BA - The Club - Travel quiz: Do you know your national flowers?

Mystery flower #1

What’s my country? The golden wattle is actually (whisper it) considered a weed in some parts of the world, but not by the hardy nation that adopted it as its official flower in 1988. A symbol of diversity and resilience, the fluffy yellow puffballs known as Acacia pycnantha have thrived for 35 million years, inspiring its country’s national colours, featuring on medals and postage stamps – and appearing in a Monty Python sketch in 1970. In 1992, 1 September was formally declared National Wattle Day, when proud citizens wear a sprig and greet each other by saying (as might be expected), ‘Happy Wattle Day!’

Mystery flower #2

What’s my country? The dramatic red blooms of the ceibo earned it national flower status in 1942 (it’s also the official city tree of Los Angeles, California, but that’s another story). Erythrina crista-galli, aka the cockspur coral tree, plays a leading role in its country’s folk poetry, tangos and legends. One gruesome tale has it that a young indigenous woman was tied to a tree and burned alive by Spanish conquistadors. When they returned for her body, they found a fiery ceibo in its place. No wonder the flower is a symbol of strength in the face of suffering.

Mystery flower #3

What’s my country? In a land blessed with 47,000 species of plants, the lotus faced some stiff competition to be recognised (albeit unofficially) as the national flower. But few blooms have the mystical cachet of this glorified water lily (Nelumbo nucifera gaertn). A symbol of spirituality, fecundity, knowledge and wealth – the goddess Lakshmi is depicted sitting on a fully blossomed lotus – the flower is called Padma in Sanskrit and has significance because it blossoms in muddy waters and yet remains ‘pure’. And if anyone’s struggled with the lotus position in yoga meditation, they’ll know that the struggle for enlightenment can be painful.

Mystery flower #4

What’s my country? The iris – in its stylised form of the fleur-de-lis – has been associated with this proud nation since its king adopted it as an emblem in the 12th century. But its significance precedes even this. Ancient Egyptians treasured the flower, carving one on the Sphinx at Giza. And in Ancient Greece, Iris was the messenger of the gods, communicating between heaven and earth through a rainbow (‘iris’ in Latin). While its root was used in ancient medicinal remedies (and its juice to remove freckles), most associate the iris with the therapeutic picture of purple loveliness painted by Van Gogh at his asylum in Provence in 1889.

Mystery flower #5

What’s my country? The kōwhai tree, from the Sophora family, produces a voluptuous golden tropical bloom that’s widely regarded as this nation’s national flower. The kōwhai (which means ‘yellow’ in the indigenous tongue) is a real toughy and can grow up to 25 metres in open forests, riverbanks, coastal cliff faces and inland scrubland. Toxic to humans (but not birds) when ingested, its flowers are traditionally used to make yellow dye and treat ringworm, dandruff and seal bites. In fact, so prized is the tree that cutting one down is a big no-no, although gifting one guarantees brownie points.

Mystery flower #6

What’s my country? Lavender is this sunny nation’s unofficial floral emblem, and visitors should pass by Alentejo in the south to enjoy the full effect of fragrant fields languidly draped in violet. The spike variety (Lavandula spica) is a native and is rather coarser, spicier and more aromatic than dainty British favourites. Its name derives from lavare – Latin for ‘to wash’ – as the Romans liked to scent their baths (not to mention their clothes and hair) with it. Part of the mint family, it’s popular with cooks and its powerful oils are a staple of balms and perfumes. It also wards off congestion, mosquitos and evil spirits.

Mystery flower #7

What’s my country? A member of the evening primrose family, this feisty little national flower has found a way to thrive in a country that’s 80 per cent ice. Chamerion latifolium is commonly known in North America as dwarf fireweed or river beauty willowherb, but its local name is niviarsiaq, which means ‘young woman’ and is also a girl’s name. Although growing only 20-30cm, it has plenty of clout, able to adapt to acid and alkaline soils, thrive even among rocks and glaciers and provide nourishment to the First Nation population (it tastes somewhat like spinach and goes well with walrus steaks).

Mystery flower #8

What’s my country? Fossil records show that the chamomile (Matricaria recutita) originated in the west Asian region of this country, which adopted it as its national flower upon its (re)formation in 1998. It looks like a daisy, but it grows higher and smells better. Greek for ‘earth apple’, its flowers have a slight apple taste, which makes them all the more palatable in snooze-inducing teas. A miraculous multitasker, it’s been used as a medical and cosmetic remedy since ancient times. You can also pick off its petals and recite, “Loves me, loves me not”, for a failsafe way of learning whether the object of your affections reciprocates.

Mystery flower #9

What’s my country? This country actually has two national flowers, but we’re focusing on the people’s choice,purple heather (Calluna vulgaris), which was picked by listeners of a popular radio programme in 1976. (The other, bergfrue, was selected by some dry botanists at an international congress in 1935.) Purple heather, known locally as røsslyng, is a sweet-smelling, unassuming little shrub that’s symbolic of this nation’s passion for friluftsliv, which embraces the restorative benefits of hiking in the great outdoors. Sheep like it, too.

Mystery flower #10

What’s my country? A favourite of ancient rulers, the lily (Lilium navona) was adopted early by the Christian church and its snowy petals came to symbolise the purity of the Virgin Mary – in fact, it pretty much cornered the market in Annunciation scenes in Renaissance artworks. This also explains why the chaste white lily is used for the bride’s bouquet in this and other European countries. Of course, white is not the only colour: the orange lily represents confidence, yellow joy, pink femininity and red ardour. It really is a perfect fit for the passionate nation it represents.

Travel quiz: Do you know your national flowers?

Mystery flower #1

Mystery flower #2

Mystery flower #3

Mystery flower #4

Mystery flower #5

Mystery flower #6

Mystery flower #7

Mystery flower #8

Mystery flower #9

Mystery flower #10

Mystery flower #1

Mystery flower #2

Mystery flower #3

Mystery flower #4

Mystery flower #5

Mystery flower #6

Mystery flower #7

Mystery flower #8

Mystery flower #9

Mystery flower #10

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