List of national flowers
Part of a series on |
Nationalism |
---|
In a number of countries, plants have been chosen as symbols to represent specific geographic areas. Some countries have a country-wide floral emblem; others in addition have symbols representing subdivisions. Different processes have been used to adopt these symbols – some are conferred by government bodies, whereas others are the result of informal public polls. The term floral emblem, which refers to flowers specifically, is primarily used in Australia and Canada. In the United States, the term state flower is more often used.
National plants
[edit]Africa
[edit]Mauritius
[edit]The national flower of Mauritius is Ruizia boutoniana.[1]
Nigeria
[edit]The national flower of Nigeria is Costus spectabilis which is commonly known as Yellow Trumpet.[2]
Seychelles
[edit]The national flower of the Seychelles is the tropicbird orchid (known locally as orkid payanke), Angraecum eburneum.[3]
South Africa
[edit]The national flower of South Africa is the King Protea, Protea cynaroides.[4]
Tunisia
[edit]The national flower of Tunisia is jasmine. It was chosen as a symbol for the 2010 Tunisian Revolution.
Zimbabwe
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Gloriosa_superba_1.jpg/220px-Gloriosa_superba_1.jpg)
The national flower of Zimbabwe is the flame lily, Gloriosa superba.[5][6]
Asia
[edit]Afghanistan
[edit]The national flower of Afghanistan is the Tulip. It is called Lala (لاله) in the Farsi language and Khatol in the Pashto language.[citation needed]
Bangladesh
[edit]The national flower of Bangladesh is the water lily Nymphaea nouchali. It is called Shapla (শাপলা) in the Bengali language.
Bhutan
[edit]The national flower of Bhutan is the blue poppy.[7] Previously misidentified as the non-native Meconopsis grandis, national flower of Bhutan was identified in 2017 as Meconopsis gakyidiana, a new distinct species.[8]
Brunei
[edit]The national flower of Brunei is Simpoh Ayer (Dillenia suffruticosa).[9]
Cambodia
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Rumdoul.jpg/220px-Rumdoul.jpg)
Cambodia formally adopted the romduol (Khmer: រំដួល) as its national flower in the year 2005 by a royal decree.[10] The royal decree designates the taxon as Mitrella mesnyi, however, this is a taxonomically illegitimate synonym for Sphaerocoryne affinis, which does not occur in Cambodia.[11] The accepted species name for romduol is Sphaerocoryne lefevrei.
Hong Kong
[edit]The symbolic flower of Hong Kong is the Hong Kong orchid tree ("洋紫荊"), Bauhinia blakeana.[citation needed]
Indonesia
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Arabian_jasmin%2C_Tunisia_2010.jpg/220px-Arabian_jasmin%2C_Tunisia_2010.jpg)
There are three types of floral emblems used to symbolize Indonesia:
- The puspa bangsa ("national flower") of Indonesia is melati (Jasminum sambac).
- The puspa pesona ("flower of charm") is anggrek bulan or moon orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis).[9]
- The puspa langka ("rare flower") is padma raksasa rafflesia (Rafflesia arnoldii).
All three were chosen on World Environment Day in 1990,[12] and enforced by law through Presidential Decree (Keputusan Presiden) No. 4 1993,[13] On the other occasion, Bunga Bangkai (Titan arum) was also added as puspa langka together with Rafflesia.
Melati (Jasminum sambac), a small white flower with sweet fragrance, has long been considered a sacred flower in Indonesian tradition, as it symbolizes purity, sacredness, graceful simplicity and sincerity. For example, on her wedding day, a traditional Indonesian bride's hair is often adorned with arrangements of jasmine, while the groom's kris is often adorned with a lock of jasmine. However, jasmine is also often used as a floral offering for spirits and deities, and also often present during funerals, which has caused it to be seen as having mystical and sacred properties. Moon orchid was chosen for its beauty, while the other two rare flowers, Rafflesia arnoldii and Titan arum, were chosen to demonstrate uniqueness and Indonesia's rich biodiversity.
Each of the 34 provinces of Indonesia also has a native plant as its provincial flower.
Iran
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Peach_Glow_water-lily_at_Brooklyn_Botanic_Garden.jpg/220px-Peach_Glow_water-lily_at_Brooklyn_Botanic_Garden.jpg)
The national flower of Iran is the water lily which is also called nymphaea (Niloofare Abi, in Persian). The flower is the national flower of Iran since the Achaemenid Empire era (552 BC).[14]
Israel
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Calanit006.jpg/220px-Calanit006.jpg)
The national flower of Israel is the poppy anemone (Anemone coronaria; calanit metzuya in Hebrew), chosen in 2013 to replace Cyclamen persicum.[15][16]
Japan
[edit]The national flower of Japan is the sakura blossom.
Jordan
[edit]The national flower of Jordan is black iris (Iris nigricans).[17]
Laos
[edit]The national flower of Laos is the plumeria (champa),[9] despite it no longer being endemic.
Malaysia
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Hibiscus_Brilliant.jpg/220px-Hibiscus_Brilliant.jpg)
The national flower of Malaysia is the bunga raya (Chinese hibiscus, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis).[9][18]
Maldives
[edit]The national flower of the Maldives is the pink polyantha rose (Rosa polyantha), called fiyaathoshi finifenmaa.[19]
Mongolia
[edit]The national flower of Mongolia is Scabiosa comosa (Mongolian: бэр цэцэг, ber tsetseg).[20]
Myanmar
[edit]The national flower of Myanmar is Pterocarpus indicus (paduak).[9]
Nepal
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Rhododendron-by-eiffel-public-domain-20040617.jpg/220px-Rhododendron-by-eiffel-public-domain-20040617.jpg)
The national flower of Nepal is the tree rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum).[21]
North Korea
[edit]The national flower of North Korea is the Korean mountain magnolia (Magnolia sieboldii, Korean: 목란/木蘭 mongnan).[22]
Pakistan
[edit]The national flower of Pakistan is common jasmine also known as Jasminum officinale.[23]
Philippines
[edit]The Philippines adopted the sampaguita (Arabian jasmine, Jasminum sambac) in 1934 as its national flower because it symbolizes purity and cleanliness due to its color and sweet smell.[9] It is popularly strung into garlands presented to visitors and dignitaries and is a common adornment on religious images.
Sampaguita in the Filipino language is a direct loan word from the Indian sanskrit word "campaka".[24][25] Plants of some species of flowers like Sampaguita, fruits like mango and nangka, vegetables like ampalaya, patola, malunggay, name of Philippine's pre-Christian chief god Bathala (from sanskrit Bhattara Guru), came from India during pre-Spanish Indianised trade and influences.[26] Among strong traces of continuity of Hindu influence in Philippines are placing of Sampaguita garland around the neck of visitors to show hospitality and friendship, throwing the rice over bride and groom for prosperity, performing paninilbihan, paying dowry, visiting a shrine to pray for fertility, etc.[27]
Saudi Arabia
[edit]The national flower of Saudi Arabia is Taif’s Rose (Rosa × damascena).[28]
Singapore
[edit]The national flower of Singapore is a hybrid orchid cultivar known as the Singapore orchid or Vanda Miss Joaquim (Papilionanthe teres × Papilionanthe hookeriana).[citation needed]
South Korea
[edit]The national flower of South Korea is Hibiscus syriacus.[29] Known in South Korea as mugunghwa (Korean: 무궁화), the flower's symbolism relates to the Korean word mugung, which means "eternity" or "inexhaustible abundance".[30] Despite being made the national flower officially after Korea regained its independence from Japan, mugunghwa has been associated with Korean culture for many centuries, with the Silla kingdom having called itself the "Country of the Mugunghwa" (Korean: 근화향, Romanized: Geunhwahyang).[31]
Sri Lanka
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Nymphaea_nouchallii0.jpg/220px-Nymphaea_nouchallii0.jpg)
The national flower of Sri Lanka is Nil mānel (නිල් මානෙල්), the blue-star water-lily (Nymphaea stellata).[32][33] Although nil means "blue" in Sinhala, the Sinhalese name of this plant is often rendered as "water-lily" in English. This beautiful aquatic flower appears in the Sigiriya frescoes and has been mentioned in ancient Sanskrit, Pali and Sinhala literary works. Buddhist lore in Sri Lanka claims that this flower was one of the 108 auspicious signs found on Prince Siddhartha's footprint.[34][35]
Taiwan
[edit]The national flower of the Republic of China was officially designated as the plum blossom by the Executive Yuan on 21 July 1964.[36] The plum blossom, known as the meihua (Chinese: 梅花; pinyin: méihuā), is a symbol of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, because plum trees often bloom most vibrantly even during the harshest winters.[37][38] The triple grouping of stamens represents Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People, while the five petals symbolize the five branches of the government.[36][37]
Thailand
[edit]The national flower of Thailand is the Golden Shower Tree (Cassia fistula), locally known as dok khuen or rachapruek.[9]
Vietnam
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/A_Vietnam_Airlines_and_JAL_tail_at_Narita_International_Airport_%28NRT-RJAA%29.jpg/220px-A_Vietnam_Airlines_and_JAL_tail_at_Narita_International_Airport_%28NRT-RJAA%29.jpg)
The national flower of Vietnam is the lotus flower (Nelumbo nucifera).[39]
Europe
[edit]Albania
[edit]- Albania – Papaver rhoeas[citation needed]
Andorra
[edit]- Andorra – Narcissus poeticus[citation needed]
Austria
[edit]The national flower of Austria is edelweiss (Leontopodium nivale).[citation needed]
Belgium
[edit]Bulgaria
[edit]- Bulgaria – rose[citation needed]
Croatia
[edit]- Croatia – Iris croatica (unofficial)[43]
Cyprus
[edit]- Cyprus – Cyclamen cyprium[44]
Czech Republic
[edit]- Czech Republic – Tilia[citation needed]
Denmark
[edit]- Denmark – The daisy, specifically either marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) or oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), the latter being native to Denmark and becoming more frequently used. Previously red clover (Trifolium pratense) had been announced as the national flower in the 1930s, but this choice was not popular with the public and it was largely forgotten.[45]
Estonia
[edit]- Estonia – cornflower[citation needed]
Finland
[edit]- Finland – lily of the valley[46]
France
[edit]- France – Iris sibirica[citation needed]
- Brittany – Ulex and heather[citation needed]
Guernsey
[edit]- Guernsey – Nerine sarniensis[47]
Iceland
[edit]- Iceland – White dryad (Dryas octopetala)[citation needed]
Italy
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/Arbutus_unedo%2C_blomme%2C_La_Montagne%2C_a.jpg/220px-Arbutus_unedo%2C_blomme%2C_La_Montagne%2C_a.jpg)
The flower of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is the national flower of Italy.[48] The strawberry tree is also the national tree of Italy because of its green leaves, its white flowers and its red berries, colors that recall the Italian flag.[49]
Lithuania
[edit]- Lithuania – Ruta graveolens[50]
Netherlands
[edit]While most people believe it to be the tulip, the actual national flower of the Netherlands is the daisy (Bellis perennis). It was elected in a public vote in 2023.[51]
North Macedonia
[edit]The national flower of North Macedonia is the poppy.[52]
Poland
[edit]- Poland – red poppy[50]
- Kashubia region – Kashubian vetch[53]
Portugal
[edit]Portugal does not officially have a national flower, though the lavender is commonly cited.[54][55] The carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is also a symbol of the nation's triumph against the authoritarian far-right Estado Novo dictatorship, known as the Carnation Revolution.
Romania
[edit]Russia
[edit]Serbia
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Ramonda_nathaliae.jpg/220px-Ramonda_nathaliae.jpg)
The national flower of Serbia is Natalie's ramonda (Ramonda nathaliae). It is considered a symbol of Serbia's struggle and victory in World War I, with country suffering the largest casualty rate relative to its population.[57] To commemorate Serbian soldiers who died in war as well as the resurrection of the country after the devastating war, people wear artificial Natalie's ramonda as a symbol of remembrance, especially during week leading up to Armistice Day, which is a public holiday.[58]
Slovakia
[edit]- Slovakia – Tilia[citation needed]
Slovenia
[edit]The national flower of Slovenia is a carnation. It is traditionally present at all significant moments of someone's life. White carnations can be traditionally present at Slovenian christenings and at Slovenian weddings, where the bride has a white carnation flower stuck in her hair and the groom wears a white carnation pinned to his breast pocket or buttonhole. While white carnation represents happiness and celebration, red carnation has a more diverse meaning in Slovenian culture. First meaning comes from French and Russian revolutionaries and symbolises revolution and workers. Red carnations also symbolise love and courtship. In folksongs and folk traditions, when young men in the country villages were calling girls in the night under their windows and serenading them, receiving a red carnation bouquet meant, that the serenaded girl accepted their courtship. Finally, at the funeral of a loved one, their acquaintances, friends and family bid a final farewell to the deceased by each throwing a red carnation into the open grave.
Furthermore, carnations often appear embroidered on tablecloths, handkerchiefs, blouses, bed linen, lace and on parts of Slovenian national costume, such as skirts, trouser legs and traditional headwear, especially avba. Additionally, carnations are often flowers hanging from flowerbeds on balconies and windows, which is a source of pride for Slovenian homes. This can be observed throughout Slovenia, most prominently in Gorenjska and Štajerska regions.[59]
Spain
[edit]Sweden
[edit]The national flower of Sweden is Campanula rotundifolia.[62] It won a public vote in 2021.[63]
Switzerland
[edit]The national flower of Switzerland is edelweiss (Leontopodium nivale).[citation needed]
Turkey
[edit]The national flower of Turkey is the tulip.[citation needed]
Ukraine
[edit]- Ukraine – sunflower[citation needed], guelder rose
United Kingdom
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Milk_thistle_flowerhead.jpg/220px-Milk_thistle_flowerhead.jpg)
Each of the United Kingdom's four constituent countries has one or more national flower:
- England – Tudor rose[64]
- Wales – daffodil,[65] leek[64]
- Northern Ireland – flax flower,[66] clover leaf
- Scotland – thistle,[64] Scots pine[67]
North America
[edit]Canada
[edit]The maple leaf is widely used as a symbol for Canada. The maple tree was officially recognized as Canada's arboreal emblem in 1996.[68]
Canada's provinces and territories also have official provincial or territorial floral emblems:
- Ontario: white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), adopted in 1937.[69]
- Quebec: blue flag (Iris versicolor), adopted in November 1999.[70][71]
- Nova Scotia: mayflower (Epigea repens), adopted in 1901.[72]
- New Brunswick: purple violet (Viola cucullata), adopted in 1936.[73]
- Manitoba: prairie crocus (Pulsatilla ludoviciana), adopted in 1906.[74]
- British Columbia: Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii), adopted in 1956.[75]
- Prince Edward Island: lady's slipper (Cypripedium acaule), a species of orchid, adopted in 1947.[76]
- Saskatchewan: western red lily (Lilium philadelphicum var. andinum), adopted in 1941.[77]
- Alberta: wild rose (Rosa acicularis), also known as the prickly rose, adopted in 1930.[78]
- Newfoundland and Labrador: northern pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea), adopted in 1954. It was first chosen as a symbol of Newfoundland by Queen Victoria, and was used on the island's coinage until 1938.[79]
- Northwest Territories: mountain avens (Dryas octopetala), adopted in 1957.[80]
- Yukon: fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium), adopted in 1957.[81]
- Nunavut: purple saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia), unanimously adopted by the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on May 1, 2000.[82]
Many Canadian flags and coats-of-arms have floral emblems on them. The flag of Montreal has four floral emblems. On the right side of the flag of Saskatchewan overlapping both green and gold halves is the western red lily, the provincial floral emblem. The coat of arms of Port Coquitlam has the city's floral emblem, the azalea, displayed on a collar. The coat of arms of Prince Edward Island displays lady's slippers, the floral emblem of the island. When coat of arms of Nova Scotia were reassumed in 1929, the trailing arbutus or mayflower, the floral emblem of Nova Scotia, was added.
Mexico
[edit]The national flower of Mexico is the dahlia (Dahlia pinnata).[citation needed]
United States
[edit]In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation to make the rose the national floral emblem of the United States.[83][84] In each of the U.S. states, state flowers and trees have also been adopted as symbols by state legislatures.
Central America and the Caribbean
[edit]Antigua and Barbuda
[edit]The national flower of Antigua and Barbuda is Agave karatto, also known as "dagger log" or "batta log".[85]
The Bahamas
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Tecoma_stans%2C_flowers%2Bpods.jpg/150px-Tecoma_stans%2C_flowers%2Bpods.jpg)
The national flower of the Bahamas is the Yellow Elder (Tecoma stans).[86]
Barbados
[edit]The national flower of Barbados is known locally as the Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima).[87]
Belize
[edit]The national flower of Belize is the black orchid (Prosthechea cochleata).[88]
Costa Rica
[edit]The national flower of Costa Rica is the guaria morada (Guarianthe skinneri).[89]
Cuba
[edit]The national flower of Cuba since October 13, 1936, is the white ginger lily.[90]
Dominica
[edit]The national flower of Dominica is Sabinea carinalis, commonly known as Carib wood or Bois Caraibe.[91]
Dominican Republic
[edit]The Dominican Republic's national flower was originally the flower of the caoba (mahogany tree, Swietenia mahagoni). In 2011, the mahogany was dubbed the national tree, vacating the national flower spot for the Bayahibe rose (Pereskia quisqueyana) in order to bring attention to its conservation.[92]
Guatemala
[edit]The national flower of Guatemala is the monja blanca (Lycaste skinneri var. alba).[93]
Haiti
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Hibiscus_flower_TZ.jpg/150px-Hibiscus_flower_TZ.jpg)
The national flower of Haiti is the Choeblack or rose kayenn (Hibiscus).[94][95]
Honduras
[edit]The national flower of Honduras is the orchid Rhyncholaelia digbyana.[96]
Jamaica
[edit]The national flower of Jamaica is the lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale).[97]
Nicaragua
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Plumeria-1-KayEss-1.jpeg/100px-Plumeria-1-KayEss-1.jpeg)
The national flower of Nicaragua is known as the sacuanjoche (plumeria rubra). The sacuanjoche flower (Plumeria) grows on a conical tree that flowers around May. Sacuanjoche flowers are most fragrant at night in order to lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. The flowers have no nectar, and simply dupe their pollinators.
Oceania
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Golden-wattle.jpg/200px-Golden-wattle.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/Kowhai_flowers.jpg/200px-Kowhai_flowers.jpg)
Australia
[edit]The Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) was officially proclaimed the floral emblem of Australia on 1 September 1988.[98]
Fiji
[edit]The national flower of Fiji is tagimaucia (Medinilla waterhousei), a vine with red and white flowers endemic to the highlands of the island of Taveuni.[citation needed]
French Polynesia
[edit]The Tahitian gardenia (tiare flower) is the national flower of Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the Cook Islands.[citation needed]
New Zealand
[edit]New Zealand does not have an official national flower, but the silver fern (foliage) is acknowledged as its national emblem.[99] The Kōwhai (Sophora spp., native trees with yellow cascading flowers) is usually regarded as the national flower. Other plant emblems are Koru (a curled fern symbol) and the crimson-flowered Pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa), also called New Zealand's Christmas tree.[citation needed]
Tonga
[edit]The heilala (Garcinia sessilis) is Tonga's national flower. The name of Tonga's beauty pageant, the Heilala Festival, is taken from this flower. Resorts as well as consumer products are also often named after this flower, such as the Heilala Lodge and Heilala Vanilla. The flower is also used in Tonga for medicinal and ornamental purposes.[citation needed]
South America
[edit]Argentina
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Erythrina_crista-galli2.jpg/220px-Erythrina_crista-galli2.jpg)
The national flower of Argentina is the flower of the ceibo tree (Erythrina crista-galli), also known as seibo or bucaré.[100]
Bolivia
[edit]Bolivia has two national flowers: the kantuta (Cantua buxifolia) and patujú (Heliconia rostrata).[101]
Brazil
[edit]Brazil has no official national flower. It is popularly considered to be the flower of the golden trumpet tree (Handroanthus chrysotrichus; Portuguese: Ipê-amarelo) – so much so that multiple proposals have been put forth over the last 70 years to recognize it officially. However, for various reasons, none have ever been voted on by Congress to be ratified.
Chile
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Lapageria_rosea1.jpg/220px-Lapageria_rosea1.jpg)
The national flower of Chile is the copihue (Lapageria rosea).[citation needed]
Colombia
[edit]Cattleya trianae is the national flower of Colombia and is the orchid which flowers in May. The May flower was chosen because the colors are the same as those of the Colombian flag.[citation needed]
Guyana
[edit]The national flower of Guyana is the Victoria regia lily (Victoria amazonica).[citation needed]
Paraguay
[edit]The national flower of Paraguay is Mburucuyá.[citation needed]
Peru
[edit]The national flower of Peru is the cantuta (also spelled kantuta or qantuta, from Quechua qantu). It can be found in the high valleys of the Andes in Peru and Bolivia.[citation needed]
Suriname
[edit]Called faya lobi ("fiery love") in Sranantongo, the jungle geranium (Ixora coccinea) is commonly considered a symbol of Suriname.[citation needed]
Uruguay
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Cattleya_mossiae2.jpg/130px-Cattleya_mossiae2.jpg)
The national flower of Uruguay is the flower of the ceibo tree (Erythrina crista-galli).[citation needed]
Venezuela
[edit]The national flower of Venezuela is the Flor de Mayo (Cattleya mossiae), an orchid.[citation needed]
Subnational plants
[edit]Australia
[edit]- Australian Capital Territory – Royal Bluebell (Wahlenbergia gloriosa)[106]
- New South Wales – New South Wales Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)[106]
- Northern Territory – Sturt's Desert Rose (Gossypium sturtianum)[106]
- Queensland – Cooktown Orchid (Dendrobium phalaenopsis)[106]
- South Australia – Sturt's Desert Pea (Swainsona formosa)[106]
- Tasmania – Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus)[106]
- Victoria – Pink (Common) Heath (Epacris impressa)[106]
- Western Australia – Red and Green Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos manglesii)[106]
Norway
[edit]- Lily-of-the-valley was chosen as the county flower of Østfold[107]
- Globe flower is the county flower of Troms[108]
United Kingdom
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Tudor_Rose.svg/220px-Tudor_Rose.svg.png)
Each of the four countries of the United Kingdom has a traditional floral emblem:
- England – officially the Tudor rose[109][64] or unofficially the red rose and English oak.
- Northern Ireland – the flax,[66] orange lily, or shamrock. [citation needed]
- Scotland – the Scotch thistle, Scottish bluebell (harebell), or heather.[citation needed]
- Wales – the daffodil, leek, Tudor Rose, or sessile oak.[citation needed]
County flowers
[edit]A county flower is a flowering plant chosen to symbolise a county. They exist primarily in the United Kingdom, but some counties in other countries also have them.
One or two county flowers have a long history in England – the red rose of Lancashire dates from the Middle Ages, for instance. However, the county flower concept was only extended to cover the whole United Kingdom in 2002, as a promotional tool by a charity. In that year, the plant conservation charity Plantlife ran a competition to choose county flowers for all counties, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
Plantlife's scheme is loosely based on Britain's historic counties, and so some current local government areas are not represented by a flower, and some of the counties included no longer exist as administrative areas. Flowers were also chosen for thirteen major cities: Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham and Sheffield. The Isles of Scilly was also treated as a county (distinct from Cornwall) for the purpose of the scheme. The Isle of Man was included, even though it is not a county, but a self-governing territory outside of the United Kingdom with an existing national flower: the ragwort or cushag.[110] The Channel Islands were not included.
A total of 94 flowers were chosen in the competition. 85 of the 109 counties have a unique county flower, but several species were chosen by more than one county. Foxglove or Digitalis purpurea was chosen for four counties – Argyll, Birmingham, Leicestershire and Monmouthshire – more than any other species. The following species were chosen for three counties each:
- Bog Rosemary Andromeda polifolia (Cardiganshire, Kirkcudbright and Tyrone)
- Cowslip Primula veris (Northamptonshire, Surrey and Worcestershire)
- Harebell Campanula rotundifolia (Antrim, Dumfriesshire and Yorkshire)
- Thrift Armeria maritima (Buteshire, Pembrokeshire and the Isles of Scilly)
And the following species were chosen for two counties:
- Grass-of-parnassus Parnassia palustris (Cumberland and Sutherland)
- Pasqueflower Pulsatilla vulgaris (Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire)
- Common Poppy Papaver rhoeas (Essex and Norfolk)
In addition, Sticky Catchfly Lychnis viscaria was chosen for both Edinburgh and Midlothian, the county containing Edinburgh.
For most counties, native species were chosen, but for a small number of counties, non-natives were chosen, mainly archaeophytes.
Unofficial plants
[edit]Armenia
[edit]No plant or flower seems to be among the current official symbols.[111] Some flowering plants from the area include Althaea armeniaca, Armenian Basket, Muscari armeniacum, Papaver lateritium, Armenian vartig (vargit), and Tulipa armena.
Azerbaijan
[edit]Azerbaijan currently has no official national flower. Traditionally, various regions have different designations where national symbols are concerned. The city of Shusha named the Khari Bulbul (Ophrys caucasica) the floral emblem of the Nagorno-Karabakh.[112]
Belarus
[edit]The unofficial national flower of Belarus is wild blue flax,[50] Centaurea.
China
[edit]China currently has no official national flower. Traditionally, various regions have different designations where national symbols are concerned.
In 1903, the Qing dynasty named the peony (牡丹) the floral emblem of the nation. The peony has long been considered a flower of wealth and honor in China.[citation needed]
The puppet state Manchukuo followed Japan's model of dual floral emblems: the "spring orchid" (Cymbidium goeringii) for the Emperor and the imperial household, and the sorghum blossom (Sorghum bicolor) for the state and the nation.[citation needed]
The plum blossom, meihua (Chinese: 梅花; pinyin: méihuā), has also been one of the most beloved flowers in Chinese culture. The Republic of China government named the plum blossom as the national flower in 1964.[36] The plum blossom is symbol for resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, because plum blossoms often bloom most vibrantly even amidst the harsh winter snow.[36][37][38]
The People's Republic of China, which has controlled mainland China since 1949, has no official floral emblem. There have been several petitions in recent years to officially adopt one. However, the government has not taken any action yet. A poll in 2005 showed that 41% of the public supports peony as the national flower while 36% supported the plum blossom.[113] Some scholars have suggested that the peony and plum blossoms may be designated as dual national flowers. In addition, the orchid, jasmine, daffodil and chrysanthemum have also been held as possible floral symbols of China.
Ecuador
[edit]No flower has been officially declared as a national symbol. Unofficially the rose and the orchid are claimed to hold that title.[114]
Egypt
[edit]Both Blue Egyptian Lotus and White Egyptian Lotus are regarded as Egypt's national flowers, and they appear in many Ancient Egyptian paintings and monuments.[citation needed]
France
[edit]While France does not have an official national flower, the fleur-de-lis, which was a symbol of the royal family, as well as the cornflower (blue), marguerite (white), and red poppy, which together represent the tri-colored national flag, are also generally treated as French national flowers.[citation needed]
Guinea
[edit]In a 2018 public vote Vernonia djalonensis was voted as the national flower of Guinea, a decision which is currently awaiting government approval[115]
Italy
[edit]Italy doesn't have an official floral emblem, though the Lily lilium is commonly cited. Other less common options are the Rose and the White poppy.[116][117]
Japan
[edit]Japan's national government has never formally named a national flower, as with other symbols such as the green pheasant, which was named as national bird by a non-government body in 1947. In 1999, the national flag and anthem were standardised by law.
A de facto national flower for Japan for many is the sakura (cherry blossom), while a stylised depiction of a Chrysanthemum morifolium is used as the official emblem of the imperial family (Imperial Seal of Japan). The Paulownia blossom was also used by the imperial family in the past, but has since been appropriated by the Prime Minister and the government in general (Government Seal of Japan).[citation needed]
Vietnam
[edit]While Vietnam does not have an official flower, four plants are traditional regarded as the four graceful plants, namely: the lotus, the pine, bamboo, and the chrysanthemum.[9][118] The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is generally regarded as the unofficial national flower of Vietnam,[119] as portrayed, for example, on their postage stamps.[120] In Vietnamese tradition, the lotus is regarded as the symbol of purity, commitment and optimism for the future.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Republic of Mauritius- National Flower". www.govmu.org. Archived from the original on 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
- ^ "The National Flower of Nigeria: Costus Spectabilis | Nigerian Embassy in Tel-Aviv, Israel". www.nigerianembassy.co.il. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
- ^ "The Mysterious and Exotic Plants of Seychelles | | International Magazine Kreol". kreolmagazine.com. March 2012. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
- ^ "South Africa's National Flower". www.southafrica-newyork.net. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
- ^ "Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Gloriosa superba". www.zimbabweflora.co.zw. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ "Gloriosa superba | PlantZAfrica". pza.sanbi.org. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ "National Symbols". Bhutan.Travel. Tourism Council of Bhutan. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ "National flower renamed as Meconopsis gakyidiana". Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation Limited. Bhutan Broadcasting Service. 30 March 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "ASEAN National Flowers". Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Archived from the original on 20 January 2012.
- ^ "ROYAL DECREE on Designation of Animals and Plants as National Symbols of the Kingdom of Cambodia" (PDF). Forestry Administration of Cambodia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2007-06-08.
- ^ "Sphaerocoryne affinis (Teijsm. & Binn.) Ridl". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ "ASEANWEB - ASEAN National Flowers". Archived from the original on 2011-10-31. Retrieved 2011-10-23.
- ^ Keputusan Presiden No. 4 Tahun 1993 Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "بررسی سیر تاریخی مفاهیم گل نیلوفر آبی(لوتوس) در هنرومعماری اسلامی و ایرانی تاملی اجمالی بر تجلی نماد نیلوفرآبی در هنرهای آریائی ، شرقی وایرانی – اسلامی". 25 November 1394.
- ^ הכלנית: הזוכה בתחרות "הפרח של ישראל", ynet, November 25th, 2013.
- ^ "'Calanit' (the anemone) crowned as Israel's national flower - National News - Jerusalem Post". www.jpost.com. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
- ^ "Wildlife and Vegetation". kinghussein.gov.jo. Government of Jordan. Retrieved 2015-05-10.
- ^ Lian, Michelle. "Hibiscus – Malaysia's national pride". AllMalaysia.info. Archived from the original on 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- ^ "Sponsored by Maldives Airports Company Limited - A tribute to the Maldives Environment". Archived from the original on 2008-09-07. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
- ^ Б. МӨНГӨНТАМИР (2014-10-27). "Mongolia has named its national flower". News.MN. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
- ^ "Plants, Animals and Birds of Nepal". Nepal Vista. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ North Korea Quarterly. Institute of Asian Affairs. 1988.
...Rose of Sharon is no longer the national flower, as in South Korea, but "mongnan" (magnolia). It is because [the rose of Sharon] cannot be grown for next generations with seeds, while [magnolia] can be.
- ^ National Symbols of Pakistan, Official Gateway to the Government of Pakistan, archived from the original on 28 November 2016, retrieved 28 July 2016
- ^ William Henry Scott, 1984, Prehispanic Source Materials for the Study of Philippine History, accessed 1 July 2021.
- ^ Jean-Paul G. POTET, 2013, Arabian and Persian loanwords in Tagalog, p. 250.
- ^ M.c. Halili, 2004, Philippine History, Rex Bookstore, p. 49.
- ^ Cecilio D. Duka, 2008, Struggle for Freedom, Rex Bookstore, p. 35.
- ^ "Taif's Roses: Traditional Scent". visitsaudi.com. Saudi Tourism Authority. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
- ^ "Korea.net".
- ^ "The Korean rose". 8 May 2018.
- ^ "National Administration> National Symbols of the Republic of Korea> the National Flower - Mugunghwa".
- ^ "Sri Lanka National Flower". gov.lk. Government of Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ^ "Zeylanica (Nymphaea stellata)". Archived from the original on 2009-07-18. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
- ^ "National Stats of Bangladesh". park.org. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
- ^ "National Flower". www.mysrilanka.com. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
- ^ a b c d Government Information Office, Republic of China - National Flower Archived 2011-08-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c National Flag, Anthem and Flower
- ^ a b "The Three Friends of Winter: Paintings of Pine, Plum, and Bamboo from the Museum Collection". Taipei: National Palace Museum. January 2003. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
- ^ Tian, D.K.; Mo, H.B.; Zhang, W.W.; Huang, X.; Li, C.; Xu, Y.Y. (May 2014). "Progress on International Lotus Registration and Construction of International Nelumbo Database". Acta Horticulturae (1035): 79–85. doi:10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1035.9. ISSN 0567-7572.
- ^ admin (2015-08-01). "De iris". Belgische volksverhalen. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
- ^ NWS, VRT (2024-01-20). "Jouw vraag over Brussel: Waarom is de iris het symbool van Brussel?". vrtnws.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-06-01.
- ^ "National, Native and Popular Flower of Belgium - The Flower Expert - Flowers Encyclopedia". The Flower Expert. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
- ^ James Minahan The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems Vol.1, p. 364, at Google Books
- ^ "ΤΟ ΕΘΝΙΚΟ ΦΥΤΟ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΠΡΟΥ" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
- ^ "Nationalplanter og -dyr" [Nationalplants and -animals] (in Danish). Naturstyrelsen, Danish Ministry of the Environment. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ "Lily-of-the-valley - Nationalparks.fi". www.nationalparks.fi. Archived from the original on 2019-03-28. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
- ^ "It's time nerines got more recognition". Guernsey Press. 4 April 2017.
- ^ "Il fiore nazionale dell'Italia (e quello degli altri Paesi del mondo)" (in Italian). Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Il corbezzolo simbolo dell'Unità d'Italia. Una specie che resiste agli incendi". Altovastese (in Italian). 3 October 2011. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ a b c d James Minahan. The complete guide to national symbols and emblems, Vol. 1. Greenwood Press. 2009.
- ^ "Winnaar: Madeliefje is onze Nationale Bloem - Vroege Vogels - BNNVARA".
- ^ Thammy Evans; Philip Briggs (2019). North Macedonia. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 2. ISBN 9781784770846. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ "Wirtualny atlas roślin: Wyka kaszubska / Vicia cassubica". atlas.roslin.pl. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
- ^ "Portugal's national flower". www.theportugalnews.com. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ "20 Flores nacionais de diferentes países e alguns dados curiosos sobre elas" (in Portuguese). incrivel.club. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ Nora de Angelli (20 May 2023). "Bujorul românesc, cel mai cunoscut bujor de la noi". sor.ro (in Romanian).
- ^ President honors Serbian WW1 soldiers in Greece: In commemoration of Armistice Day, President Tomislav Nikolić paid homage to fallen Serbian soldiers at the Greek island of Vido.
- ^ "Serbia to mark Armistice Day as state holiday". 9 November 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ "Simbol slovenstva - ob krstu je bel, na krsti rdeč". vecer.com (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2024-01-03.
- ^ Norton, Alberta (2016-09-23). "Red Carnation: The National flower of Spain". Read National. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
- ^ "Red Carnation: The National Flower of Spain". Helo National | All about Nations and National stuff. 2016-08-05. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
- ^ "Sveriges nationalblomma". 13 March 2021.
- ^ "Resultat Nationalblomman". 13 March 2021. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d United States Congress (1959) [1873]. Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 86th Congress, First Session. Vol. 105 (1st ed.). United States Government Printing Office. p. 10345. eISSN 2380-2340. ISSN 0883-1947. OCLC 5058415. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ Heeland, Kelsey (14 March 2023). "The National Flowers of the United Kingdom". hattonsoflondon.co.uk. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ a b De Cleene, Marcel; Lejeune, Marie Claire (2002). Compendium of Symbolic and Ritual Plants in Europe: Herbs. Man & Culture Publishers. p. 236. ISBN 9077135049. OCLC 183137213. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ Minahan, James (23 December 2009). The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems. Vol. 2. ABC-Clio. p. 521. ISBN 9780313344978. OCLC 1002080269. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ "Official symbols of Canada". Government of Canada. 3 March 2014. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Ontario". Government of Canada. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ "Quebec". Government of Canada. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ "L'iris versicolore". Gouvernement du Québec. 2014-01-03. Archived from the original on 2015-07-21. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ "Nova Scotia". Government of Canada. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ "New Brunswick". Government of Canada. 2013-08-28. Archived from the original on 2016-01-13. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ "Manitoba". Government of Canada. 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ "British Columbia". Government of Canada. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ "Prince Edward Island". Government of Canada. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ "Saskatchewan". Government of Canada. 2013-08-20. Archived from the original on 2015-07-21. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ "Alberta". Government of Canada. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ "Newfoundland and Labrador". Government of Canada. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ "Northwest Territories". Government of Canada. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ "Yukon". Government of Canada. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ "Nunavut". Government of Canada. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ "National Floral Emblem". American Rose Society.
- ^ "National Flower | The Rose". statesymbolsusa.org. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
- ^ "National Symbols". Government of Antigua & Barbuda. Archived from the original on 2018-12-26. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ "The Yellow Elder – The National Flower of the Bahamas". The Government of The Bahamas.
- ^ "The National Flower of Barbados". The Government of Barbados. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06.
- ^ "National Symbols". Government of Belize. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
- ^ "Guaria Morada". CostaRica.Org. 2017-05-24. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
- ^ "Mi País - Portal Cuba.cu". mipais.cuba.cu. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ "National Flower - Office of the President". presidentoffice.gov.dm. Archived from the original on 2019-05-03. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
- ^ "The Rose of Bayahibe, our national flower". Dominican Central. July 17, 2011.
- ^ "La Monja Blanca, Flor Nacional de Guatemala | Aprende Guatemala.com". Aprende Guatemala.com (in European Spanish). 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
- ^ Embassy of the Republic of Haiti: National Symbols Archived 2015-05-29 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Graves, Kerry A. (2002). Haiti. Capstone. p. 57. ISBN 9780736869614. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- ^ "Flor Nacional de Honduras - Orquidea Rhyncholaelia Digbyana". XplorHonduras Honduras (in European Spanish). 2012-08-16. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
- ^ "National Symbols of Jamaica". jis.gov.jm. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
- ^ "Australia's Floral Emblem". Australian National Botanic Gardens.
- ^ Nationhood and identity teara.govt.nz
- ^ "About Argentina". www.argentina.gov.ar. Archived from the original on 2008-02-16. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- ^ Constitution of Bolivia (in Spanish) (2009 ed.). Plurinational State of Bolivia. pp. Article 6.
- ^ "Canada.ca". 13 December 2013.
- ^ "Offaly (South)".
- ^ "La Ginesta, flor nacional de Catalunya" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-03-18.
- ^ Chorima
- ^ a b c d e f g h Australian National Botanic Gardens, Parks Australia. "Floral Emblems - Australian Plant Information". www.anbg.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
- ^ Østfold
- ^ Troms Archived 2007-03-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ National Flowers of the UK Archived 2009-01-09 at the Wayback Machine, 10 Downing Street. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
- ^ "Island Facts - Isle of Man Government -". 2007-05-10. Archived from the original on 2007-05-10. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
- ^ "State symbols of the Republic of Armenia". Website of the President of Armenia.
- ^ "Monument to Khari bulbul to be erected in Turkey". news.az. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
- ^ 民众呼吁尽快确定国花 梅花还是牡丹引起激辩 (Chinese: The public calls for speedy designation of national flower; debates between plum blossom and peony) Archived 2012-04-24 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Google Translate".
- ^ O'Mahony, Jennifer (2018-06-12). "Guinea selects national flower for the first time with help from Kew Gardens". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2019-11-13.
- ^ "What Is The National Flower of Italy?". WhatsAnswer. 2017-12-20. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "What Is The National Flower of Italy?". Flowers Italy. 2023-02-06. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
- ^ "Floral emblems of Vietnam and South East Asian nations". VietNamNet Online Newspaper. 3 November 2013. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013.
- ^ "Symbol of Vietnam: Vietnam National flower". Vietnam Travel. Archived from the original on 2 March 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
- ^ Scott #874 and #875 show the lotus and flag, respectively, in honor of the first unified National Assembly general elections of 1976. Scott Publishing Company (2008). 2009 Scott Standard Stamp Catalogue: Vietnam. Vol. 6. New York. p. 1001.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link), and again the flag and lotus are on the bicentennial issue Scot #3233, Scott Standard Stamp Catalogue 2008 page 1032
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Plantlife County flowers page
- BBC coverage of the county flowers competition
- Provincial Floral Emblems of Canada - The Canadian Encyclopedia
- National Flowers
- Buzzle.com List of national flowers by country