National Flowers of Ten Countries Quiz

Answer: Carnation

The Balearic Islands, an autonomous community of Spain, are an archipelago off the eastern coast of that country, located on the western side of the Mediterranean Sea. This country, whose capital is Palma de Mallorca, consists of four major islands and many smaller ones.

The lovely carnation is the national flower of this region, and native to the Mediterranean area as a whole. This perennial plant comes in several different shades and can be grown from cuttings. The carnation is also associated with Mother's Day in the US, Parent's Day in Korea, Women's Day in Poland, Teachers Day, weddings.

It's a symbol of the labour movement and socialism in several countries, of homosexuality (Oscar Wilde liked to wear a green one); it's the first wedding anniversary flower, and it is traditionally worn to examinations at Oxford University.

Answer: Red Poppy

Belgium is a country bordering the coast in western central Europe. With a capital of Brussels, its neighbouring countries are France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The red poppy, also known as the Flanders, corn or field poppy, is Belgium's national flower. Considered a weed by farmers, the red poppy grows wild throughout this country.

These poppies germinate freely wherever soil has been disturbed or turned over in any way. This ability will be forever tragically linked to the carnage of World War I (1914-1918) in that area of the world during its long and deadly battles.

The poppies sprang to life even as soldiers lay dying about them, and have been associated ever since as a token of remembrance for the fallen.

Answer: Plum Blossom

The People's Republic of China is a very large country in eastern Asia, with a population approaching one and a half billion people. With its long and fascinating history, and a capital city of Beijing, China's national flower is the beautiful plum blossom. Though the tree on which it grows is referred to as the Chinese plum, this tree is related more to the apricot.

Its lovely flowers have a strong perfume and come in colours of white, pink and red. As its petals begin to fall, its fruits begin to develop, making the Chinese plum both an object of beauty, and one of mother nature's nurturing and nourishing gifts to the world.

Answer: Lotus

Located in the northeast corner of Africa and the southwest corner of Asia, Egypt is a medium to large country centred around the Nile valley, and encompassing an area of some 400,000 square miles. Bordered by Israel, the Gaza Strip, the Gulf of Aqaba, the Red Sea, Sudan and Libya, Egypt's capital city is Cairo and its national flower is the white lotus. Known as the only plant to flower and produce fruit simultaneously, this water plants floats on the surface of the water surrounded by its rich green lily pads.

A perennial plant, the white lotus can sometimes come with a tinge of pink. The tubers and the rhizomes of the lotus can be consumed by humans, either cooked as they are or ground up into a fine flour. In days of old, Egyptians considered this plant to be a symbol of creation and believed that it gave them strength and power.

They also extracted perfume and certain mind-altering drugs from the flower, while women believed that wearing a lotus symbol protected them during childbirth.

Answer: Iris

Located in western Europe, France is a large country of some 248,000 square miles. With its capital city of Paris, France's national flower is the iris. An iris is a perennial plant which grows from a rhizome or a bulb. This tall and stately flower is much in demand in gardens because of its showy display and bright colours.

When fully in bloom, it looks a little like a beautiful and flowing ball gown. Not just a pretty face though, the iris can be utilised to absorb polluted nutrients. The artist Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) was just as fond of painting irises as he was of painting sunflowers, in ancient days it was looked upon as a messenger sent from Olympus, and, in the language of flowers, it stands for lost love and unspoken sorrow.

Answer: Tulip

The landlocked country of Hungary is in central Europe, surrounded by Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and the Ukraine. With the capital city of Budapest, Hungary's national flower is the tulip. The tulip is a bulbous plant of which there are more than seventy-five different varieties. Springing initially from ancient Persia, the tulip was in such high demand when it reached Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, that each bulb cost hundreds of guilders.

This created an economic bubble that suddenly burst, with rather disastrous consequences. Over time, the symbolism of the tulip has stood for either indulgence, abundance, the brevity of life and the heavenly state of paradise.

Answer: Lavender

With the capital city of Lisbon, Portugal is located on the Iberian Peninsula in south west of Europe. It is the most westerly of the countries on the European mainland and its only neighbour is Spain which lies to its north and east. The beautifully scented lavender is the national floral symbol of Portugal. Possessing almost forty different varieties, lavender is related to the mint family.

It is utilised in some medical fields, for perfumes and essential oils, in cooking, or just for its lovely, sweetly perfumed display.

This is one miraculous plant really, a lovely scented lady possessing a doctorate and superb cooking skills.

Answer: Sunflower

Located in eastern Europe and with a capital city of Kiev, Ukraine is the largest country that is completely within that continent. With the Black Sea to the south, it is bordered by Russia, Slovakia, Belarus, Poland, Hungary, Moldova and Romania. The vivid and showy sunflower is the national bloom of the Ukraine. Native to North America, there are almost seventy different species of this plant.

It can take over a garden if allowed to grow free, but when cultivated commercially, the seeds can be consumed straight from the plant, or cooked, or made into flour.

Its oils are utilised in cooking, in the manufacture of soaps and candles, and in some medical fields. Its petals can be cooked and eaten as well, and its miraculous roots are used in other medical treatments and to absorb radiation from the soil.

They were used to help after the Chernobyl disaster in that regard. Its flowers are used to make dyes, and its stalks can even be utilised to make paper and clothing. A truly miraculous plant indeed is the sunflower.

Answer: Orchid

Located on the north-east coast of the South American continent, Venezuela covers an area of approximately 350,000 square miles, and holds a population of over 33 million people. With a capital city of Caracas, it is bordered by Colombia, Guyana and Brazil.

The highest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls, can be found in this country. Venezuela's national flower is the exotic orchid. Amazingly so, there are over 26,000 different varieties of this plant. That's astonishing, isn't it? Orchids are used for their beautiful displays, in perfumes, in aromatherapy, in cooking, in traditional medicines (particularly so in China), and its pod produces the flavouring vanilla.

Answer: Rose

The United States of America, usually referred to as the USA or the U.S., is a federal republic of fifty states occupying the central and north-west section of the North American continent. Covering an area of 3.8 million square miles, and with a 2015 population of some 321 million people, the capital of this leading world country is Washington D.C.

Its national flower is the lovely rose, a flower whose perfume always evokes sweet memories. There are over one hundred different species of the rose, all coming in different sizes and colours. Roses are used for ornamental purposes, to create perfumes, to make various food products, and in assorted herbal medicines.