interesting flower facts

September 7, 2009 | In: Nature Facts

Wild tulips come from the Caucaus montains and throughout Turkey. The ones in Holland are because of the economics of gardening.

The Daisy flowers open at dawn and are visited by many small insects.

The daisy (Bellis Perennis) has a long history of being used as a medicinal herb, but is now much ignored. It is also used in homeopathy, where it is known as the ‘gardener’s friend’ as it is so good at treating bruises and sore backs.

The rose is the official National Floral emblem of the United States.

About 60% of the roses grown in the U.S. are produced in California.

There are more than 15,000 different types of rose species and cultivated varieties worldwide.

Lilies produce large quantities of pollen. To remove pollen from clothes lightly brush off the pollen with a toothbrush; this will prevent staining.

The Underground Orchid lives entirely underground! Unlike other plants, this unique orchid cannot use sunlight to obtain its energy, and instead gets its food from the decaying stumps of another plant, the broom honey myrtle. The orchid attaches to the roots of the broom honey myrtle through a special kind of fungus that is believed to be essential to the orchid’s survival.

The orchid has a sweet smell, and flowers in May and June in Western Australia. They can be difficult to find, since the blossoms never appear above ground, and it is still unknown how the plant’s seeds are spread.

The largest flower in the world is the rare and endangered Rafflesia flower of Indonesia.

Rafflesia flowers can grow up to 3 feet (1 meter) across and weigh 20 lbs (9kg)! Don’t plan on giving one to a valentine, however — the Rafflesia is also one of the worst-smelling flowers in the world! The only ones who seem to like it are the flies, beetles, and other insects who pollinate it.

Rafflesia flowers are also parasitic. Having no roots, leaves, or stems, they gain all of its nourishment from their host plant, the Tetrastigma vine.