Flowers are some of the most beautiful things in the world. There are approximately four hundred thousand (400,000) types of flowering plant species all around the world. They are of different shapes, sizes, and colours, and each has its own special scent with a unique charm. Some flowers are very common, while others are rare and only grow in certain climates. Many flowers hold symbolic meaning and have significant cultural significance. Flowers are mostly used for decoration and giving gifts, but some flowers have special abilities that can cure disease, so they are also used for medical purposes.
Flowers have been used by humans for centuries. Flowers are given at all types of events, like birthday parties; flowers can be given as a gift; and at weddings, brides always carry a flower bouquet in their hand. People often buy a bouquet on their first date. Gifting flowers to Mother on Mother’s Day is one of the sweetest things to do. It is also important to buy flowers for your wife on your anniversary; otherwise, you have to face the consequences of forgetting the date of your anniversary.
But flowers aren’t only used in good times; they also serve as a way of comfort in times of sorrow. People buy flowers to put them on the graves of their loved ones. Other than that, when a person gets sick and is admitted to a hospital, it is a tradition to bring flowers to the patient to make them feel good. Here, we will explore many different types of flowers that exist in different parts of Australia, along with their characteristics and the importance they hold.
1. Billy Buttons
Billy Buttons is a genus of flowering plants and is known by different names like billy balls, drumsticks, and woolly heads. Other than these two, it also has the scientific name ‘Craspedia’. These flowers are commonly found in Australia and New Zealand. However, there’s another flower named “Pycnosorus, also often called the Billy Buttons. The reason for that is not just because they both look alike but also because there is some evidence that the two might be descended from a common evolutionary ancestor.
These flowers are shaped spherically and have a yellow colour with long stems. This plant grows in moist and well-drained soil, is quite tough, and can tolerate drought and cold. This quality makes it easy to look after these flowers. They look so fun and playful, which makes them one of the attractions in the garden. They can also be used to make bouquets and floral arrangements.
2. Canberra Bells
Also referred to as Christmas bells, Canberra bells are actually the Blandfordia flower. The reason they are called bells is due to the shape of the bell of the flowers and the time of their flowering season. These flowers are native to Australia. They are easy to spot as they only have two colours, red and cream. These flowers play an important role in Canberra’s centenary celebration. Lots of different types of insects, like bees and butterflies, gather around this flower for its nectar.
Small birds even enjoy the nectar of this flower. Canberra bells mostly bloom from late summer through winter, which is why they are also associated with Christmas. They can be a good addition to the gardens, as they are a lot tougher than they look. These flower shrubs can grow about 1 metre and have the ability to tolerate both drought and frost. They can also do well in full sun and shade.
3. Desert Flame
Desert Flame’s complete name is Chrysocephalum apiculatum Desert Flame, and it is popularly known as the Yellow Buttons. This plant can be seen very often, as it lasts for a long time. This flower’s home is in southern Australia, and it is a member of the Asteraceae family. It is a beautiful flower plant with silver foliage and yellow-gold floral clusters. Their stems can spread up to 20–30 inches, and the tips, which have flowers, can rise to 6 inches.
These flowers are gaining popularity with time and are now considered one of the most famous flowers in Australia. Planting this can be a great idea and a valuable addition to your garden, especially if planted in the courtyard or poolside. Desert flames can survive the shortage of water and bloom all year long with very little maintenance required. It can attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators. These plants can be chopped and used for decorations as well.
4. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a genus of over 700 species of flowering plants in the Myrtaceae family. Most of the species of Eucalyptus are trees and are called the mallee. Trees like Corymbia and Angophora are commonly called gum trees. The fruit is a woody capsule commonly known as a “gum nut.” Eucalyptus can be found in every state and territory of Australia. Their leaves have oil glands, which are used to make eucalyptus oil, which is extremely beneficial for humans.
It can relieve a stuffy nose, ease sore muscle and joint pain and post-surgery pain, and promote better oral health. Other than that, the leaves, stems, and flowers of this plant are popularly used in wedding decorations and various floral arrangements. The flowers are very beautiful, even though they do not have petals and instead have pale clusters that are pink in colour, giving the flower a beautiful and swirling look. Adding eucalyptus to your garden or backyard can be a great choice, as they blossom even during the winter.
5. Everlasting Daisy
Everlasting Daisy is a colourful flower that can be found in Western Australia. Scientifically, it is called Xerochrysum bracteatum, but other than this, it has different names, like strawflowers or paper daisies. The everlasting daisy is different from the common daisy, as a normal daisy only has white petals and a yellow middle part. Everlasting daisies come in various colours, like white, yellow, pink, and orange. Daisy is also part of the Asteraceae family.
Although it is hard to imagine that Daisy can be a member of the Billy Buttons family, these flowers are also quite famous for their ability to maintain their colour even after they have been picked and dried. These flowers love sunlight and should be planted in a sunny spot. Their height can be 8 to 31.5 inches (20 to 80 cm), and their stems are covered with fine hairs. In a few cases, multiple flower heads arise from a single stem.
6. Grevillea
Grevillea is popularly known as the spider flower. This plant falls into the category of genus and belongs to the Proteaceae family. There are about 360 species of this plant, such as Grevillea banksii, Grevillea juniperina, Grevillea bipinnatifida, Grevillea capitellata, Grevillea pungens, Grevillea occidentalis, Grevillea australis, Grevillea crithmifolia, and many more. These flowers love the sun and can grow all over Australia. This flower has quite an unusual shape compared to any other flower.
It is shaped like a pink and red coil, and it is one of the flowers that does not have petals. Their spidery appearance is the reason they are named the spider flower. This plant has the ability to multiply and grow very rapidly, so it is also considered a harmful weed. Birds and insects have a real affection for this plant, especially honeyeaters. If a person wants to add something gorgeous to decorate their home, garden, or table, then they can try adding grevillea to it.
7. Kangaroo paws
Kangaroo paw is a member of the family Haemodoraceae and is scientifically named ‘Anigozanthos’. It can be commonly found in the southwestern corner of Western Australia. This plant has rhizome roots, and its flowers are well known to attract birds. This flower is covered with dense hairs and has six claw-like structures that resemble kangaroo forelimbs. Since the structure looks like a paw, it got its name as ‘kangaroo paw’.
This plant comes in various colours, like red, yellow, green, orange, pink, and white. The colour of the flower depends on the type, as there are multiple types of this plant, such as Anigozanthos flavidus, big red, red kangaroo paw bush ballad, amber velvet, Anigozanthos ‘landscape lilac, bush bonanza, bush pearl, and yellow gem. Kangaroo paw flower has an ingredient that is beneficial for skin care as it is high in linoleic acid, which is a key element for having a healthy skin barrier.
8. Lilly Pilly
Lilly pilly is a common flowering plant that can be found in every part of Australia. This plant blooms during the summer and produces fruit like Lilly Pilly berries. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family and is also called ‘Syzygium smithii’. This plant can grow approximately 3 to 5 metres (9.8 to 16.4 feet) tall in the garden. Its bark is rough and woody, with green and creamy waxy leaves and pink berries that are safe to eat. The berries are also known as the Australian cherry.
Before the plant has fruits, a person can see the flower of Lilly Pilly in its full blooming state. Lily pilly is another one of those flowers that does not have petals; instead, it is a feathery flower with a thread-like structure. It resembles dandelion flowers. Lilly Pilly is one of the favourite flowers among Aussies and is considered the most popular choice for Australian gardens. In addition, this flower is rich in vitamin C, which is beneficial for improving skin conditions and can help you look glowing and young.
9. Silver Spurflower
Silver spurflower is also known as ‘Coleus argentatus’ and ‘Plectranthus argentatus’. This flowering plant belongs to the mint family and can be easily found in the border regions of the rainforests of Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. It can grow up to 1 metre (3 feet) tall. It has a pale blue colour with white petals and can have silvery grey leaves. It has hairy leaves that are ovate to broad-ova, are shaped like eggs, and can be 5 to 11 cm long and 3 to 5 cm wide.
This flower can be a good choice for decoration and can be used for the decor in your kitchen. The silver spurflower also has an attractive fragrance, so a person can keep it between the dining table so that everyone can enjoy the sweet smell of this beautiful flower. It is one of the most valuable additions for gardeners to grow. Proper care and fertilisation can help this plant produce even bigger flowers that can last for a long time.
10. Wax Flower
The wax flower is a beautiful flower that is commonly found in southwestern Western Australia. This flower is also known by its scientific name ‘Chamelaucium’ and belongs to the myrtle family Myrtaceae. This plant has flowers that are similar to those of Leptospermum. Wax flowers are especially popular for having large, attractive flowers. It has woody evergreen shrubs that are about 15 centimetres (6 inches) to 3 metres (10 feet).
Its leaves are tiny to medium-sized and contain oily glands. The flowers of this plant can give a pleasant fragrance when crushed, and because of this, it is a favourite flower among bees and insects as it has lots of nectar. Wax flowers are a very famous option to be used in weddings, especially when they are rustic-themed. However, it only blooms from the end of winter until spring.
Conclusion
Flowers are one of the most beautiful things in the world and have been an essential part of our lives. There are so many different types of flowers that it would be impossible to describe every single one of them in one article. Every one of them has unique characteristics and is well-known for its beauty. Flowers have always been a great source of joy in our lives, and some of them can even be used as a type of medicine that can be beneficial for our overall health. Here, we have discussed some of the most popular flowers and told you about their characteristics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Roses are the most popular flower and are also considered the king and queen of all flowers because of their delightful fragrance.
