Flowers have captured human imagination for centuries, even millennia. From the origins of flower arranging in ancient Egypt, to medicinal uses in ancient China and prosperity in Victorian England, flowers have been a huge part of human life. Today we mainly use and cultivate flowers for decorative use, however there is still a lot we don't know about the 250,000 to 400,000 species of flowering plants in the world. Here are 10 of the most interesting flower facts you may not have known...
1) The Titun Arum is the worlds largest flower and stands almost 10 feet in height. It is often referred to as the corpse flower due to its rancid smell of rotten flesh.
2) Breaking the mould, the Moon Flower blooms only at night, whilst closing in the day.
3) In 17th Century Holland, tulip bulbs were more valuable than gold. They symbolised immortality, life and love.
4) The Agave plant stands desolate for many years without growing any flowers, after which it grows one single bloom and dies.
5) As well as being though to fend off evil spirits, Angelica was used in Europe for hundreds of years as a medicinal cure for everything from the bubonic plague to indigestion.
6) The flowers and leaves from dandelions are a great source of vitamin A, C, calcium and potassium.
7) Ancient Egyptians used the lotus flower in burial rituals. Lotus flowers bloom in rivers and damp wetland, but can remain dormant throughout drought, yet rise again with the return of water. Egyptians considered the lotus to be a symbol of of resurrection and eternal life.
8) Roses are related to apples, raspberries, cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, pears and almonds.
9) The thistle is considered Scotland's national flowers as when Vikings invaded Scotland, they were slowed by patches of wild thistle, allowing the locals to escape.
10) Two thousand flowers of rose are needed to produce one gram of rose oil.
Looking to learn even more about flowers? Why not read out blog on the history and meaning of orchids or which flowers are used for which anniversary.
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