Can You Get More Than 11 Right on This Flower Identification Quiz?

By: Kirsten
Image: Pixabay by pixel2013

About This Quiz

Did you know that there are approximately 400,000 species of flowering plants around the world? Yes, you read that right: 400,000. It just goes to show that the flowers in our local parks, nurseries and gardens are just a fraction of what is out there.

In fact, the original database of flowering plant species had more than one million entries. After all, botanists around the globe have been naming and classifying plants for centuries. The result was an elaborate and lengthy list with many duplicates. So, in 2010, botanists cut 600,000 species from the database. This project took three years to complete.

Of course, you don’t need to be a botanist to know a thing or two about flowers. Plants are something that everyone can enjoy. From windowsill gardens to landscaped lawns, they can brighten up the home and make people smile. It’s exactly why we hang up wreaths, display bouquets and give flowers to wish someone well.

So, why not challenge yourself with a flower identification quiz? It’s the perfect way to put your green thumb to work — no soil or seeds required.

Don’t worry, though. You don’t need to identify all 400,000 species. Instead, let’s see if you can name at least 11 of these 40 flowers. Ready, set, bloom!



Marigolds, which are native to Mexico, are usually yellow, orange or white. Since they're easy to grow and rarely have pest problems, marigolds are a popular choice among gardeners.

Periwinkles bloom in late March and April. These blue-purple flowers are native to southern Switzerland and were brought to the United States as a medicinal herb.

Ranunculus thrive in southern and western gardens. However, they also work well in containers and as cut flowers. The petals are are delicate and feel like crepe paper.

Snowdrops are named for their white, bell-like petals. Often, they're the first to bloom through melting snow, especially during mild winters. It's a sign that spring is around the corner!

Yarrow flowers may be yellow, red, pink or somewhere in between. Traditionally, Native Americans used yarrow as an herbal medicine. Some people use it to treat stress and anxiety.

The English daisy is the most recognizable type of daisy. With its bright yellow center and white petals, it's associated with innocence and purity. The daisy family, however, includes many types of flowers.

Tulips are bright and vibrant cup-shaped flowers. Typically, the bulbs are planted in autumn before the soil freezes over. By early spring, the tulips are ready to bloom!

Morning glory grows long, slender vine-like stems. The trumpet-shaped flowers can be purple-blue, pink, magenta or white. Morning glories are also related to sweet potatoes!

Pansies have heart-shaped petals that grow in a wide range of colors. They're also edible and have a light mint flavor! If you grow pansies without pesticides, you can add them to dishes like salads or desserts.

Orchids are native to the United States. However, you can find them all over the world — except Antarctica. Orchids are used in ancient Native American and Chinese medicine.

Bachelor's button can grow blue, pink or white petals. It's also known as bachelor button, cornflower and ragged sailor. The flower lasts for a while after cutting, so it works well in bouquets.

Nasturtium flowers are also edible. In fact, they have a surprisingly peppery flavor! These flowers grow in a wide range of colors, including pale yellow, white and deep red.

Also known as cranesbill, geraniums are easy to grow. The flowers are usually pink, purple, blue or white. They're also naturally deer resistant, so you won't have to worry about local deer eating them up.

Hollyhocks bloom in midsummer to early fall. Butterflies and hummingbirds love hollyhocks, but so do spider mites and Japanese beetles.

Cosmos is native to Mexico. They're low-maintenance, easy to grow, and don't attract pests. These flowers have yellow centers and pink, red or white petals.

Native to southern Africa, gazanias are also known as treasure flowers. They're also part of the daisy family. On cloudy days, these flowers usually don't fully open.

Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is bitter yet edible. It can add flavor and color to meals like soups and salad. Calendula is also used in herbal medicine.

These flowers are named snapdragons because they look like a dragon's snout! They're native to southwestern Europe. In the garden, snapdragons attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

The azalea is Georgia's state wildflower. This bright and vibrant flower grows slowly and is part of the same family as blueberries.

California poppies are native to the Pacific region of North America. You can find them in southern Washington, California, Nevada and New Mexico. Bees and butterflies love poppies!

Jacob's ladder, or creeping jacob's ladder, is native to eastern North America. The flower gets its name from the leaves that look like rungs on a ladder.

The sunflower is the state flower of Kansas. They can grow up to 10 feet tall! These cheerful flowers are called sunflowers because they turn toward the sun

Did you know that some hibiscus flowers aren't tropical? The hardy perennial hibiscus, or rose mallow, can survive winter temperatures. Butterflies and hummingbirds love hibiscus flowers.

There are 28 species of irises that are native to the United States. In total, there are 280 species around the world! These large and beautiful flowers range from deep maroon to pale yellow.

Clematis means "vine" in Greek. The flowers can grow in a range of colors, from blue and purple to red and yellow. There are over 300 species of clematis!

In the floral industry, carnations are a popular choice for bouquets. They're inexpensive and last for a long time after cutting. Carnations also symbolize a mother's love.

The common blue violet is a wildflower native to eastern North America. It's also the state flower of New Jersey, Illinois and Rhode Island.

Also known as the pasque flower or wind flower, anemones have hairy stems and leaves. These flowers love cool weather and are native to Europe and southwestern Asia.

With more than 1,300 species and hybrids, the begonia family is extremely diverse. They're easy to grow and often used as bedding plants in gardens.

The zinnia originated in Mexico. They love the heat, so they can withstand droughts and hot weather. Some types of zinnias can grow up to three feet tall.

Lavender is native to Russia, the Mediterranean region and the Arabian Peninsula. In ancient Egypt, this flower was used in the mummification process!

Did you know that daylilies wither away at dusk? In fact, its scientific name is Hemerocallis, which means "beauty for a day" in Greek. Luckily, each stem makes more than one bud.

Heliotrope is native to Peru. They're an old garden favorite that grow in shades of violet. In the home, heliotropes are perfect for hanging baskets and windowsill boxes.

From light blue to dark red, petunias grow in a variety of shades. These flowers are also closely related to tobacco. In fact, the name comes from "petun", or tobacco in Brazilian.

Foxgloves are native to western, southern, and central Europe. They're called foxgloves because the flowers look like the cut-off fingers from a glove!

Goldenrod is one of the most common wildflowers in eastern North America. There are also 130 species! Bees and butterflies love these bright yellow flowers.

Roses are the symbol of love and romance. And according to the University of Illinois, they have been around for 35 million years! The rose is also the state flower of New York.

Hydrangeas LOVE water! They thrive in moist soil and don't do well in droughts. Hydrangeas, also known as bigleaf hydrangeas, grow clusters of pink, blue or white flowers.

Known for its light and sweet fragrance, jasmine originated from China, the Himalayas and Asia minor. Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to these flowers.

Peonies are large and fragrant flowers that originated from China, Siberia and Mongolia. In the 6th century, peonies were used as medicine in Europe.

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