Can You Match the Flower to Its Scientific Name?

By: Kennita Leon
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Match the Flower to Its Scientific Name?
Image: Savushkin / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

It's one thing to know the names of your favorite flowers and request them in a bouquet, but would you be able to identify them based on their complicated scientific names? While some flowers have common names that are close to their scientific names, the vast majority do not, which can make it very difficult to match the two. But we're going to ask you to try to do it anyway in this quiz. 

So read our questions and find the scientific names. Look out for the clues we've hidden in there as well and then try to match each of the names to the flowers you grew up learning about. We know for a fact you've heard all about the Dianthus caryophyllus, the  Papaver somniferum and the Gardenia jasminoides. In fact, we're pretty sure you've held them in your hands at one point not even knowing that behind those pretty petals lay some pretty impressive words.  

Do you often go on walks and share with your friends the names of each flower you pass? We hope so! Match these beautiful flowers' scientific names to their common names so we can tell you if you really know your stuff. 


1 Sunflower GettyImages-1015016860
TorriPhoto / Moment / Getty Images
Which flower's scientific name is Helianthus annuus?
Rose
Tulip
Sunflower
Orchid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Helianthus annuus, commonly known as the common sunflower, is a large flower that derived its name from its head's shape, which resembles the sun. It consists of a hairy stem and bright yellow petals that surround a darker-colored flowerhead.

Advertisement

2 daisy GettyImages-475366365
Steffen Göthling / lens-flare.de / Moment / Getty Images
What about Bellis perennis?
Chrysanthemum
Daisy
Gladioli
Apple blossom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bellis perennis, also known as bruisewort and woundwort, is a member of the Asteraceae family. This species of daisy is native to northern, western and central Europe, though it has been naturalized in Australasia and the Americas.

Advertisement

3 babys breath GettyImages-548489465
richgreentea / Moment Open / Getty Images
An ornamental garden plant, what do you think Gypsophila paniculata is?
Peony
Camellia
Iris
Baby's breath
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gypsophila paniculata is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant grown as a popular ornamental garden plant. It is a species of the Caryophyllaceae family and is indigenous to central and eastern Europe.

Advertisement

4 magnolia GettyImages-200341542-001
Diane Macdonald / Photographer's Choice RF / Getty Images
It's known as bull bay and its scientific name is Magnolia grandiflora, but what is its common name?
Dahlia
Magnolia
Lavender
Ranunculus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Magnolia grandiflora, also called southern magnolia or bull bay, is a species of the Magnoliaceae family native to the southeastern United States. It is a large, evergreen tree known for its white, lemon citronella-scented flowers.

Advertisement

5 Gardenia jasminoides GettyImages-55909319
Medioimages/Photodisc / Photodisc / Getty Images
Can you match Gardenia jasminoides to its other name?
Stock
Protea
Freesia
Gardenia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gardenia jasminoides, commonly known as gardenia or jasmine, is an evergreen flowering plants that is native to Asia. A member of the Rubiaceae family, it is easily identified by its glossy green leaves and white, fragrant summer flowers.

Advertisement

6 Daffodil GettyImages-586345978
Carolyn Eaton / Moment / Getty Images
Poisonous when ingested, Narcissus is the genus name for which type of flower?
Daffodil
Statice
Chrysanthemum
Tulip
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The many species of daffodil belong to the Narcissus genus of the Amaryllidaceae family. It is a poisonous plant that, when ingested, results in diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, trembling, salivation and convulsions.

Advertisement

7 Peony GettyImages-956162538
Iliana Mestari / Moment / Getty Images
Extremely popular in Asian cultures, which of these flowers is the Paeonia officinalis?
Gladioli
Apple blossom
Peony
Rose
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Paeonia officinalis, also referred to as garden peony or common peony, is a species of ornamental flowers grown in France, Italy and Switzerland. It is a member of the Paeoniaceae family and was initially cultivated for medicinal purposes.

Advertisement

8 Bird of paradise GettyImages-1006690578
Jacky Parker Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Which flower's scientific name is Strelitzia reginae?
Camellia
Peony
Bird of paradise
Orchid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Strelitzia reginae is an evergreen perennial flowering plant indigenous to South America. It is nicknamed the bird of paradise and the crane flower because of its colorful flowerhead, which consists of three orange sepals and three purplish-blue or white petals.

Advertisement

9 Rhododendron GettyImages-1054210966
Simon McGill / Moment / Getty Images
A flower with very bright petals, what is the Rhododendron ponticum?
Heather
Rhododendron
Iris
Crocus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rhododendron ponticum, native to southwest Asia and southern Europe, is a species of rhododendron nicknamed common rhododendron and pontic rhododendron. It is a dense, small tree with evergreen leaves and small, purple-violet flowers.

Advertisement

10 Sweet Pea GettyImages-1049803406
Pauline Lewis / Moment / Getty Images
This flower comes in a variety of colors but has one common name. What is the Lathyrus odoratus?
Lavender
Tulip
Chrysanthemum
Sweet pea
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lathyrus odoratus, commonly called sweet pea, is a species of flowering plant of the the Fabaceae family. Its flowers come in a variety of colors, though those in the wild are purple and broader and larger.

Advertisement

11 Oleander GettyImages-546436817
Imagebook/Theekshana Kumara / Stockbyte / Getty Images
Can you match Nerium indicum to its common name?
Ranunculus
Peony
Dahlia
Oleander
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Oleander is a toxic, widely cultivated shrub or small tree of the Nerium genus and the toxic Apocynaceae family (also known as the dogbane family). It is known for its sweet-scented clusters of flowers with a white and pink to red coloration.

Advertisement

12 aster GettyImages-942712922
© Debi Dalio / Moment / Getty Images
This ornamental plant's scientific name is Callistephus chinensis. What is its common name?
Freesia
Stock
Camellia
Aster
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Callistephus chinensis, native to China and Korea, belongs to the aster family, Asteraceae. Callistephus is a monotypic genus, meaning it contains only one species, Callistephus chinensis, which is widely cultivated as a cut flower and ornamental plant.

Advertisement

13 lotus GettyImages-911477756
I love Photo and Apple. / Moment / Getty Images
Nelumbium nucifera is said to grow out of the mud onto the surface of the water. Which flower are we talking about?
Lotus
Orchid
Apple blossom
Crocus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nelumbium nucifera is one of two species of aquatic plant of the Nelumbonaceae family. It is known by many names ,including lotus, water lily, sacred lotus, Indian lotus, bean of India and Egyptian bean.

Advertisement

14 water lily GettyImages-1041313772
Joe Regan / Moment / Getty Images
Which flower do you think Nymphaea stellata is?
Protea
Iris
Water lily
Gladioli
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nymphaea stellata is a water lily of the genus Nymphaea and is known by several names, including star lotus, blue lotus, blue star water lily and red and blue water lily. It is the national flower of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Advertisement

15 zinnia GettyImages-606242554
Daniela Duncan / Moment / Getty Images
What is the common name of Zinnia elegans, which is native to Mexico?
Tulip
Rose
Lavender
Zinnia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Native to Mexico, Zinnia elegans is an annual flowering plant commonly referred to as common zinnia, elegant zinnia and youth-and-age. This species comes in a wide range of colors including white, pink, red, purple, green, yellow, orange, salmon and bronze.

Advertisement

16 buttercup GettyImages-89272685
thenakedsnail / Moment / Getty Images
Its nickname is the creeping crowfoot, whereas its scientific name is Ranunculus repens. What is this flower's common name?
Peony
Chrysanthemum
Buttercup
Ranunculus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ranunculus repens, the creeping buttercup, is a herbaceous, stoloniferous perennial plant of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It is known as creeping crowfoot and sitfast and is indigenous to Asia, Europe and northwestern Africa.

Advertisement

17 marigold GettyImages-150471176
lani barbitta / Moment Open / Getty Images
Do you know which flower belongs to the Tagetes genus?
Freesia
Marigold
Camellia
Statice
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Native to North and South America, the Tagetes species includes a variety of marigold species. Marigolds have a variety of uses, from insect repellent to perfume to food coloring.

Advertisement

18 geraniums GettyImages-95613656
Jill Fromer / Photodisc / Getty Images
This particular flower is a hybrid that resulted in the scientific name Pelargonium x hortorum. What is its common name?
Geranium
Apple blossom
Heather
Cherry blossom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pelargonium x hortorum, often called geranium, is a hybrid cross of the scarlet geranium and horse-shoe pelargonium. It is an upright or scrambling shrub known for its small, clustered flowers that vary in color from white to rose to red.

Advertisement

19 Begonia GettyImages-956227526
Elizabeth Fernandez / Moment / Getty Images
Which tropical plant belongs to the Begoniaceae family?
Dahlia
Begonia
Iris
Lavender
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Begoniaceae is a family of flowering plants known by their common name, begonia. Known for their bright, colorful flowers, the family contains two genera and over 1,800 species and is native to tropical and subtropical climates.

Advertisement

20 Lily of the valley GettyImages-AA045213
Akira Kaede / Photodisc / Getty Images
What do you think Convallaria majalis is?
Peony
Tulip
Lily of the valley
Orchid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Convallaria majalis is a sweet-scented woodland flowering plant indigenous to the temperate Northern Hemisphere in Europe and Asia. When ingested, this poisonous plant leads to an irregular and slow pulse, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Advertisement

21 Carnation GettyImages-87497409
Jupiterimages / PHOTOS.com>> / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Clove pink and Dianthus caryophyllus are names this flower goes by. Which option is the third?
Carnation
Rose
Gladioli
Stock
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dianthus caryophyllus, also known as the carnation or clove pink, is a herbaceous perennial plant. It is well known for its sweetly scented flowers, which were initially bright pinkish-purple, but cultivars may be red, white, green and yellow.

Advertisement

22 Dandelion GettyImages-89938133
Martin Ruegner / Photographer's Choice RF / Getty Images
What is the common name of the extremely familiar Taraxacum officinale?
Camellia
Crocus
Cherry blossom
Dandelion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Taraxacum officinale is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant found in the temperate regions of the world. A member of the Asteraceae family, it is known for its yellow flowerheads that turn into silvery, tufted balls called "blowballs" or "clocks."

Advertisement

23 aconite GettyImages-502883721
Josie Elias / Photodisc / Getty Images
Which flower comes to mind when you see Eranthis hyemalis?
Freesia
Chrysanthemum
Aconite
Ranunculus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Eranthis hyemalis, commonly known as winter aconite, is a species of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. This plant is indigenous to the woodlands of Italy, France and the Balkans and is toxic to humans and other mammals.

Advertisement

24 Evening primrose GettyImages-172240836
Whiteway / E+ / Getty Images
Oenothera biennis is this flower's scientific name. Can you tell us its common one?
Dahlia
Iris
Evening primrose
Apple blossom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Oenothera biennis is commonly called evening primrose, sundrop or evening star. This flowering plant's native range spans central and eastern North America, and it is widely cultivated to produce evening primrose oil.

Advertisement

25 Poinsettia GettyImages-859558780
Nora Carol Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Which festive plant has the scientific name Poinsettia pulcherrima?
Peony
Tulip
Poinsettia
Orchid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nicknamed Christmas Star, the poinsettia is a shrub or small tree of the diverse Euphorbiaceae family. This species is popular in Christmas decor thanks to its red and green foliage.

Advertisement

26 Anemone GettyImages-1025715734
kazue tanaka / Moment / Getty Images
A primarily white flowering plant, what's the common name for Anemone hupehensis?
Anemone
Protea
Camellia
Heather
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anemone hupehensis is another member of the Ranunculaceae family. Though endemic to central China, it's also been naturalized in Japan for centuries.

Advertisement

27 bluebell GettyImages-962243218
Mandy Disher Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Which of the options below is also called Hyacinthoides non-scripta?
Cherry blossom
Statice
Bluebell
Chrysanthemum
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hyacinthoides non-scripta, known as the common bluebell or simply bluebell, is a bulbous perennial plant frequently cultivated as a garden plant. It is easily recognized by its violet-blue, trumpet-shaped flowers that droop towards the ground.

Advertisement

28 Cornflower GettyImages-858591574
Lisa Schaetzle / Moment / Getty Images
The Centaurea cyanus is indigenous to Europe. What other name do people know it by?
Cornflower
Rose
Gladioli
Iris
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Centaurea cyanus is an annual flowering plant indigenous to Europe, where it is now endangered due to agricultural intensification. Commonly known as cornflower or bachelor's button, it is noted for its intense blue flowerhead with gray-green branched stems.

Advertisement

29 poppy GettyImages-115871456
Photo by Judepics / Moment / Getty Images
Can you match Papaver somniferum to its common name?
Dahlia
Poppy
Apple blossom
Lavender
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Papaver somniferum, known as poppy, opium poppy and breadseed poppy, is a species of flowering plant. It widely grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and also for poppy seeds and the drug opium.

Advertisement

30 Dianthus superbus GettyImages-939818620
I love Photo and Apple. / Moment / Getty Images
Dianthus superbus can be found on more than one continent. But can you find its common name?
Freesia
Stock
Dianthus
Orchid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dianthus superbus is a species with six subspecies. Native to Europe and northern Asia, it is a herbaceous perennial plant with green to grayish-green leaves and pinkish, sweetly scented flowers.

Advertisement

31 Honeysuckle GettyImages-142195981
charocastro / Moment / Getty Images
Whose name is Lonicera caprifolium, scientifically speaking?
Ranunculus
Camellia
Tulip
Honeysuckle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lonicera caprifolium is a species of perennial flowering plants native to Europe and naturalized in northeastern North America and southeast Britain. It is noted for its sweetly scented, cream-colored flowers tinged with pink.

Advertisement

32 Hibiscus GettyImages-1024406736
Suzanna Ruby / Moment / Getty Images
Which flower has the scientific name Hibiscus rosa-sinensis?
China rose
Peony
Heather
Crocus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is a species of hibiscus known by many names, including China rose, Chinese hibiscus, Hawaiian hibiscus and rose mallow. It is native to East Asia and is a member of the Hibiscus tribe of the Malvaceae family.

Advertisement

33 Snapdragon GettyImages-82088417
Nathan Blaney / Moment / Getty Images
A flower that grows in clusters, what's the common name of the Antirrhinum majus?
Chrysanthemum
Snapdragon
Iris
Protea
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Antirrhinum majus, native to the Mediterranean region, is a species of flowering plants known for its cluster of small flowers growing on a tall spike. The flowers have a pink to purple coloration with yellow lips.

Advertisement

34 Bleeding heart GettyImages-918179420
Jacky Parker Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Dicentra spectabilis is better known by which name?
Rose
Bleeding heart
Gladioli
Apple blossom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dicentra spectabilis is the sole species of the monotypic genus Lamprocapnos within the poppy family, Papaveraceae. This brightpink and white flower is nicknamed the bleeding heart due to its heart shape with a droplet beneath.

Advertisement

35 Flamingo flower GettyImages-591470015
Wagner Campelo / Moment Open / Getty Images
Anthurium andraeanum is also known as laceleaf and tailflower, but what other name does it go by?
Dahlia
Lavender
Orchid
Flamingo flower
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anthurium andraeanum, also called the flamingo flower, laceleaf and tailflower, is a flowering plant native to Ecuador and Colombia. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant because of its bright coloring and unique shape.

Advertisement

36 Foxglove GettyImages-86080830
Sarah M. Golonka / Photodisc / Getty Images
Do you think you can tell us which flower the Digitalis genus includes?
Foxglove
Tulip
Freesia
Statice
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Digitalis genus comprises nearly 20 species, also referred to as foxgloves. Foxgloves are toxic and can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rate, seizures and sometimes death.

Advertisement

37 chamomile GettyImages-854540470
Andrea Ricordi, Italy / Moment / Getty Images
This flower is used a lot in teas and has the scientific name Anthemis nobilis. Which of these is it?
Stock
Chamomile
Peony
Ranunculus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anthemis nobilis, or chamomile, is a low perennial plant grown in Europe, North America and Argentina and is used to make herbal teas, cosmetics and perfumes and to flavor food. It is identified by its daisy-like white and yellow flowers.

Advertisement

38 amaranth GettyImages-961442952
Samitdoc / Moment / Getty Images
This small flower comes from a big family known as Amaranthaceae. What's its common name?
Iris
Amaranth
Apple blossom
Camellia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Amaranthaceae is a family of flowering plants comprised of 165 genera and 2,040 species, all known by the common name amaranth. The flowers are small and may be solitary or clustered together.

Advertisement

39 tansy GettyImages-157506067
AYImages / E+ / Getty Images
Known as cow bitter, golden button and Tanacetum vulgare, which flower is this?
Gladioli
Chrysanthemum
Tansy
Orchid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tanacetum vulgare is a perennial, herbaceous flowering plant known as the common tansy, cow bitter, golden buttons and bitter buttons. It is identified by its stout, reddish stem and small, yellow button-like flowers.

Advertisement

40 cockscomb GettyImages-651432832
©Daniela White Images / Moment / Getty Images
Which popular flower has the scientific name Celosia cristata?
Rose
Dahlia
Tulip
Cockscomb
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Celosia cristata is an ornamental plant commonly called the cockscomb because of the shape of its flowerhead, which resembles a rooster's comb. It is an edible plant and is grown as food in parts of Africa and Asia.

Advertisement

You Got:
/40
Savushkin / E+ / Getty Images