Floral emblem

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 flowers

Africa

Country Name Scientific name Picture Notes
 Botswana Grapple plant Hyppopotomaen douchioun [1]

Asia

Bangladesh

The national flower and floral emblem of Bangladesh is the shapla (Bengali: শাপলা), or Nymphaea nouchali)[2][3] See also: National Emblem of Bangladesh.

Brunei

Cambodia

Cambodia's national flower, the romduol

Cambodia formally adopted the romduol (Khmer: រំដួល) as its national flower in the year 2005 by a royal decree.[5] The royal decree designates the taxon as Mitrella mesnyi, however this is a taxonomically illegitimate synonym for Sphaerocoryne affinis Ridley.[6]

Indonesia

Jasminum sambac, the national flower of Indonesia and the Philippines.

There are three types of floral emblems that symbolize Indonesia:

All three were chosen on World Environment Day in 1990.[7] and enforced by law through Presidential Decree (Keputusan Presiden) No. 4 1993,[8] 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 as 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 floral offering for spirits and deities, and also often present during funerals which gave it its 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 Indonesian rich biodiversity.

Each of the 33 provinces of Indonesia also has a native plant as its provincial flower.

Israel

The calanit, Israel's national flower.

The Israeli national flower is the poppy anemone (Anemone coronaria; calanit metzuya in Hebrew), chosen in 2013 to replace Cyclamen persicum.[9][10]

Laos

The national flower is the plumeria (champa),[4] despite it being no longer endemic.

Malaysia

National flower of Malaysia, the Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis).

The national flower of Malaysia is the bunga raya (Chinese Hibiscus, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis).[4][11]

Maldives

Myanmar

Nepal

The rhododendron, the National flower of the himalayan Republic of Nepal.

North Korea

Philippines

The Philippines adopted the sampaguita (Arabian jasmine, Jasminum sambac) in 1934 as its national flower because it symbolises purity and cleanliness due to its colour and sweet smell.[4] It is popularly strung into garlands that are presented to visitors and dignitaries, and is a common offering to religious images.

Sri Lanka

Nymphaea nouchali is the national flower of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka – Nil mānel,(නිල් මානෙල්) blue-star water-lily (Nymphaea stellata).[15][16] 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.[17][18]

Taiwan

The national flower was officially designated as the plum blossom by the Executive Yuan of the Republic of China on July 21, 1964.[19] The plum blossom, known as the meihua (Chinese: 梅花; pinyin: méihuā), is symbol for resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, because plum trees often bloom most vibrantly even during the harshest winters.[20][21] 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.[19][20]

Thailand

The national flower for Thailand is Golden Shower Tree (Cassia fistula), locally known as dok khuen or rachapruek.[4]

Europe

Belarus

Guernsey

Hungary

Iceland

Lithuania

Poland

Russia

Scotland

Ukraine

North America

Antigua and Barbuda

The national flower of Antigua and Barbuda is Agave karatto, also known as ‘dagger log’ or ‘batta log’.[25]

The Bahamas

The national flower of the Bahamas is the Yellow Elder (Tecoma stans).[26]

Barbados

The national flower of Barbados is the known locally as the Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima).[27]

Belize

The national flower of Belize is the Black Orchid (Prosthechea cochleata)[28]

Canada

The maple leaf is widely used as a symbol for Canada. The maple tree was officially recognized as Canada's arboreal emblem in 1996.[29]

The official Provincial and Territorial floral emblems are:

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.

Dominican Republic

The Bayahibe Rose, national flower of the Dominiican Republic.

The Dominican Republic's national flower was 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.[44]

Haiti

Hibiscus, the national flower of Haiti

Jamaica

The national flower of Jamaica is the lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale).[47]

United States

In 1986 President Ronald Reagan signed legislation to make the rose[48] the floral emblem of the United States.[49] In the United States, state flowers and trees have been adopted as symbols by state legislatures.

Oceania

Golden Wattle, the floral emblem of Australia since 1988
New Zealand's floral emblem, the Kowhai

Australia

The Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) was officially proclaimed the floral emblem of Australia on 1 September 1988.[50]

French Polynesia

The Tahitian gardenia (tiare flower) is the national flower of Tahiti, French Polynesia and the Cook Islands.

Fiji

The national flower is tagimaucia (Medinilla waterhousei), a vine with red and white flowers endemic to the highlands of the island of Taveuni.

New Zealand

New Zealand does not have an official national flower however the Silver Fern (foliage) is acknowledged as a national emblem in New Zealand.[51] The Kowhai (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.

Tonga

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 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.

South America

Argentina

The national flower of Argentina, and Uruguay.

The national flower of Argentina is the flower of the ceibo tree (Erythrina crista-galli), also known as seibo or bucaré[52]

Bolivia

Bolivian national flowers are the kantuta (Cantua buxifolia) and patujú (Heliconia rostrata).

Brazil

The nation flower of Brazil is the flower of the Golden Trumpet Tree (Handroanthus albus).

Chile

Copihue, the national flower of Chile

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.

Guyana

Peru

The national flower of Peru is the cantuta (also spelled kantuta or qantuta, from Quechua qantu). It can be found at the high valleys of the Andean territory, in Peru and Bolivia.

Paraguay

Suriname

Called faya lobi ("fiery love") in Sranantongo, the ixora coccinea is a commonly considered a symbol of Suriname.

Uruguay

Cattleya mossiae, Venezuela.

Venezuela

Subnational flowers

Country Subdivision Name Pictures Notes
 Canada Alberta Wild Rose[53]
British Columbia Pacific Dogwood
Manitoba Prairie Crocus
New Brunswick Purple Violet
Newfoundland and Labrador Pitcher plant The pitcher plant was officially declared as the provincial flower in 1954, but had appeared on the colony's coinage as early as the 1880s. It can be found in the marshlands of the province feeding on insects that fall into its leaves and drown.
Northwest Territories Mountain Avens
Nova Scotia Mayflower
Nunavut Purple Saxifrage
Ontario White Trillium
Prince Edward Island Pink Lady's Slipper
Quebec Blue Flag Iris The Blue Flag Iris replaced the Madonna Lily in 1999, since the lily was not native to Quebec.
Saskatchewan Western Red Lily
Yukon Fireweed
 Sweden Småland Linnaea borealis The Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, sw. Carl von Linné (1707–1778), often called the father of taxonomy or "The flower-king", was born in Älmhult in Småland. He gave the Twinflower its Latin name based on his own (Latin: Linnaea borealis), because of his particular fondness of it. The flower has become Småland's provincial flower.
 China  Hong Kong Bauhinia blakeana The blossom, native to the territory was chosen as the logo of the Urban Council in 1965 and was later incorporated into the flag and emblem of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China after the 1997 transfer of sovereignty.
 Macau Nelumbo nucifera A stylised depiction of the flower can be seen in the territory's flag.
 Ireland County Offaly Bog-rosemary[54]
 Pakistan Islamabad Capital Territory Paper mulberry
Rose

The floral emblems of the four constituting provinces of Pakistan; however, they are all unofficial and are not recognised by the new Federal Government of Pakistan.
Balochistan Date palm
Perovskia atriplicifolia

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Jujube
Calotropis procera

The Punjab Tamarix aphylla
Datura metel

Sindh Vachellia nilotica
Nerium

Gilgit–Baltistan Quercus ilex
Aquilegia

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Platanus orientalis
Rhododendron ponticum

 Spain Catalonia Weaver's Broom[55]
(Spartium junceum)
Usually along with red poppies
Galicia Gorse flower[56]
(Ulex europaeus)

Australia

Norway

United Kingdom

Each of the four countries of the United Kingdom has a traditional floral emblem.

County flowers

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.[60] The Channel Islands were not included.

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 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:

And the following species were chosen for two counties:

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. For example, Hampshire has a Tudor rose as its county flower, even though it is not a native species.

Unofficial flowers

Armenia

No plant or flower seems to be among the current official symbols.[61] Some flowering plants from the area include Althaea armeniaca, Armenian Basket, Muscari armeniacum, Armenian Poppy, Armenian vartig (vargit), and Tulipa armena.

Azerbaijan

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.[62]

China

Plum blossom, or meihua (梅花).

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.

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.

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.[19] 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.[19][20][21]

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.[63] 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.

Denmark

Denmark has no official floral emblem. The daisy won an unofficial competition on a national flower in the 1980s, but it was not officially adopted. In 1936, the Danish foreign office responded to Argentina that it would be the red clover, due to its significance in agriculture. The letter is obscure and was soon forgotten.[64] Denmark has never used a floral emblem.

Ecuador

No flower has been officially declared as a national symbol. Unofficially the rose and the orchid are claimed to hold that title.[65]

Japan

Cherry blossoms
Chrysanthemum morifolium
The cherry blossom and chrysanthemum morifolium are usually considered the national flowers of Japan.

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).

Netherlands

While the Netherlands does not have an official national flower, the tulip is widely considered to be its national flower.[66]

Vietnam

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.[4][67] The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is generally regarded as the unofficial national flower of Vietnam,[68] as portrayed, for example, on their postage stamps.[69] In Vietnamese tradition, the lotus is regarded as the symbol of purity, commitment and optimism for the future.[4]

See also

References

  1. Pelontle, Kedirebofe (13 May 2014). "Department unveils national symbols". DailyNews. Botswana Press Agency (BOPA). Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  2. "Constitution of Bangladesh – Chapter I". Archived from the original on 2008-03-30. Retrieved 2008-04-09.
  3. http://www.supremecourt.gov.bd/scweb/constitution/pdf/04_part1-4.pdf
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "ASEAN National Flowers". Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Archived from the original on 20 January 2012.
  5. "ROYAL DECREE on Designation of Animals and Plants as National Symbols of the Kingdom of Cambodia" (PDF). Forestry Administration of Cambodia. Retrieved 2007-06-08.
  6. "The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Published on the Internet". The Plant List. July 4, 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  7. http://www.asean.org/18203.htm
  8. Keputusan Presiden No. 4 Tahun 1993
  9. הכלנית: הזוכה בתחרות "הפרח של ישראל", ynet, November 25th, 2013.
  10. http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Calanit-the-anemone-crowned-as-Israels-national-flower-332962
  11. Lian, Michelle. "Hibiscus – Malaysia's national pride". AllMalaysia.info.
  12. "Plants, Animals and Birds of Nepal". Nepal Vista. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  13. 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.
  14. "Sri Lanka National Flower". gov.lk. Government of Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
  15. Zeylanica (Nymphaea stellata)
  16. TokyoNet - National Statistics
  17. 1 2 3 4 Government Information Office, Republic of China - National Flower
  18. 1 2 3 National Flag, Anthem and Flower
  19. 1 2 "The Three Friends of Winter: Paintings of Pine, Plum, and Bamboo from the Museum Collection". Taipei: National Palace Museum. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 James Minahan. The complete guide to national symbols and emblems, Vol. 1. Greenwood Press. 2009.
  21. "It’s time nerines got more recognition". Guernsey Press. 4 April 2017.
  22. "National Symbols". Government of Antigua & Barbuda.
  23. "The Yellow Elder – The National Flower of the Bahamas". The Government of The Bahamas.
  24. "The National Flower of Barbados". The Government of Barbados.
  25. "National Symbols". Government of Belize. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  26. "Official symbols of Canada". Government of Canada. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  27. "Ontario". Government of Canada. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  28. "Quebec". Government of Canada. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  29. "L'iris versicolore". Gouvernement du Québec. 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  30. "Nova Scotia". Government of Canada. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  31. "New Brunswick". Government of Canada. 2013-08-28. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  32. "Manitoba". Government of Canada. 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  33. "British Columbia". Government of Canada. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  34. "Prince Edward Island". Government of Canada. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  35. "Saskatchewan". Government of Canada. 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  36. "Alberta". Government of Canada. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  37. "Newfoundland and Labrador". Government of Canada. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  38. "Northwest Territories". Government of Canada. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  39. "Yukon". Government of Canada. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  40. "Nunavut". Government of Canada. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  41. "The Rose of Bayahibe, our national flower". Dominican Central. July 17, 2011.
  42. Embassy of the Republic of Haiti: National Symbols
  43. Graves, Kerry A. (2002). "Haiti". p. 57. ISBN 9780736869614. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  44. "National Symbols of Jamaica". jis.gov.jm. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
  45. http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/National_Symbols/National_flower.html
  46. National Flower of United States - Fresh from the Grower
  47. "Australia's Floral Emblem". Australian National Botanic Gardens.
  48. Nationhood and identity teara.govt.nz
  49. "About Argentina". www.argentina.gov.ar.
  50. http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/symbl/101/117-eng.cfm#a6
  51. http://www.destinations-uk.com/ireland.php?countyid=65
  52. http://www.festes.org/arxius/ginestaflornacional.pdf
  53. Chorima
  54. Østfold
  55. Troms
  56. National Flowers of the UK, 10 Downing Street. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
  57. http://www.gov.im/isleofman/facts.xml#flower
  58. "State symbols of the Republic of Armenia". Website of the President of Armenia.
  59. Monument to Khari bulbul to be erected in Turkey
  60. 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)
  61. Danish Nature Agency (Danish)
  62. https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.hoy.com.ec/noticias-ecuador/de-simbolos-patrios-455760.html&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://www.hoy.com.ec/noticias-ecuador/de-simbolos-patrios-455760.html%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1252%26bih%3D566
  63. http://www.holland.com/uk/press/story-ideas/flowers-gardens/holland-loves-flowers.htm
  64. "Floral emblems of Vietnam and South East Asian nations". VietNamNet Online Newspaper. 3 November 2013. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013.
  65. "Symbol of Vietnam: Vietnam National flower". Vietnam Travel. Archived from the original on 2 March 2013.
  66. 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. 6. New York. p. 1001., and again the flag and lotus are on the bicentennial issue Scot #3233, Scott 2008, p. 1032
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