Floral Brainteaser Trivia Quiz

Answer: Iris

An iris is a rather showy, colourful flower that gets its name from the Greek word for a rainbow. It grows from a bulb and can come in several colours, although deep blue is the one most associated with this plant. In ancient times, this flower was used in the manufacture of perfume and medicines, but do not attempt to treat yourself in this way today, as the consumption of an iris can cause nausea, vomiting and skin irritations. Though it was used previously to help clean up polluted waters (its roots absorb pollutants) this flower is now considered a weed in many places because its prolific growth rate ends up blocking up waterways. In the language of flowers, an iris, along with a violet, stands for faithfulness, wisdom and hope. They are both the birth flowers for the month of February.

Breakdown of answer: A visual organ is an eye. A synonym for eye is I. A wrist is a lower arm joint. Minus the W and T, this becomes "ris". Together they give us Iris.

Answer: Larkspur

A larkspur is a member of the Ranunculaceae family of plants and bears a striking resemblance to another member, the delphinium. Because the individual flowers of this plant are all grouped together on the one stalk, they run the risk of their real beauty being overlooked until a closer inspection reveals all. Those individual flowers are quite lovely, and look like delicate little violets. Larkspurs also comes with a sweet and delicate perfume, but beware, they can be extremely toxic to humans, particularly so their seeds. This bloom comes in several colours with each having a different meaning in the language of flowers. Pink larkspurs stand for a contrary nature, while the white ones represent a happy one, and for the romantic among us, purple larkspurs represent our first love. This lovely flower is the birth bloom for the month of July.

Breakdown of answer: The sweet singing lark is a member of the passerine group of birds. A spur is the instrument found on the boots of riders sometimes used for controlling a steed. Together they form larkspur.

Answer: Daffodil

A daffodil is a perennial bulb plant also known as a narcissus. It can come with either white or yellow blossoms, but we usually associate this lovely bloom with yellow. Wordsworth certainly did with his famous poem dedicated to same. Daffodils, for the glory of mankind, grow wild, but have been cultivated for centuries as well. Interestingly, this plant can produce galantamine, which is a compound being used in the treatment of the tragic illness, Alzheimer's dementia. Daffodils are the birth flower for March, and represent rebirth, happiness in the home, respect and friendship. They are also the national flower of Wales.

Breakdown of answer: If you're hard of hearing you're frequently described as being deaf - which sounds like "daff". O is the 15th letter of the English alphabet. And dill is a herb that is a member of the celery family. With its "L" left off, it becomes "dil". Altogether then, this forms daffodil.

Answer: Sweet Pea

Sweet peas, along with daisies, are the birth flower for the month of April. They represent love, innocence and youth. Native to Sicily, Italy and the Aegean Islands, sweet peas are beautifully perfumed delicate climbing flowers that produce their blooms in many exquisite pastel shades. They have been cultivated by man since the 17th century. Though some species of this flower are grown for human consumption (how could they!), other species are toxic, so please don't attempt to consume any. You're safer that way.

Breakdown of answer: If anything is sugary tasting, it is usually described as sweet. A pea is a round hard vegetable in its uncooked state and is softened for consumption by boiling. Some people actually stir both sugar and butter in peas before serving up on plates to give them a different flavour. Together, this gives us a sweet pea.

Answer: Rose

What can one say about roses that hasn't been said a million times before in poems, literature, greeting cards and everyday conversation everywhere. These truly breathtaking flowers are the birth bloom for June, and, because they come in such a wide range of colours, each of those shades has a different meaning. Red is love, for example, white stands for innocence, and yellow represents friendship. There are thousands of different hybrids of this beautiful flower. Roses also have very many uses apart from the sheer appreciation of gazing at them. They are utilised in the manufacture of perfumes and cosmetics; soups; jellies and jam; tea; syrups; lollies; herbal and folk and Chinese medicines in any number of different ways; and have even been investigated by less romantic scientists as a possible treatment for cancer. They truly delight the heart. Have you ever seen a rose early in the mornings when it is still covered in the night's gentle dewdrops? There is no lovelier sight in the world.

Breakdown of answer: If you have stood up from a seated position, you have risen or "rose" to your feet, which is the answer to this question.

Answer: Carnation

Carnations, along with snowdrops, are the birth flowers for January. They represent love and fascination. The carnation is also the national flower of Spain and, when dyed green, is worn during St Patrick's day in the Land of the Leprechauns. It is a flower that is native to the Mediterranean area of the world, comes in exquisite colours and has a faintly alluring scent that doesn't overpower the senses. The pink carnation is said to have sprung into being from the tears of the Mother of Jesus as they fell down to the ground during the crucifixion of her Son. For some odd reason, red carnations have become associated with the socialist movements of many countries, but as to the origin of that floral connection, this is unknown. There's nothing remotely communist about these lovely flowers - unless of course it's because they're loved equally by all who see them.

Breakdown of answer: A car is a motor vehicle. A country is a nation. Together the two words form carnation.

Answer: Aster

An aster, along with a forget-me-not is the birth month flower for September. They both represent daintiness, remembrance, and deep love. There are almost 180 different species of asters, with the vast majority springing from the European continent. Aster is an ancient Greek word for star, and this little flower was given that name because of its star-like shape. Sadly though, this plant has become associated with war. During the Hungarian revolution of 1918, rebels and protesters in that country each wore an aster as a symbol of their solidarity. As a result of that struggle, it is now known by many people as the "Aster Revolution".

Breakdown of answer: A synonym for a donkey is an ass. Minus an "S", this becomes "as". Stir is a verb associated with cooking - and "ster" is a sound similar to that. Together they form aster.

Answer: Marigold

Marigolds, which represent warmth, elegance and devotion, are the birth flower for the month of October. This showy, vividly coloured flower is native to Nepal, and both American continents, which is rather interesting when one considers the distance between those places. Rather sadly though, because marigolds have spread around the world, are such prolific growers, and also possess an ability to withstand drought, some areas have now classed them as an invasive weed. How insulting. Marigolds make good companion plants for several vegetables because they are known for their ability to deter garden pests, and their oils and colour extracts are used in several countries in the manufacture of perfumes, assorted food products and tobacco.

Breakdown of answer: Mary is the Mother of Jesus - and that sounds like "Mari". Gold is a precious metal. Together they form the name of the brightly coloured marigold.

Answer: Lily of the Valley

Lily of the valley is the birth month flower for May and represents chastity, sweetness and the return of happiness. Unfortunately this lovely, highly perfumed flower, native to the cooler areas of the world, is also deadly poisonous if consumed, so be careful with it. Oh, but it really is so very lovely. One legend associated with this bloom is that it sprang from the ground where Eve's tears had fallen after her expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Another Christian legend is that the lily of the valley is a symbol of Christ's second coming, hence its association with the return of happiness.

Breakdown of answer: Herman Munster's wife name is Lily. An elongated area of land between two hills is a valley. Lily comes from a valley. She thus becomes Lily of the valley, and the name of this delicate and lovely flower.

Answer: Holly

Hollies, along with poinsettias, are the birth month flowers for December. The holly represents vanity and self-esteem, but also sweetness. A bit of a personality conflict going on there it seems. There are almost 600 different species of this evergreen plant throughout the world. For many years now, this prickly bloom, that only produces tiny delicate white flowers before the appearance of its red berries, has been associated with Christmas and that happy time of the year. Watch out for those berries though as they're slightly toxic to children, pets and livestock. Holly can grow in most seasons and areas of the world, but it prefers warmer climates to really flourish. One of this bloom's gifts to us is that it not only provides food for our beautiful birds, but also shelter and protection from predators. Those leaves really are sharp, you see, and they, and the resemblance of the plant's red berries to drops of blood, have also become associated with the crown of thorns placed on the head of Jesus during his crucifixion.

Breakdown of answer: Holy is a synonym for religious, and with an extra L added to this word, it becomes your answer - holly.