List of national flowers

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.

Americas

Antigua & Barbuda

The national flower of Antigua & Barbuda is Agave karatto, also known as Dagger Log or Batta Log.

Argentina

National flower of Argentina

The national flower of Argentina is the flower of the ceibo tree, also known as seibo or bucaré (Erythrina crista-galli)

The Bahamas

The national flower of The Bahamas is the Yellow Elder (Tecoma stans).

Belize

The national flower of Belize is the Black Orchid (Prosthechea cochleata)

Bolivia

Bolivian national flowers are Kantuta (Catua buxifolia) and patujú (Heliconia rostrata)

Brazil

The nation flower of Brazil is the Tabebuia alba flower.

Canada

The maple leaf is widely used as a symbol for Canada. Many Canadian flags and coat 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. The Coat of Arms of Nova Scotia has the trailing arbutus or mayflower, the floral emblem of Nova Scotia, added when the arms were reassumed in 1929.

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Newfoundland (Canadian province) – Pitcher Plant

Quebec

• Quebec – Iris versicolor, Madonna lily (until 1999 but still on the flag), Maple Leaf

Ontario

• Ontario - Trillium

Manitoba

• Manitoba - Prairie Crocus

Yukon

• Yukon - Fireweed

Chile

• Chile – Copihue

Colombia

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.

Costa Rica

• Costa Rica - "Guaria morada", Guarianthe skinneri

Dominica

• Dominica - Caribwood or Bois Kwaib (Poitea carinalis)

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic's national flower is the Caoba (Swietenia mahagoni) or Mahogany tree flower.

Guatemala

• Monja Blanca, (White Lycaste skinneri)

Guyana

• Guyana - Victoria regia lily

Jamaica

• Jamaica – Lignum Vitae (Guiacum officinale)

Malta

• Malta - Widnet il-Baħar

Mexico

National flower of Mexico

• Mexico – Dahlia

Nicaragua

Nicaragua's national flower is the Sancuanjoche (Plumeria rubra var alba), and was declared the country's national flower on August 17th, 1971. Its name is derived from Nicarao, the name of the Nahuatl-speaking tribe which inhabited Nicaragua; "xacuan"(sacuan) means beautiful yellow petals and "xochilt"(joche) means flower. The flower can be found in the Masaya Volcano National Park among other places.

Nicaragua and Laos share the same national flower under different local names. In Laos it is named "Champa".

Panama

National flower of Panama

Panama's national flower is the Holy Ghost Orchid or La Flor del Espiritu Santo (Peristeria elata). It is best known for its ivory color petals.

Peru

The national flower of Peru is the Cantuta (often spelled Kantuta or Qantuta, from Quechua qantu)(cantua buxifolia). It can be found at the high valleys of the Andean territory, in Peru and Bolivia.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

• Saint Kitts and Nevis - Red Royal Poinciana

Trinidad and Tobago

• Trinidad and Tobago - Chaconia(Warszewiczia coccinea)

United States

See also: List of U.S. state flowers

See also: List of U.S. state trees

In 1986 President Ronald Reagan signed legislation to make the rose the floral emblem of the United States. In the United States, state flowers and state trees have been adopted as symbols by state legislatures.

Uruguay

• Uruguay – Ceibo

Venezuela

• Venezuela – "Flor de Mayo" (Cattleya mossiae) (orchid)

Africa

National flower of Ethopia

Egypt

• Egypt – lady slipper

Ethiopia

• Ethiopia - Calla lily

Nigeria

• Nigeria - Costus spectabilis

South Africa

• South Africa – King protea

Zimbabwe

• Zimbabwe – Flame lily

Asia

Bangladesh

National flower of Bangladesh

The national flower and national emblem of Bangladesh is the shapla (Nymphaea nouchali) See also: National Emblem of Bangladesh.

Bhutan

• Bhutan - Blue poppy (Meconopsis grandis)

Brunei

• Brunei – Simpor (Dillenia suffruticosa)

Cambodia

• Cambodia – Romduol (Mitrella mesnyi or Melodorum fruticosum) (flower), "Chicken-egg banana" (fruit)

People's Republic of China

The floral emblem of China is usually the Rock's Peony (unofficial) or peony, also Sunflower (obsolete), plum blossom, and Chrysanthemum.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Bauhinia blakeana, the floral emblem of Hong Kong

Bauhinia blakeana, a native species discovered in Hong Kong, is the floral emblem of Hong Kong. It was chosen as the "City Flower" by the Urban Council in 1965 and became the floral emblem of the Urban Council and Hong Kong. It was later incorporated in the flag and emblem of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region after the 1997 handover of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China.

Macau Special Administrative Region

Macau – Lotus

Republic of China ("Taiwan")

The flower for Republic of China is the Plum Blossom.

India

Lotus - National flower of India, Macau and Vietnam.

The flower of India is often thought of to be the Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). This is probably due to the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi as she is often seen standing inside a Lotus and Mango (National Fruit).

Indonesia

The national flowers of Indonesia are Melati (Jasminum sambac), moth orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis) and Rafflesia arnoldii

Iran

• Iran – Tulip (depicted on the Flag of Iran)

Iraq

• Iraq – Rose

Israel

Cyclamen (Rakefet)

• Israel - Cyclamen (Rakefet רקפת in Hebrew)

Jordan

• Jordan – Black iris (Iris chrysographes)

Japan

Imperial seal of Japan

Japan's national government has never formally named a "national flower." (The green pheasant was named as national bird [by a non-government body] in 1947, but it wasn't until 1999 that the national flag and national anthem were officially passed into law.) Many consider the national flower of Japan to be the 'Japanese Flowering Cherry' or Cherry blossom, while a stylized picture of a chrysanthemum is used as the official seal of the Japanese Imperial Family. (See picture.)

North Korea

• Nonazhreea –makenna Mamariaia

South Korea

• South Korea – Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon)

Kuwait

• Kuwait – Rhanterium epapposum

Laos

Laos national flower is the Plumeria (champa).

Malaysia

National flower of Malaysia

The national flower of Malaysia is the Chinese Hibiscus or bunga raya (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis).

The state flower for the state of Sarawak in eastern Malaysia is Phalaenopsis bellina.

Maldives

• Maldives – Rose

Myanmar

• Myanmar – Pterocarpus indicus (paduak)

Nepal

• Nepal – Rhododendron

Pakistan

Jasmine in full bloom, the National flower Of Pakistan

provincial flower of Sindh

The floral emblem are the National symbols of the country constituting the nation-state such as the Jasmine (National flower of Pakistan) and Rhododendron the (State flower) and the Almond tree (State tree) in the Regional state of Jammu and Kashmir (disputed territory), Deodar (National tree of Pakistan), Mango (National fruit of Pakistan),

Provincial floral emblem of Pakistan

The Provincial floral emblems of Pakistan are the symbols of the four constituting provinces of the nation-state.

• Islamabad Capital Territory - Common fig (Territorial tree) and the Rose (Territorial flower)
• Balochistan (Pakistan) - Date palm (Provincial tree) and Ephedra (genus) (Provincial flower)
• North-West Frontier Province - Juniperus squamata (Provincial tree) and Morina (Provincial flower)
• Punjab (Pakistan) - Pomegranate (Provincial tree) and Justicia adhatoda (Provincial flower)
• Sindh - Capparis decidua (Provincial tree) and Water hyacinth (Provincial flower)

Also See: National Emblem of Pakistan.

The Philippines

National flower of the Philippines

• Philippines – sampaguita (Arabian jasmine, Jasminum sambac)

Singapore

The national flower for Singapore is Vanda Miss Joaquim.

Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka - Nil Manel (Blue Lotus) (Nymphaea caerulea)

Thailand

The national flower for Thailand is Golden Shower Tree, locally called dok khuen or Rachapruek

Vietnam

• Vietnam – Red lotus

Australasia

Australia

The floral emblem of Australia is the Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha). Floral emblems have also been adopted by each state and territory. See List of Australian floral emblems for a complete list.

New Zealand

The "Silver Fern" (foliage) is acknowledged as a national emblem in New Zealand. Other plant emblems are: Koru (a curled fern symbol) and Kowhai (a native tree with yellow cascading flowers).

Eurasia

Armenia

• Armenia – Apricot (Prunus Armeniaca) and Pomegranate, which symbolizes fertility in Armenian belief.

Russia

• Russia – Camomile, Sunflower. Russia grows more sunflowers than any other nation on earth. They were originally brought back from Holland by Peter the Great, and soon became an important source of oil and food.

Soviet Union

• Soviet Union – Carnation

Europe

Albania

Red poppy

The floral emblem of Albania is the red and black poppy. The poppy can be found everywhere in this Mediterranean country, and are recognized for their beauty, medicinal value, and seeds.

Austria

• Austria - Gentian (German: Enzian) Edelweiss

Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Bosnia and Herzegovina - Lilium bosniacum

Bulgaria

• Bulgaria – rose

Cyprus

• Cyprus – Cyprus cyclamen

Denmark

• Denmark – Red clover

Estonia

• Estonia - cornflower

Finland

• Finland – Lily of the valley, white rose

France

• France – Fleur de lis (iris)

claye rocks the world

Germany

• Germany – Cornflower, oak

Greece

• Greece - Laurel branch, violet

Iceland

• Iceland – White Dryas (Dryas octopetala)

Ireland

• The shamrock (or trefoil) is widely used as an unofficial symbol for Ireland.

County flowers in Ireland

• Bog-rosemary is the county flower of County Offaly [2]

Italy

• Italy - Cyclamen

Malta

• Malta – Maltese Rock Centaury

The Netherlands

• Netherlands – Tulip (unofficial)

Norway

• Norway – Heather– Saxifraga cotyledon

County Flowers of Norway

• Lily-of-the-valley was chosen as the county flower of Østfold [3]
• Globe flower is the county flower of Troms [4]

Poland

• Poland - Weeping willow

Portugal

• Portugal - Lavender, Olive leaves, Cork Oak, Red Carnation, Sunflower and Blue-White Hydrangea

Romania

• Romania - Rose

Serbia

• Serbia – Plum

Slovakia

• Slovakia - Tilia cordata

Slovenia

• Slovenia – Carnation

Spain

The national flower of Spain is the carnation (clavel).

• Spain – Carnation

The national flower of Spain is considered to be the carnation, in Spanish clavel. Essentially it's associated with Spanish folklore, especially from southern Spain, or Andalusia.

In any case, it's not only related to the more seedy side of Spain, like gipsy's lapels or thrown into the bullringruedos, but it's also associated with Renacentist a symbol of affection between lovers and especially as a religious symbol related to the Jesus passion that represents the Crown of Thorns (Clavos de Cristo).

It comes from the catalan language word for clove: "clavell" because the carnation also has a nice fragrant aroma, as does this spice.

In Spain and America it symbolizes passion, and it's a very expressive gesture to bite its stem and hold the clavel between one's teeth. In the Spanish language of flowers represents caprice, passion, wish and desire.

Sweden

Province Flowers in Sweden

• Black vanilla orchid, Nigritella nigra, is the province flower of Jämtland [5]
• Mistletoe is the province flower of Västmanland [6]
• The Twinflower, Linnaea Borealis, is the floral emblem of Småland.
• Fritillaria meleagris (Snake's Head Fritillary) is the flower of Uppland.

Switzerland

• Switzerland – Edelweiss

United Kingdom

See also: County flowers of the United Kingdom

Each of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom has a traditional national floral symbol though the UK's national flower is the British Bluebell.

England

In England this is the Tudor rose or red rose,

Northern Ireland

• Northern Ireland – Flax, orange lily, shamrock

Scotland

In Scotland this is variously the Thistle, Scottish bluebell (harebell) or heather

Wales

In Wales this is variously the Daffodil, leek or Sessile Oak

County flowers in the United Kingdom

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, but not the Channel Islands.

A total of 94 flowers was 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 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.

External links

• Plantlife County flowers page
• BBC coverage of the county flowers competition