Springtime Blooms Trivia Quiz

Answer: Lady's slipper

The lady's slipper is the state flower of Minnesota. It can take as long as 16 YEARS to begin to flower!

Answer: Tulip

Tulips are native to Africa, Asia and Europe. They grow wild - close to 75 wild species have been identified! - throughout Mediterranean latitudes from Spain to northwestern China. They require a period of cool temperatures yearly, when they go dormant.

Answer: Cornflower

Cornflowers are native to Europe and often grew wild in cultivated fields, hence their name. Use of pesticides has reduced the incidence of the plant in its native habitat to the point of endangerment; however, it has been introduced to other parts of the world due to its ornamental value, so it is not in immediate danger of extinction.

Answer: Rose

Roses form a large family, with around 100 species occurring naturally, and thousands of cultivars. They come in a variety of forms, from trailing vines to woody shrubs. The largest number of species is native to Asia, but there are also varieties native to Africa, Europe, and North America.

Answer: Jack-in-the-pulpit

Jack-in-the-pulpit is indigenous to wooded and damp areas in the Eastern United States and parts of Eastern Canada. It has a small upright peg-shaped flower ("Jack") around and over which is located a long leafy structure ("the pulpit").

Jacks-in-the-pulpit contain calcium oxalate, a chemical which, if one consumes the plant uncooked, can cause a burning sensation in the mouth and stomach and even potentially interfere with breathing. If properly prepared by drying or cooking, the plant is edible.

Answer: Jasmine

The gathering of jasmine flowers to make perfumes or oils is performed at night because their scent intensifies when it is dark. The flowers are generally white or yellow.

Answer: Dogwood

Dogwoods are native to Asia, Europe and the United States. China, Japan, and the southeastern region of the US in particular are home to a large number of varieties. Dogwood is a very hard wood; its name may be derived from the Old English "dagwood" (hmm, is there a Blondie connection here?), which referred to woods from which daggers could be fashioned.

Answer: Crocus

Saffron is obtained from the crocus flower, and the the name derives from an ancient word for "saffron". Although a number of crocus varieties are spring bloomers-and even a reliable harbinger of the season-the saffron-bearing type (C. sativus) blooms in autumn.

Answer: Cosmos

Most cosmos species are native to Mexico, Central and South America, and the southern US. There are many species, some of which were introduced into central Africa and have thrived, so that cosmos are plentiful in that continent as well. They come in a wide array of colors, but not all cosmos grow to the height of sunflowers. Some varieties reach only a foot in height.

Answer: Pansy

In "Little Women", Beth is overwhelmed by Mr. Laurence's generosity in allowing her to play piano in his sumptuous conservatory, and she works a pair of slippers for him as a thank-you. The slippers bear the likeness of pansies, and Mr. Laurence likes them very much indeed.

Answer: Bluebonnet

Bluebonnets include a number of species, all of which fall into the genus Lupinus, a type of legume. The petal's shape resembles a pioneer woman's bonnet, hence the name.

Answer: Prickly pear

Prickly pear flowers are tissue-paper thin, vibrantly colored blooms most often seen in red, yellow or purple. The fruit and the lobes of the prickly pear are edible.

Answer: Larkspur

Larkspur (Delphinium consolida) is a member of the buttercup family. They grow in spikes of multiple small flowers. In addition to the common blue or purple shades, larkspur can be found in shades of pink, white and red. They contain alkaloid toxins in both their stems and seeds.

Answer: Lily of the valley

While the lily of the valley smells sweet, it can be deadly. All parts of the plant are poisonous, containing toxins that can slow down or even stop a heartbeat.

The flowers have been popular for use in bridal bouquets. Legend has it that the flower originated from the tears of Mary as her son Jesus was crucified.

Answer: Spirea

Spirea bushes are versatile, undemanding plants that grow well in carefully tended gardens or benignly neglected urban curbsides. There are many varieties, flower colors, and bush sizes available, and they grow in a wide range of climates, including very cold environments like the northern plains of the US.

The other three choices listed here tend to be temperamental, with specific soil pH, watering, and temperature requirements.