1. Rose
   Anemone
2. Marigold
   Peony

The Rosaceae family of roses contains more than 100 species. While red roses have long been associated with love, other colors have their own association. These include light pink – grace; peach – modesty; yellow – infidelity; and dark pink – gratitude.

1. Gardenia
   Hydrangea
2. Tulip
   Poinsettia

The Netherlands is currently the world’s largest producer of tulips. The country’s association with tulips began in the 1600s when rare cultivated varieties of tulips from the Netherlands were highly sought after and extremely expensive. This period in European history is now referred to as Tulip Mania or Tulpenwindhandel (Dutch).

1. Dahlia
   Jasmine
2. Camellia
   Daisy

The daisy family of flowers (or Asteraceae) is one of the largest and most widespread around the world. The only other flower which can compare to the daisy, in terms of number of species and distribution, is the orchid family (or Orchidaceae).

1. Apple blossom
   Bird-of-paradise
2. Orchid
   Queen Anne’s lace

Orchids can be found in almost every habitat around the world. Not many people know that vanilla food flavoring is derived from the cured, unripe beans of the vanilla orchid. The three most commonly used species are the Mexican, Tahiti and West Indian vanilla orchids.

1. Daffodil
   Magnolia
2. Lily
   Iris

Golden yellow is the traditional color of the daffodil. Cultivated varieties, however, may have petals and trumpets that are pink, white and orange. The daffodil is native to Europe but can be grown in temperate conditions worldwide.

1. Begonia
   Gerbera
2. Lilac
   Sunflower

The sunflower is well-known for the large size of its flower head. It is not uncommon for some species of the sunflower to grow up to 15 feet tall. Each sunflower head produces as many as 1,000 to 2,000 edible sunflower seeds.

1. Hibiscus
   Lotus
2. Larkspur
   Carnation

In many Asian religions, the lotus is used as a symbol of purity and perfection. Many works of art from the region show a strong association between the lotus flower and deities.

1. Marigold
   Lavender
2. Rose
   Lily of the valley

The marigold belongs to the same family of flowers as the sunflower. Its colors are typically solid yellow, orange, gold or white. Some varieties of both natural and selectively bred marigold can have maroon (brownish-red) highlights in their flowers.

1. Gladiolus
   Chrysanthemum
2. Dandelion
   Poppy

Chrysanthemums are traditionally yellow, as indicated by their name which translates to “gold flower” in Ancient Greek. But the flowers are now commonly found in an array of colors, including red, white and purple (as seen in the image).

1. Lilac
   Gladiolus
2. Camellia
   Iris

Irises are most often blue or purple with a few varieties in pink, orange, yellow or white. The flower shares its name with the Greek rainbow goddess who also served as the messenger of the gods.

1. Magnolia
   Gardenia
2. Peony
   Forget-me-not

Gardenias are well known for their sweetly fragrant white or pale yellow flowers. The leaves are both shiny and leathery while the flowers have a waxy texture. Gardenias can be grown as houseplants but some varieties of its shrub are known to reach between 2 to 12 feet tall.

1. Carnation
   Poppy
2. Lavender
   Cherry blossom

Carnations can often be seen at special events but are particularly associated with Mother’s Day. In many countries around the world, there is a longstanding tradition of giving carnations as a gift on Mother’s Day.

1. Jasmine
   Poinsettia
2. Sunflower
   Mountain laurel

Jasmine flowers are typically white or yellow and carry a very pleasant, unique scent. There is a tradition in China to use newly opened jasmine buds to flavor tea leaves. The process can be done with various types of teas to produce jasmine tea.

1. Snapdragon
   Hibiscus
2. Apple blossom
   Gerbera

Several species of hibiscus grow on the Hawaiian Islands and the flower has been named the state’s official flower. The hibiscus is popular in many parts of the world, so it is no surprise that it also serves as the national flower of both Malaysia and Haiti.

1. Begonia
   Dahlia
2. Daisy
   Hydrangea

Some species of the begonia plant are epiphytic. That means they grow on the surface of another plant but are not parasites and do not normally negatively affect the other plant. Color variations of the begonia flower include bright red, white, yellow and pink – all with a bright yellow center.

1. Orchid
   Queen Anne’s lace
2. Bird-of-paradise
   Anemone

The anemone falls within the buttercup family of plants. The flowers come in a variety of colors, such as red, white, blue and violet. The Greek name for the anemone translates to “windflower” or “daughter of the wind.”

1. Lotus
   Lily of the valley
2. Lilac
   Tulip

Lilacs come in a variety of colors but the most popular one is the one from which the flower gets its name: lilac – a pinkish purple. Other common colors are purple, white and pink.

1. Cherry blossom
   Sweet pea
2. Dandelion
   Daffodil

The cherry blossoms’ association with Japan is well known with one variety in particular being referred to as the Japanese cherry (also known as sakura). Cherry blossoms colors range from almost pure white to deep pink. The trees are grown for ornamental purposes and the fruit they produce is not normally edible.

1. Chrysanthemum
   Larkspur
2. Iris
   Poinsettia

The poinsettia is native to Mexico and named for Joel R. Poinsett, a U.S. diplomat and amateur botanist who served in Mexico. What most people regard as the poinsettia flower are actually specialized leaves (the flowers are in the center and are much smaller). The leaves range in color from red to orange, cream, pink, white and pale green.

1. Dandelion
   Gerbera
2. Anemone
   Rose

Dandelion gets its name from the Latin words for “lion’s tooth,” which refers to the jagged shape of the dandelion’s leaves. While the plant is quite well known, it is generally regarded as a weed. The dandelion plant is, however, completely edible, very nutritious and has several medicinal benefits.

1. Hibiscus
   Forget-me-not
2. Gladiolus
   Bird-of-paradise

The exotic and ornamental bird-of-paradise flower is named after an actual bird which is native to Australia and its surrounding regions. The plant, however, is native to South Africa.

1. Carnation
   Lavender
2. Lily of the valley
   Sweet pea

Apart from being used as an herb in cooking, the lavender plant also has medicinal uses, including easing intestinal discomfort. Lavender yields a highly fragrant essential oil which is popularly used as a scent in perfumes.

1. Mountain laurel
   Snapdragon
2. Lily
   Dahlia

The dahlia is native to higher and cooler elevations in Mexico and the countries of Central America. One particular species of dahlia has been named the national flower of Mexico.

1. Marigold
   Apple blossom
2. Jasmine
   Magnolia

Both Michigan and Arkansas have designated the apple blossom as their official state flower. This is in keeping with the rich history of apple production in both states.

1. Larkspur
   Chrysanthemum
2. Camellia
   Rhododendron

The larkspur is a member of the buttercup family. It is toxic to both humans and cattle but sheep are not affected by it. For this reason, sheep are sometimes used to rid cattle pastures of larkspur plants.

1. Gardenia
   Iris
2. Poppy
   Sunflower

One species of the poppy is famous for being the plant from which opium is derived. Another species, the red poppy, is the national flower of Poland. The red poppy has also long been associated with fundraising efforts for war veterans.

1. Sweet pea
   Begonia
2. Magnolia
   Lotus

Apart from being the state flower of both Louisiana and Mississippi, the magnolia is also the national flower of North Korea.

1. Bird-of-paradise
   Queen Anne’s lace
2. Orchid
   Cherry blossom

Queen Anne’s lace is also known as wild carrot and is the original source from which the cultivated carrot is derived. The plant is mainly grown for the decorative value of its flowers since the actual carrot root is only edible when young.

1. Lily
   Anemone
2. Hydrangea
   Dahlia

There are approximately 100 species of the lily but the water lily is not one of them. The water lily is not a true lily, despite the close resemblance which they bear. The lily flower comes is a wide range of colors and has a very pleasant fragrance.

1. Mountain laurel
   Apple blossom
2. Snapdragon
   Lotus

The closed lip of the snapdragon makes it difficult for some insects to enter. There are some insects, such as strong bees, which are able to force the petals apart and get to the nectar inside. Snapdragons are closely related to toadflaxes (which are also known by the name spurred snapdragons).

1. Daffodil
   Forget-me-not
2. Carnation
   Gerbera

The flower head of the gerbera is usually colored in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink and white. It is also possible for one gerbera flower to have petals of different colors.

1. Tulip
   Jasmine
2. Rose
   Peony

According to Greek mythology, the peony flower gets its name from the physician of the gods or god of medicine, Paiōn. Zeus turned him into a flower to save him from being killed by his teacher, Asclepius, a son of Apollo.

1. Lily
   Cherry blossom
2. Gladiolus
   Daisy

The gladiolus is named for its sword-shaped leaves and is sometimes referred to as the sword lily. Many of the cultivated varieties of the gladiolus were developed from species native to the sub-Saharan regions of Africa.

1. Rhododendron
   Begonia
2. Chrysanthemum
   Hydrangea

The hydrangea is native to the Americas and Asia. While the flowers are often white, the color can vary depending on the quality of the soil. It is not uncommon to find hydrangea is an array of colors, including red, rose, pink, blue and lavender, as well as light and dark purple.

1. Daffodil
   Camellia
2. Rhododendron
   Snapdragon

Thanks to their showy flowers and glossy leaves, many species of the camellia are grown for their decorative value. One species, however, is prized for its great economic value – the Camellia Sinensis, or tea plant. Another species, the Camellia Japonica, is the state flower of Alabama.

1. Lilac
   Orchid
2. Larkspur
   Forget-me-not

Forget-me-nots are most often blue with white, pink and yellow being other possible colors. Traditionally, forget-me-nots are given as a gift so that the receiver will always remember the giver or so that the receiver knows they will never be forgotten by the giver.

1. Lily of the valley
   Gardenia
2. Poppy
   Hibiscus

The lily of the valley is considered to be one of the true lilies. Its nodding bell-shaped white flowers grow in bunches along the stem and are sweetly fragranced.

1. Sunflower
   Dandelion
2. Rhododendron
   Peony

The rhododendron belongs to the same family as heather. The rhododendron flower is eaten in Nepal, as well as used to make flower juice. It has been named Nepal’s national flower.

1. Sweet pea
   Daisy
2. Queen Anne’s lace
   Poinsettia

The sweet pea is a member of the legume family but its seed pods and the seeds they hold are not considered to be edible. Sweet peas are very popular, however, as ornamental flowers and are often used in floral arrangements.

1. Tulip
   Marigold
2. Mountain laurel
   Lavender

The mountain laurel serves as the state flower of both Pennsylvania and Connecticut. It is native to the mountainous areas of eastern North America and is used in Native American medicine.