flower glossary

Flower Glossary - Names & Images of Common Flowers

Posted by Sabrina Cohen on

Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria, commonly known as the lily of the Incas, originates from the cool mountainous regions of the Andes. This striking flower is noted for its uniquely striped petals and comes in various colors, including white, yellow, pink, orange, red, purple, and salmon.


Amaryllis

Amaryllis

Amaryllis, also known as the belladonna lily, is admired for its vibrant funnel-shaped flowers, which usually bloom in white, pink, or purple shades.


Anemone

Anemone

Anemone, often called the windflower, derives its name from the Greek word for “wind.” Native to temperate zones, this delicate bloom features vivid petals that range from white and pink to deep purple. It symbolizes anticipation and is often associated with protection and fading hope.


Baby's Breath (Gypsophila)

Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila)

Gypsophila is a dense, branching plant featuring tiny flowers. Native to Central and Eastern Europe, its delicate blooms are primarily found in white or soft pink shades. It is commonly used as a filler in floral arrangements.


Bells of Ireland

Bells of Ireland

Bells of Ireland, also known as shell flowers, are summer-blooming plants with tall spikes adorned with tiny white flowers encased in vibrant green calyces. Native to Turkey, Syria, and the Caucasus region, these plants proliferate and are highly valued for fresh and dried floral arrangements.


Birds of Paradise

Birds of Paradise

Birds of Paradise, also known as crane flowers, are stunning tropical blooms native to South Africa. They are admired for their unique, bird-like appearance. These flowers bloom from September to May and feature vibrant orange sepals and blue petals. Their modified leaves display shades of green, red, or purplish tones, adding to their visual appeal.


Calla

Calla

Calla lilies are native to the cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, which include parts of Europe, Northern Asia, and North America. These plants are typically found in wetlands, such as ponds and bogs. They have rounded, heart-shaped leaves and produce elegant flowers in various shades, including yellow, orange, pink, rose, lavender, and deep maroon.


Carnation

Carnation

Originally from Eurasia, Carnations are easily identifiable by their serrated petals and branched or forked clusters of flowers. They are popular for their wide range of colors, including shades of pink, red, white, yellow, green, purple, blue, and even striped varieties.


Carnation (Miniature)

Carnation (miniature)

The miniature carnation, closely related to the standard carnation, originates from Eurasia. It features slender green leaves and a compact, rounded cluster of petals.


Chrysanthemum (Mum)

Chrysanthemum (mum)

Chrysanthemums are vibrant flowers that originate from Asia and Northeastern Europe. They begin as a tight cluster of buds above the leaves and, as they open, reveal striking shapes. Chrysanthemums are available in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, purple, pink, and white.


Chrysanthemum Spray (Button)

Chrysanthemum Spray (button)

Commonly known as "Kermit Poms," these unique chrysanthemums display a vibrant green color and are shaped like pom poms. Their rounded blooms make them excellent fillers for bouquets and are often used in sprays.


Chrysanthemum Spray (Cushion)

Chrysanthemum Spray (cushion)

Cushion chrysanthemums are known for beautifully complementing the warm colors of autumn. These flowers have clusters of small petals that gradually increase in size toward the outer edges, giving them a textured look compared to flatter button varieties. They come in various shades, including yellow, white, gold, dusty pink, maroon, and orange, often displaying lovely combinations of these colors.


Chrysanthemum Spray (Daisy)

Chrysanthemum Spray (daisy)

Daisy chrysanthemums are native to Japan and China. They usually have small, dark green, multi-lobed leaves with pointed edges. These flowers come in a wide variety of colors, except for blue.


Daffodil

Daffodil

Daffodils are distinguished by their trumpet-shaped front petals and star-shaped back petals. These flowers originate from the Mediterranean region, particularly the Iberian Peninsula, and can also be found in Northern Africa and the Middle East. While yellow is the most common color for daffodils, they can also appear in shades of white, orange, and pink.


Dahlia

Dahlia

Dahlias come from the mountainous regions of Mexico. They are often recognized as vibrant, spiky relatives of daisies and can vary in size from just an inch to as large as a dinner plate. These flowers are available in various colors, and sometimes their petals blend seamlessly between shades.


Delphinium

Delphinium

Delphiniums thrive in the Northern Hemisphere and certain regions of Africa. These plants are highly prized for their impressive tall flower spikes, which typically display a variety of blue shades.


Foxglove

Foxglove

Foxglove, known for its towering spikes of tubular blossoms, is native to Europe and Western Asia. With hues of purple, pink, and white, each bell-shaped flower is both enchanting and mysterious. While beautiful, it’s also highly toxic, embodying a dual symbolism of healing and insincerity.


Freesia

Freesia

Native to South Africa, freesia is cherished for its sweet fragrance and graceful, funnel-shaped blooms. Found in a spectrum of pastel and bold colors, this flower signifies innocence, trust, and the joy of friendship, making it a popular choice for heartfelt bouquets.


Gardenia

Gardenia

Originating from tropical and subtropical regions, the gardenia enchants with creamy-white petals and an intoxicating scent. Surrounded by glossy green leaves, it symbolizes purity, secret love, and refinement and is often used in romantic or nostalgic arrangements.


Gerbera

Gerbera

Gerbera flowers belong to the same family as sunflowers, daisies, and asters. These vibrant blooms are found in various regions of Africa, Asia, South America, and Madagascar. Known for their bright and cheerful appearance, gerbera flowers resemble sunflowers and come in multiple colors, including yellow, orange, white, pink, and red. 


Hibiscus

Hibiscus

Hibiscus, a tropical bloom with bold petals and a protruding stamen, is native to warm climates across Asia and the Pacific. Available in bright hues like red, yellow, and pink, it symbolizes delicate beauty, fame, and fleeting charm, often associated with summer and island life.


Hydrangea

Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are native to various regions in Southern and Eastern Asia and North and South America. While the individual flowers are relatively small, they bloom in large clusters at the ends of long stems. These plants are valued for their diverse colors, which include white, blue, red, pink, and purple.


Iris

Iris

The iris, which is native to Europe and Asia, has a distinctive fan-like shape made up of six lobes. Its stems can vary in height and may be either solid or hollow. These flowers exhibit various colors, including peach, blue, cream, lavender, orange, pink, purple, red, rose, white, and yellow.


Larkspur

Larkspur

Larkspurs belong to the buttercup family and are native to specific regions in California. Their flowers resemble stock blooms but are distinguished by their unique spiral arrangement. Larkspurs come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, white, and violet.


Lily (Aiatic)

Lily (Aiatic)

The Asiatic lily originates from Eastern Asia and is highly prized for its vibrant colors and impressive size, with blooms reaching up to 6 inches in diameter. These flowers come in shades of red, yellow, orange, purple, pink, and white. It is common for the blossoms to display a mix of colors, often featuring variations at the tips or in the bloom's center.


Lily (Oriental)

Lily (Oriental)

Oriental lilies originate from Asia and are generally taller and larger than Asiatic lilies. Their leaves are broader, spaced farther apart, and display a deeper green color. It is also common for these lilies to have speckles on their petals. They come in various colors: white, yellow, pink, and burgundy.


Lisianthus

Lisianthus

This flower, which is native to the southern regions of the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America, has a long, straight stem and a funnel shape that resembles a rose. It blooms in a variety of colors, including rich purple, white, blue-violet, green, and red.


Marigold

Marigold

The marigold flower symbolizes warmth and creativity with its vibrant orange and yellow hues. In many cultures, it is associated with celebrations but also represents grief and remembrance, particularly during the Day of the Dead, when it honors loved ones who have passed. Their bright colors and rich meanings make marigolds significant in various cultural traditions. Bright orange or yellow flowers symbolize warmth, creativity, and, in some cultures, grief or remembrance.


Narcissus (Daffodil)

Narcissus (Daffodil)

This species is native to Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean region. Its flowers can grow either individually or in clusters. They resemble a trumpet or a cup, with six petals in various shades, including white, yellow, orange, and pink.


Orchid

Orchid

Orchids are native to regions in Asia and Australia. They typically have three petals and three sepals, which are shaped similarly to a manta ray. Due to the vast number of species, orchids come in various colors, including blue, purple, red, pink, white, yellow, orange, and green.


Peony

Peony

Peonies are native to Europe, North America, and Asia, characterized by their delicate, tissue-like petals that fold in the shade and bloom in sunlight. These charming flowers are available in white, pink, rose red, and yellow shades.


Poinsettia

Poinsettia

Commonly known as the Christmas flower, this plant species hails from Mexico. The vibrant bracts, which are often mistaken for the actual flowers, mainly come in shades of red but can also be seen in pink, orange, green, and cream. The true flowers are small and yellow, situated at the tips of the stems and nestled within the bracts.


Poppy

Poppy

With its soft, papery petals and dark center, the poppy grows wild in fields from Europe to Asia. Best known in shades of red, orange, and white, it holds deep meanings of remembrance, peace, and sleep, especially red poppies, which honor fallen soldiers.


Ranunculus

Ranunculus

Ranunculus flowers have an elegant shape that resembles roses. These blossoms are made up of numerous delicate petals, which come in shades such as apricot, pink, red, burgundy, yellow, and cream. Various species of Ranunculus can be found in different regions, and they are native to areas including North America, Europe, Asia, and the Boreal Kingdom.


Rose

Rose

Roses are among the most popular flowers in Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa. These plants typically grow on shrubs and are known for their sharp thorns along the stems. They come in a wide range of sizes and shapes.


Spray Rose

Spray Rose

Rose sprays consist of multiple roses blooming from a single stem, distinguishing them from individual roses. They are typically smaller and have shorter stems than standard roses.


Snapdragon

Snapdragon

The name "snapdragon" is appropriate for this flower because its shape resembles a dragon's face that can "snap" its mouth open and shut. Originating from Europe, the United States, and North Africa, snapdragons are available in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, pink, red, orange, peach, purple, and violet.


Stock

Stock

A native plant from Greece and Albania, it features a rigid stem adorned with delicate, tissue-like flowers. The blossoms come in various colors such as pink, red, rose, purple, lavender, and white.


Sunflower

Sunflower

The sunflower is a plant native to North America, Central America, and South America. It is named for the resemblance of its flower head to the sun, with the petals resembling its rays. While the most common color for sunflowers is yellow, they can also be found in shades of red and white.


Tulip

Tulip

Tulips, originally native to southern Europe and Central Asia, are known for their distinct bulbous shape. Due to their extensive diversity, they exhibit a wide variety of colors.

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AUTHOR

Sabrina is a reputable florist in Miami, recognized for her distinctive floral arrangements. With more than four years of experience, she is committed to sharing her expertise through her blog. The topics she covers include guides for flower gifting, interesting flower facts, wedding floral arrangements, and corporate floral advice.

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