill mice. No, do not kill them. Just set them free in the wild, back where they belong.
It is just an example for reference. As we emphasized, ricin is a naturally found poison that is found in castor beans. If they are chewed and swallowed, the released ricin can cause injury. Ricin can be made from the waste material that is leftover from processing castor beans.
Here is another deadly plant that we should add to the list of the ‘do not come near. All parts of the plant are poisonous. The large palmate leaves, the cream flecks, the veins, and the stem that is very distinctive with dark-green- to black and white markings.
Abrus is another plant in the flowering plants in the pea family. It is highly toxic. The highly toxic seed of that species is used to make jewellery. It does have medicinal properties just like many other poisonous plants do.
You can create the antidote by using the poison, but when dealing with this plant, we advise you to not come near it as long as you are not cautious while using it. It can be used to treat tetanus or prevent rabies.
The leaves are used to treat and cure fever, cough, and cold. It may even be used to treat scratches, wounds, and sores caused by dogs, cats, or mice. It is also used as an ingredient in curing Leucoderma.
Drosera or as it is generally known as sundews are plants that capture and digest insects by using their stalked mucilaginous glands that cover their leaf surfaces. In normal cases, a sundew plant is not toxic.
However, do not exceed the prescribed dose. That is our recommendation. Doing so may result in side effects that start from irritating the lining of the digestive tract and that can cause stomach pain or gastritis.
However, just as we are mentioning its side effect, we should also mention its medicinal properties as well. Sundew or Drosera if you may, is used to treat asthma, coughs, lung infections, and stomach ulcers.
Cicuta is commonly known as water hemlock. It is very poisonous. It is considered one of North America’s most toxic plants. It can lead to severe poisoning and death. Even though it is quite poisonous, it still has a few medicinal properties.
It can be used to treat migraine headaches, painful menstruation, and worms in the intestine. Some people also use it as a traditional treatment for swelling and redness by applying it directly to the skin or the infected area.
Atropa Belladonna is also known as the deadly nightshade. It is very poisonous. Its roots, leaves, and fruits. All of it is extremely poisonous. It is even considered to be illegal. It is a drug that is obtained from the plant ‘Atropine’ and it can even be a medicinal herb. It can mostly be found in Native America.
Taxus Baccata is native to Western, Central, Southern Europe, Northwest Africa, Northern Iran, and Southwest Asia. It is also known as the English Yew. The tree on which the English Yew grows is known as the yew tree.
Some may know it as the tree of death. It is one of the trees that the Druids held sacred in pre- Christian times. Drooping branches of old yew trees can root and form new trunks where they touched the ground.
So, yew came to symbolize death and resurrection in Celtic culture. We get the resurrection part, but why death? Well, to answer your question. Yew is simply put, is another deadly plant. It may look cute and all and the colour is sweet, but believe us when we tell you to keep away.
The English Yew or Taxus baccata is a poison that causes cardiac arrhythmias and it can even result in death from cardiogenic shock. So, yeah, as we said earlier. Keep away from this deadly cute plant.
Hippomane Mancinelli is another greenish flowering tree that you should not attempt getting close to. In other words, when you encounter one, turn the opposite way and start walking. Do not turn back or touch it.
It is one more deadly tree. That has been known as the tree of death as well. It is known as the deadliest tree ever known. Touching it is enough to get your body worked up and it affects a person almost instantly.
If touched, it irritates the skin because of the irritants that are found in the manchineel sap. That sap produces inflammation and painful blisters on the skin as if you got burned. Not only the sap or plant, but even the bark of the tree itself is toxic.
Do not burn it! You will not be getting rid of it. You will be only making matters worse. A burning manchineel bark has always been known to cause irritation and blindness. That is because of the airborne poison ash present and found in it.
We only scratched the surface of the iceberg of the dangers of Manchineel. The burn is not that of hot pepper or super-hot pepper. It is much worse and believes me when I say much worse. The manchineel fruit will cause intense burning and severe swelling of the throat.
That is assuming you tried to eat it. That is not even the end of it. The area surrounding your mouth may and probably will get all blistered and inflamed. It will most definitely even cause severe digestive problems that is assuming it reached the stomach with its burning sap.
However, such a dangerous plant requires tropical conditions to survive and thrive. It can be found in tropical southern North America to northern South America. The manchineel excretes an extremely toxic white sap.
If your curiosity takes over and you attempt touching the plant’s leaves or branches or if you even touch it by mistake, it is very well-known that you will suffer from skin irritation, and blisters, and it may even close off your airways if you inhale the fumes from the sap.
A normal hefty shrub can grow up to 50 feet tall. It produces toxic timber that has a long Caribbean carpenter. Even though people came to know the dangers that the manchineel fruit may and will most certainly cause, they still used it in making furniture.
They carefully cut the wood and then, dry it in the sun to neutralize its poisonous sap. Then, finally, they use it to make furniture as they may use any other normal wood. The Manchineel tree is native to the Caribbean, Florida, Bahamas, Mexico, and Central and South America.
The tree can be found on coastal beaches and in brackish swamps where it grows among other mangroves. Some people call them the death apples in paradise. People who attempted eating it noted that they felt a peppery taste in their mouths.
Followed by a tearing sensation. Finally, there was a tightening in their throats until they could barely swallow. The manchineel tree is so poisonous. Even the Guinness Book of World Records has recorded it to be one of the most dangerous trees in the world in 2011.
It is the most dangerous tree in the world. That poisonous sap is in every part of that plant. In its bark, leaves, and even fruit. You should not try and remove the manchineel tree on your own. Especially, after all, that we have been saying.
Even the fire will not help. The burning tree as we previously said and mentioned numerously will produce smoke that will contain the toxins and you will not be able to get rid of it without help. So, please contact someone who can.
As for what it exactly looks like, it is an evergreen tree. It has a reddish-grey bark. There are small greenish-yellow flowers and bright shiny green leaves. The leaves are simply alternate and very finely serrated or if you may say toothed. The leaves are about 2- 4 inches long.
The spikes of the small greenish flowers are followed by fruits that are similar in their appearance to an apple. I hope this shows you how dangerous this plant can be and that you have decided to not ever under any conditions touch it, not even ‘accidentally’.
Datura Stramonium is also known as Jimsonweed, thorn apple, devil’s snare, or devil’s trumpet. It is related to the nightshade family. The origin of the plant is in Central America. However, it has been introduced in many world regions.
As you may have already guessed, it is one more poisonous plant. However, its poison affects the brain more than any other part of the body. It does not kill it or make you crazy. Well, it does make you a little crazy. Simply, causing hallucinations.
That is why it is known as a hallucinogenic plant. It is found in urban and rural areas. It does not only affect the brain. It is still a poisonous plant as we said. Its poison varies and can be highly unpredictable.
Even if this plant was usually used to cure many human ailments, like ulcers, wounds, inflammation, rheumatism, gout, sciatica, bruises, swelling, fever, asthma, bronchitis, and toothache, it is still poisonous.
It is one of the oldest plants that have been used throughout history. It is quite an invasive species that has spread throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The poison varies throughout the plant parts. The seeds and flowers are poisonous. In addition to that, it has so many side effects.
Those may include respiratory depression, arrhythmias, fever, delirium, hallucinations, anticholinergic syndrome, psychosis, and even death if in the case it was taken internally. It can cause mental side effects on the brain of amnesia, confusion, psychosis, and hallucinations.
Those will lead to emotional expression that will eventually follow. If the person takes too much, but not enough to kill them as an overdose, they will experience a feeling that is similar to a hangover as the drug itself metabolizes.
The White Snake Root is also known as Ageratina altissima, richweed, and white sanicle. It is native to eastern and central North America. It is a sporadically toxic plant. It causes trembles in livestock and milk sickness in humans that drink the tainted milk.
It can cause tremetol poisoning. It is not edible under any conditions. The leaves and stem of the white snakeroot contain tremetol. That is a poison to both animals and humans. It is an accumulative toxin. This means that it will take time to build up to toxic levels.
Root tea is used to treat ague, kidney stones, and fever. As for the root poultice, it is used to treat snake bites. The smoke from the burning green leaves is used to revive the people who have fallen unconscious.
There is no cure to treat white snakeroot toxicity. If your horse ate some by mistake, the veterinarian can offer them supportive therapies that are essentially needed till the toxin is completely flushed out of its system.
That is in the case that there was a chance of survival and not death which is also one available option. The white snakeroot poison comes from the ingestion of the plant itself. So, keep your furry friend, including your dog, away as you keep away as well.
The Nepenthes Tunicata is known as a tropical pitcher that is native to the Philippines. It is very well known in the islands of Dinagat, Leyte, and Mindanao. It is an endangered plant. It grows at the elevation of 0- 1500 m above sea level.
It is a carnivorous plant. This plant is not that poisonous and most pitcher plants are not poisonous. I know what you are thinking. Why is it on the list? Well, it is thought to be deadly because it eats insects and no it does not eat humans.
It is used to treat digestive disorders and constipation. It is also considered a cure for smallpox and it even prevents scar formation. Also, there will not be any danger if you approach this plant, but remember to be cautious.
Lily of The Valley. This adorable-looking plant is so tempting to touch. Well, do not touch it, inhale its scent, or even eat it, not even by accident. This plant is deadly. Not only does it look sweet and innocent, but it leads to fatal outcomes.
This flower may symbolize purity, youth, sincerity, and discretion, but it will surely kill you. People believe it symbolizes happiness and joy. It is even considered an important gesture to give someone you love a bunch of lilies of the valley on the 1st of May.
However, before you do that, let us tell you just how dangerous this innocent plant is. That put aside, this plant is known to be an invasive plant that tends to form large colonies that threaten other native plants.
So, it is not only dangerous for humans but also for other plants. Lily of the valley is extremely poisonous and can cause severe dermatitis if touched. So, sure go ahead and give that ‘someone’ a bunch and hope for the best.
Lily of the valley is used to handle and prevent heart problems. That may include heart failure and irregular heartbeats. It is also widely used to treat urinary tract infections and kidney stones. It is even used during weak contractions in labour or with epilepsy. Sometimes it is used to prevent fluid retention and strokes, that result in paralysis. It can even treat eye infections and leprosy.
It is quite the medicine. Still, it can be very poisonous when ingestion takes place. The leaves, flowers, or even roots. All of them are poisonous. They all contain cardiac glycosides and gastrointestinal irritants.
Those are most likely responsible for a variety of cardiac arrhythmias and can lead to fatal consequences. So, yeah it is beautiful and graceful looking; has lots of benefits and can cure many symptoms; still, it is a deadly poison.
The last poison, I mean to say, the plant we are talking about in our deadly section is Tobacco. Yes, that plant exists within a cigarette. We will review its benefits, effects, and origin. It affects us in different ways, but one thing for sure is that it is poisonous in the long run.
Tobacco leaves are applied on cuts and wounds to stop the bleeding and as an antiseptic. The ground tobacco leaves are used as a snuff for medicinal and ritualistic purposes. The tobacco is sometimes smoked and blown into the ear to treat earaches.
Tobacco is used in the production of many stuff. Such as cigarettes and cigars. Some people smoke raw loose tobacco in a pipe. Tobacco affects us in many different ways. However, there is a clear reason we put it on the list of our deadly plants.
That is because Tobacco is poison in many ways. It may cause cancer, breathing problems, chronic respiratory conditions, heart disease, stroke, blood circulation problems, diabetes, infections, dental problems, hearing loss, and even vision loss.
That being said, let us tell you more about the types of tobacco. There is no safe form of tobacco. So, it all screams danger. Tobacco contains nicotine. No matter what form tobacco may take, it will still contain this poisonous material.
Nicotine causes addiction and eventually heart problems. There are about seven types of well-known tobacco. Those are Chew- see Smokeless Tobacco, Cigars, Cigarillos, and Little Cigars, Dip- see Smokeless Tobacco, Electronic cigarette or E-Cigarette.
There is also Hookah, Kreteks, and Pipe. All of those are the types of Tobacco products that people are most familiar with. Originally, Native Americans used it in religious ceremonies and for medicinal purposes.
It was used as a cure for all remedies. Dressing wounds, reducing pain, or toothaches. You name it and tobacco is used to cure it. In the late 15th century, Christopher Columbus was said to be given tobacco as a gift from the Native Americans.
You can certainly guess what happened next. Tobacco was always thought of as a medicinal plant. It was claimed to have antiseptic, sedative, emetic, and purgative properties. That came in useful in relieving pain.
In other words, it is not tobacco’s fault. It has always been a herbal medicinal plant. Some people invented a harmful usage for it. That is smoking. Smoking does help with avoiding obesity, but it is certainly not your best option.
We do not trade something for another. Every part of our bodies is important and precious. So, we cannot destroy our lungs using tobacco, in exchange for staying thin. It causes lung cancer. The lungs are the organ responsible for taking care of your respiratory cycle.
Smoking causes heart disease, strokes, asthma, diabetes, and so much more. Tobacco may be poisonous, but it is how we chose to use it that will determine the outcome. This plant, just like any other was used as medicine.
Some flowers are pretty rare to find. They are pretty, tasty, fragrant, deadly, poisonous, and some are even rare. Let us explore some of the rarest flowers in the world. So, next time you see one of those, you should take a picture!
We will name a few rare flowers, mention the reasons that led to them being rare, and then will name about four unusual flowers you probably never heard of. So, buckle up it will be a fun ride.
It is certainly no ghost, but it is the ghost orchid. Let us tell you some more about the ghost orchid, my friend. It is a very rare plant that is on the endangered species list. It is native to Southwest Florida and Cuba.
The ghost orchid is believed to be extremely rare to the point that it is estimated that there are only 100 or so plants that still exist. They are very secretive about the locations of those few orchids. Do not worry. We already tried finding out.
Sadly, we had no luck. Maybe you would have better luck searching more into it. Who knows? Maybe you would find out something we did not mention or discuss ghost orchids. As to why their locations are kept secret, well it is simply to avoid poachers from taking them from their natural environment.
The ghost orchid is also known as Dendrophylax lindenii. It has quite a distinctive feature when it comes to appearance. This may be the reason that led to its naming as the ghost orchid. It is an endangered plant species and does not flower reliably.
The corpse lily is our second endangered plant on the list. It is also known as Rafflesia arnoldii, the corpse flower, giant Padma. It is special for producing the largest individual flower on Earth. It has a strong and unpleasant odour.
It smells as if it is a corpse. This is partially why it was named the corpse flower. However, we need to make sure you know that this corpse lily does smell and stink the odour of decaying flesh. It is quite rare.
It is a flower that is native to the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo. Some even know it as the monster flower. It is also known as the Titan Arum. Yup! The one we kept mentioning in our facts. You probably noticed.
To attract pollinators it produces a rotting- meat scent. Again, that is probably the reason it earned the name the corpse flower. Why is it so rare you ask? Well, it is because it takes about seven to ten years for a single flower of the corpse flower to muster up enough energy that may be considered enough to begin its bloom cycle.
It is said that the Garden began collecting Titan Arums in 2003. It was a part of the worldwide conservation effort to preserve this specific species. The flower of the corpse lily emits a foul odour that draws carrion beetles and flies into the centre bowl where the pollen is located.
As the insects fly away from the flower, they have pollen all over them. It may cling onto their feet or bodies. That way they spread the pollen. Minimus is known as the only corpse flower plant in the Philippines that is known to inhabit a montane forest ecosystem.
Specifically, in PCWFR which is on Luzon Island. The three known populations of the plant are each about fewer than 50 mature individuals. Those were observed to be flowering between May and June.
Parrot’s beak, lotus vine, or as some may know it lotus berthelotii is a flower that looks similar to a parrot’s beak. This is obviously why it is known as a parrot’s beak. It is known as quite the great plant. It fills the need for silver, soft-foliaged plants.
However, sadly, the flower part is short-lived. It depends on how fast the temperature rises and where you live. This beautiful plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It may also tolerate some shade on hot summer days or in hot areas.
However, you should be considerate of how much water you provide the plant with because too little water or too much water may and usually does cause foliage to drop. This plant thrives even more and performs best with evenly divided moistures.
However, remember to allow the top of the soil to mostly dry out before re-watering. This plant is also known as the trailing lotus. It is native to the Canary Islands. The Canary Islands are that of Spain.
This plant is also known as the pelican beak and some may know it as the coral gem. It has beautiful colours and even more a beautiful shape. It is quite the mesmerizing scenery. You cannot help but admire it.
Lady’s- slipper orchid is also known as Cypripedium Calceolus. It is native to Europe and Asia. It can live up to be twenty years old or even more. However, it is quite rare and endangered.
That is why it is illegal to pick them up because the plant takes many years to grow from seed to maturity. That is why they set special rules to ensure its survival. This beautiful flower is also known as the moccasin flower.
It is one of North America’s own much admired and often misunderstood wild native orchids.
This plant became increasingly rare. Due to the over collecting and habitat reduction. It has a tall, leafy stem. That bears 1 or 2 white- petals with flowers that are a brilliant pink pouch.
Sometimes it is yellow. It blooms in late June and into July. It may look like a lady’s slipper which is maybe the reason behind its naming as the lady’s slipper. Most flowers are named after their appearance.
The kadupul flower is also known as the queen of the night. Some may know it as the princess of the night. It is known as the Dutchman’s pipe cactus. Its scientific name is epiphyllum oxypetalum.
It belongs to the species of cactus. It rarely blooms. However, when it does bloom, it only does at night. Then, its flowers wilt before dawn. The kadupul flower is the most expensive in the world.
That is actually because it has never been bought and therefore it is priceless. This little tricky elusive plant is a cactus and it only grows in Sri Lanka. It is known commonly as the ghost flower. It usually blooms only once a year, always at night, and dies before dawn.
The sea poison tree is also known as the fish poison tree and box fruit tree. Its scientific name is Barrington Asiatica. It is native to the mangrove habitats from the islands of the Indian Ocean in west tropical Asia and islands of the western Pacific Ocean.
All parts of the tree are pretty poisonous. The active poisons include saponins. Box fruits are potent enough to be used as fish poison. The seeds are grounded into a powder that is then used to stun or kill the fish for easy capture.
It suffocates the fish while the flesh is unaffected. That is partially why it is known as the Fish Poison tree. The fruits are used as a fish poison. The heated leaves are used in the Philippines to treat the stomach and rheumatism. Not only that but also the seeds are used to get rid of tapeworms.
Campion is also known as the red Campion. Its scientific name is silene dioica. Some may even know it as the red catchfly. It is native to central, western, and northern Europe. It is locally found in southern Europe.
It was also introduced in Iceland, Canada, the US, and Argentina. Campions are distributed throughout the world. Several of those are ornamental rock- gardens or border plants. They look really pretty.
Some of the flowers we mentioned are quite rare and others are unique. We are not only mentioning the rare flowers, but also the distinctive ones. That does not by any means, mean that the ones we are mentioning are special or the best because all of the flowers are beautiful.
Every flower is special and distinct. The flowers we are mentioning in this article are either chosen randomly or as best- related to the topic of the section. We just wanted to clarify this before we continue with our special flowers.
The snapdragon skull is officially the most metal flower to exist. When they die, they resemble human skulls. However, when they die, they look like shrivelled little brown skulls all dangling from a stem.
The dragon part of the name is a mere visual metaphor. It appears to have a skull. We know what you are thinking. Super cool! Well, it did not stop only at that, but also the ancient cultures held the snapdragon as a special plant.
They used to believe that it possessed supernatural powers. Those flowers were thought to offer protection from deceit, curses, and witchcraft that is if you plant them in your garden. They are spring or summer flowers.
The happy alien plant is also scientifically known as calceolaria uniflora. It was given this name because of its unearthly shape. Originally, this flower was discovered by Charles Darwin. It grows in cold climates.
Mostly, it is found near the Sothern tip of South America which is close to Antarctica. Happy alien flowers grow typically near or on rocks. That is due to their distinctively short roots. It is one of the weirdest flowers out there.
Just like the name entitles, it is a monkey face-shaped orchid. It is quite special and awesome. So, let us learn some more about it together. It is also known as Dracula time. Some may even know it as monkey-like Dracula.
Its arrangement of columns, petals, and lip strongly resemble a monkey’s face. It can be found on the sides of the high mountains which are probably found in southeastern Ecuador and Peru. At the elevation of about 1000 to 2000 meters.
It is a popular but rare all-time favourite among orchid collectors. That is because it has a distinctively unique monkey or baboon face in its flower. Monkeyface orchids are quite finicky. Yes, and it can be challenging to grow them.
They require very specific living conditions. It does not make it one of the best options to start as a beginner gardener. And no, you cannot grow it by merely fertilizing it with bananas. It needs a bit more than that.
The bat plant or as some may know it the white bat- the flower is native to the tropical and subtropical rainforests of Central Asia. It was first described by the English botanist John Bellenden Ker Gawler in 1812.
Its scientific name is tacca integrifolia. It is also a plant that can be quite tricky to grow. You have to regularly ensure that your soil is well-draining and composted. You need to provide regular water. Especially, in the hot months, but allow them to dry out.
Especially, in winter and cold times. You have to fertilize it regularly and lightly during its growing season. Black bat plants need high humidity to grow and thrive. It is quite an exotic plant. It has flowers that look quite similar to a bat in flight.
It is deep purple with ruffled wings, and long, hanging filaments. They may appear in spring and may last until early autumn. They can grow up to 2 or 3 feet tall. The bat plant’s appearance is probably what earned it its name.
Moth orchids are a mere nickname for the enchanting phalaenopsis Blume. Phalaenopsis comes from the Latin word ‘phal’ which means moth. No, it is no coincidence. The plant looks like a moth which is probably why it was given that name.
It was named after Carl Ludwig Blume. Based on its resemblance to a moth in appearance. It is a plant that is native to southeastern Asia and parts of Australia. They are commonly grown indoors. They can grow as big as 6 to 12 inches.
Quick Flowers’ Facts
Now that we know all about flowers, we are nearly experts. Let us tell you how to plant and take care of a few flowers in the comfort of your home. It is quite easy. All you need to do is to follow the following simple steps that explain how to grow each of the following flowers.
Sunflower
We will learn how to grow a sunflower together step by step. To grow sunflowers, you need a sunny, sheltered spot and good soil. You will also need plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost before planting if you can, that is.
Protect the young plants from slugs and snails. Yes, slugs and snails are friends, but sunflowers are our babies that need protection. Water your sunflowers regularly. You may need to stake them. That is in case they are in an exposed position.
There are various varieties of sunflowers. Each one of those will grow at a different rate from the other. However, the average time that is estimated for our sunflowers to grow is about 80 to 120 days. That is for the plant to mature and develop seeds.
On the other hand, we can also try growing marigolds. Tagetes marigold can be grown from the seed. They are bought as seedlings and planted to grow. They can be bought as seedlings (Plug plants) or garden-ready plants.
Plant them in beds or pots. It does not matter. The important thing is to plant them. Make sure that you do so after all risk of frost has been eliminated. Put them in good soil and a sunny spot. Make sure to water them during dry spells.
Remove the dead heads to extend the flowering. Make sure to feed it constantly. That is in case you have grown it in pots. Marigolds love the sun. They do tolerate some shade, but the more sun, the better.
The third on the list is begonias. You should grow begonias in peat-free, multi-purpose compost that is dappled in plenty of sunshine. Maybe partial shade. Only plant begonias outside. That is in May. However, you should make sure no more frosts are happening.
Watch the forecast. Water them regularly. Feed them weekly. Use high-potash fertilizer. Maybe tomato feed to feed them. They are ideal for containers and are easy to care for. Their blooming is one sign of summer.
Snapdragon
Frost has passed and you are sure. Then, it is probably time to plant out snapdragons. Early autumn sowings will produce in about early May. Sow the seeds thinly on the surface of the compost. Water and seal in a propagator. Maybe a plastic bag.
Transfer the seeds when they are large enough to pot and grow in a sheltered spot. They are easy to grow, do not fear. Make sure you grow them in well-drained garden soil. In southern California, people sow their snapdragon seeds in fall or winter for spring blooming.
Daffodils
Growing Daffodils needs extra care and love. Pick a spot in your garden that has well-draining soil and gets full sun or partial shade. Plant the daffodil bulbs about 3- 6 deep and 4- 5 apart. Place them on the ground with their pointy ends up.
Water them well once and wait for spring. However, after the daffodils bloom, do not cut off the foliage. Daffodil bulbs are best planted in September or November. Especially, in well-drained soil. They will most definitely grow well in sun or part shade.
Flowers are so full of stories. We cannot get enough of hearing them out. Their adventures are ongoing as we discover more and more. We will discuss a few occasions on which we mostly use flowers in.
Some people use flowers when there is a happy occasion. Others associate flowers with sad occasions and events. The same as a white lily in a funeral. There is also the flower bouquet that the bride holds onto during her wedding to throw off to the next bride-to-be.
Different colours of flowers and different types of flowers are associated with different connotations depending on the culture and occasion. However, we all agree that flowers are pretty and quite mesmerizing at times.
Some flowers may be deadly as we saw in our previous list, but others are rare and are innocently used for decoration. Other flowers may hold different meanings depending on the language of flowers in which country. We will observe the Japanese culture for example. Vases during a Japanese occasion should be regularly shaped and pleasing to the eye.
They may take on the colour of silver or bronze. They may even take on the colour of summer earthenware that is glazed in cool colours of green and white. They may also be set on stands. Flower arrangements that combine pine, bamboo, and flowering plum.
Those are called sho- chikubai. However, when the plum blossoms are not in season, we use Omoto (rhodea), Kiku (chrysanthemums), or ran (orchid) may be used instead. White flowers or naturally coloured flowers are used in funeral and memorial services occasions.
We have successfully reached the end of our journey. We managed to grasp the essence of flowers, their history in different countries, and the national flower of each country. We defined what flowers are and the pollinators that are responsible for the spreading of flowers.
We discovered that there are four different pollination techniques that plants use to multiply. Some use wind and water. Others use insects and animals. We learned different facts about plants and flowers during our journey.
We spoke the flowers’ language as we delved into the history of flowers. Each country favours a different flower for a different reason. We learned some of the common types of flowers. We discussed the importance and significance of flowers in our lives.
We even investigated some of the deadliest flowers on Earth. In addition to the other flowers that are quite rare to find. We also learned together how to plant a few of the different types of flowers.
Until we reached the special part of occasions and learned when to give which flower. This journey was fruitful, indeed. Now, we know even more about flowers. We still have so many stories we’d love to share with you, so stay tuned and keep on visiting Learning Mole. Remember, the world is full of wonders!
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