Flowers: Varieties, Composition, History, Symbols, Meaning
by Nature has provided us with the beauty of flowers, so that, in our moments of reflection, we feel elated with the thought that life is precious and that, in spite of tension and stress, we could turn to one of Nature’s wonders for inspiration and relaxation.
Types of flowers:
There are thousands of different kinds of flowers, such as water lilies that grow on plants on the surface of water, and mistletoe that are parasites, living on trees. There are families of flowering plants, such as the grass family, the lily family and the iris family. A particular species of iris grows from a rhizome, a type of root, shaped like a long, thin potato, planted in the ground. Some flowering plants are climbers, sending out shoots that climb walls and fences. Some of these are bushes and shrubs.
Composition:
A flower has four, main parts: The calyx is the outside part, in the shape of a cup, usually green, holding the flower together. It is attached to the stem of the plant. Within the calyx are colorful petals, which, when taken together, is called the corolla, surrounding the heart of the flower. The heart of the flower is of a different color from the petals, consisting of a group of tiny stems with heads, sprinkled with a little powder. The tiny hairs are called stamens. The powder is called pollen. The amount of stamens equals the amount of petals. Stamens are in a circle within which is the carpel, a small spike. The ovules or eggs are the seed of the flower, situated at the base of the carpel. The pollen on the stamens must get into the carpel and down to the ovules, facilitated by bees and insects.
History:
The appearance of flowers on the earth began in the Mesozoic Age, a hundred million to two hundred million years ago. These started to grow profusely, with jungles of trees and with huge leaves on them. There were dense forests of deciduous trees, covering the mountainous parts of the earth. Flowers proliferated in enough sunlight and heat, attracting insects that survived mainly because there were plants to feed on. At the same time, flowers endured because insects carried their pollen. Gradually, flowers turned more and more colorful as well as highly-scented, while continuing to attract insets. Their petals started to get thicker, supporting the weight of the insects that settled on the flower, in order to suck its sweet juices.
Symbols:
Man began acknowledging the beauty and splendor of flowers. Poets started to uplift and praise them as a source of their inspiration. Flowers became national emblems and were selected as badges by military conquerors, symbolizing their victories. The rose, known as the “flower of flowers,” became England’s national flower; the thistle became Scotland’s national flower; the shamrock was acknowledged by the Irish. So far, the United States does not have a national flower; however, the goldenrod is widely acknowledged nationally. The states, however, have adopted flowers as emblems. Iowa acknowledges the wild rose; Maine, the pine cone and tassel; Michigan, the apple blossom, Nebraska, the goldenrod; Oregon, the Oregon grape; Vermont, the red clover; Colorado, the columbine; Oklahoma, the mistletoe. The poppy was voted as a favorite by school children in California; in Idaho, the syringa; in Kansas, the sunflower; in Minnesota, the moccasin; in Nevada, the sagebrush; in Washington, the rhododendron; in Georgia, the Cherokee rose; in New york, the wild rose.
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