An Australian Government Initiative [logo]
Floral Emblems of Australia
ANBG logo

Floral Emblems of the World

Supplied to the Australian National Botanic Gardens by Reuben C. J. LIM following on from his thesis, titled "Official National Biological Emblems of the World",
a final year 2012 undergraduate study for the Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, working under the supervision of
Associate Professor Hugh T. W. Tan and Dr. Tan Heok Hui.

The results of this two-year project from 2011 to 2013 can be freely obtained as a PDF at Raffles Museum Books under:

Lim, R. C. J., H. H. Tan & H. T. W. Tan, 2013. Official Biological Emblems of the World. Raffles Museum Of Biodiversity Research, National University Singapore, Singapore. 231 pp. Uploaded 7 August 2013. [http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/raffles_museum_pub/bioemblems_world.pdf, 40.8 MB]

Country

Designation

Declared Name

Date Declared

Scientific Name

Family

Links (as at 2012)

Antigua and Barbuda National Flower Agave karatto Miller
(The Dagger Log's) 
NC Agave karatto Mill. Asparagaceae

http://ab.gov.ag/gov_v4/article_details.php?id=179&category=66

Argentina National Flower and Tree Erythrina crista-galli
(Kapok flower, “seibo”, “Seiber”, “Bucaro”)
23 Dec 1942 Erythrina crista-galli L. Leguminosae

http://www.atcm2011.gov.ar/en/node/35

Australia National Flower Acacia pycnantha
(Golden Wattle)
1 Sep 1988 Acacia pycnantha Benth. Leguminosae (Mimosaceae)

http://www.anbg.gov.au/emblems/aust.emblem.html

Bahamas National Flower Tecoma stans
(The Yellow Elder)
1973-1974 Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth Bignoniaceae

http://www.bahamas.gov.bs

Bangladesh National Flower Nymphaea nouchali
(Shapla, Water Lily)
4 Nov 1972 Nymphaea nouchali Burm.f. Nymphaeaceae

http://web.archive.org/web/20080330213029/http://www.pmo.gov.bd/constitution/part1.htm

Barbados National Flower Poinciana pulcherrima LINNAEUS syn. Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L) SWARTZ
(Pride of Barbados, Dwarf Poinciana, Flower Fence)
NC Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw. Leguminosae

http://www.foreign.gov.bb/pageselect.cfm?page=25

Belize National Flower Encyclia cochleatum
(Black Orchid)
before Aug 1981 Prosthechea cochleata (L.) W.E.Higgins Orchidaceae

http://www.belize.gov.bz/ct.asp?xItem=670&ctNode=543&mp=27

Bhutan National Flower Meconopsis grandis
(Udpel Metok, Blue poppy)
2008 as year changed horridula to grandis Meconopsis grandis Prain Papaveraceae

http://www.moa.gov.bt/moa/downloads/downloadFiles/MoADownload4zb2682wt.pdf

Bolivia National Flower Cantua buxifolia
(Kantuta)
1 Jan 1924 Cantua buxifolia Juss. ex Lam. Polemoniaceae

http://www.embajadadebolivia.com.ar/bolivia_nueva/simpatrios.html

Bolivia National Flower Heliconia rostrata
(Patuju)
27 Apr 1990 Heliconia rostrata Ruiz & Pav.  Heliconiaceae

http://www.embajadadebolivia.com.ar/bolivia_nueva/simpatrios.html

Cambodia National Flower Mitrella mesnyi 
(Rumdul)
21 Mar 2005 Sphaerocoryne affinis (Teijsm. & Binn.) Ridl. Annonaceae

http://www.forestry.gov.kh/Documents/ROYAL-DECREE-ENG.pdf

Chile National Flower  Lapageria rosea
(Copihue)
24 Feb 1977 Lapageria rosea Ruiz & Pav. Philesiaceae

 

Colombia National Flower Cattleya trianae
(La Orquídea, The Orchid),
1936 Cattleya trianae Linden & Rchb.f. Orchidaceae

http://www.presidencia.gov.co/prensa_new/historia/patrios.htm

Comoros National Flower Cananga odorata
(ylang ylang)
NC Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson Annonaceae

 

Costa Rica National Flower Guarianthe skinneri
(The Purple Orchid)
15 Jun 1939 Guarianthe skinneri (Bateman) Dressler & W.E.Higgins Orchidaceae

http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/informacion.asp

Croatia National Flower Iris croatica Horvat et. Horvat M.
(Croatian Iris)
2002 Iris croatica Horvat et. Horvat M.  Iridaceae

 

Cuba National Flower Hedychium  coronarium
(La Mariposa Blanca, The White Butterfly, White Mariposa, Butterfly Jasmine)
13 Oct 1936 Hedychium coronarium J.König  Zingiberaceae

http://www.cubatoptravel.com/en/info/cuba-national-symbols.php

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea National Flower Magnolia sieboldii
(Mokran)
NC Magnolia sieboldii K.Koch Magnoliaceae

 

Dominica National Flower Sabinea carinalis
(Carib Wood, ‘Bwa Kwaib’)
31 Oct 1978 Poitea carinalis (Griseb.) Lavin  Leguminosae

http://www.dominica.gov.dm/cms/?q=node/84

Dominican Republic National Flower Pereskia quisqueyana, Alain
(Rosa de Bayahibe)
12 Jul 2011 Pereskia quisqueyana Alain  Cactaceae

 

Ecuador National Flower Chuquiraga jussieui
(Chuquirahua)
NC Chuquiraga jussieui J.F.Gmel. Compositae

 

El Salvador National Flower Yucca filifera
(Flor de Izote)
21 Dec 1995 Yucca filifera Chabaud Asparagaceae

https://sites.google.com/site/svenespanol/flor-nacional-de-el-salvador

Fiji National Flower Medinilla waterhousei
(Tagimaucia)
NC Medinilla waterhousei Seem. Melastomataceae

 

Finland National Flower Convallaria majalis
(Lily of the valley)
1967 Convallaria majalis L. Asparagaceae

 

Greece National Flower Laurus nobillis
(Laurel branch)
NC Laurus nobilis L. Lauraceae

 

Grenada National Flower Bougainvillea glabra, Bougainvillea spectabilis
(bougainvillea)
NC Bougainvillea glabra Choisy, Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd Nyctaginaceae

http://www.gov.gd/our_nation/bougainvillaea_flower.html

Guatemala National Flower Lycaste skinnery var. alba
(Monja Blanca)
11 Feb 1934 Lycaste skinneri Lindl. Orchidaceae

http://www.banguat.gob.gt/en/currency%20and%20bills/monetaryLaw.pdf

Guyana National Flower Victoria amazonica
(Victoria Regia)
Coat of arms: 25 Feb 19661966 Victoria amazonica (Poepp.) J.C. Sowerby Nymphaeaceae

http://www.guyana.org/Handbook/symbols.html

Honduras National Flower Brassavola digbiana
(Orchid)
12 Jan 1946 Rhyncholaelia digbyana (Lindl.) Schltr. Orchidaceae

http://www.honduras.com/official/

Iceland National Flower Dryas octopetala
(Holtasóley, Mountain Aven)
2 Jun 2006 Dryas octopetala L. Rosaceae

https://www.postur.is/myndir/pdf/utgafa1_06_en.pdf

India National Flower Nelumbo nucifera
Gaertn (Lotus)
26 Jan 1950 Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Nelumbonaceae

http://india.gov.in/knowindia/national_symbols.php/national_symbols.php?id=4

Indonesia National Flower  Jasminum sambac
(Jasmine, Melati)
5 Jun 1990 Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait. Oleaceae

http://bk.menlh.go.id/florafauna/home.htm

Indonesia Enchanting National Flower Phalaenopsis amabilis
(Moon Orchid, Anggrek Bulan)
NC Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.) Blume Orchidaceae

http://bk.menlh.go.id/florafauna/home.htm

Indonesia Rare National Flower Rafflesia arnoldii
(Giant Lotus, Giant Rafflesia, Padma Raksasa)
NC Rafflesia arnoldii R.Br. Rafflesiaceae

http://bk.menlh.go.id/florafauna/home.htm

Jamaica National Flower Guaiacum officinale
(Lignum vitae)
28 Mar 1962 Guaiacum officinale L. Zygophyllaceae

http://www.jis.gov.jm/special_sections/This%20Is%20Jamaica/symbols.html

Jordan National Flower Iris nigricans
(Black Iris)
NC Iris nigricans Dinsm. Iridaceae

http://www.kinghussein.gov.jo/geo_env2.html

Kuwait National Flower Rhanterium epapposum
(arfaj)
1983 Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. Compositae

 

Lao People’s Democratic Republic National Flower Genus Plumeria
(Dok Champa, Frangipani)
NC Genus Plumeria L. Apocynaceae

http://www.mofapresscenter.gov.la/view.php?viewFile=./docs/Lao%20National%20Flower%20.html

Latvia National Flower Leucanthemum vulgare
(Pipene, Daisy, Margrietiņa) 
NC Leucanthemum vulgare (Vaill.) Lam. Compositae

http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/latvia/about/symbols/Flower/

Malaysia National Flower Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
(Bunga Raya, Hibiscus)
28 Jul 1960 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. Malvaceae

http://www.treesforlife.gov.my/bgraya_malaysia.php?lang=en&f=5

Maldives National Flower Rose polyantha
(Pink Rose, Finifenmaa)
25 Jul 1985 Main Modern Rose Class, Group Polyantha Rosaceae

http://www.un.int/maldives/emble.htm

Mauritius National Flower Trochetia boutoniana
(Boucle d'Oreille) 
12 Mar 1992 Trochetia boutoniana Friedmann Malvaceae

http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/abtmtius?content_id=7c690d31693c8010VgnVCM100000ca6a12acRCRD

Mexico National Flower Genus Dahlia
(Acocoxóchitl, Acocotli, Xicamiti, Cohuanenepilii, Hichipoztle Flower)
1963 Genus Dahlia Cav. Compositae

http://www.revista.unam.mx/vol.7/num11/art90/nov_art90.pdf

Myanmar National Flower Pterocarpus macrocarpus
(Padauk)
18 Dec 2008 Pterocarpus macrocarpus Kurz Leguminosae

 

Myanmar National Flower Bulbophyllum auricomum
(tha zin pan)
18 Dec 2008 Bulbophyllum auricomum Lindl. Orchidaceae

 

Myanmar National Flower Shorea siamensis
(inn gin pan)
18 Dec 2008 Pentacme siamensis (Miq.) Kurz. Dipterocarpaceae

 

Nepal National Flower Rhododendron arboreum
(Laali Guraansh)
NC Rhododendron arboreum Sm.  Ericaceae

 

Nicaragua National Flower Plumeria rubra f. acutefolia
(Sacuanjoche)
17 Aug 1971 Plumeria rubra L. Apocynaceae

http://www.mined.gob.ni/emblemas1.php

Nigeria National Flower Costus spectabilis 1 Oct 1960 Costus spectabilis (Fenzl) K.Schum. Costaceae

http://nigeriaat50.gov.ng/national-symbols/national-flower/

Pakistan National Flower Genus Jasminum
(Jasmine)
NC Genus Jasminum L. Oleaceae

http://www.infopak.gov.pk/BasicFacts.aspx

Panama National Flower Peristeria elata
(Flor del Espiritu Santo, Holy Spirit Orchid)
21 Oct 1980 Peristeria elata Hook. Orchidaceae

http://www.binal.ac.pa/buscar/referencia/florpanama.htm

Peru National Flower Cantua buxifolia
(Cantuta)
NC Cantua buxifolia Juss. ex Lam. Polemoniaceae

 

Philippines National Flower Jasminum sambac
(Sampaguita, Arabian Jasmine)
1 Feb 1934 Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait. Oleaceae

http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/phil-fast-facts/culture-profile-sampaguita.php

Republic of Korea National Flower Hibiscus syriacus
(Mugunghwa, Rose of Sharon)
NC Hibiscus syriacus L. Malvaceae

 

Saint Kitts and Nevis National Flower Delonix regia
(Poinciana, Flamboyant)
Sep 1983 Delonix regia (Hook.) Raf. Leguminosae

http://www.gov.kn/ct.asp?xItem=303&ctNode=59&mp=1

Saint Lucia National Flower Rose Sep 1985 Possibly Genus Rosa L. Rosaceae

http://www.stlucia.gov.lc/saint_lucia/the_national_flowers.htm

Saint Lucia National Flower Marguerite Sep 1985 Possibly Gomphrena globosa L. Amaranthaceae

http://www.stlucia.gov.lc/saint_lucia/the_national_flowers.htm

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines National Flower Spachea perforata
(Soufriere Tree )
NC Spachea elegans (G. Mey.) Adr. Juss.   Malpighiaceae

http://www.gov.vc/tourism/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41&Itemid=28

Samoa National Flower Alpinia purpurata
(Teuila)
NC Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) K.Schum.  Zingiberaceae

 

Seychelles National Flower Angraecum eburneum
(Payanke, Tropic Bird Orchid)
NC Angraecum eburneum Bory Orchidaceae

http://www.virtualseychelles.sc/index.php/component/content/article/51-additions/259-lets-visit-cousin-island

Singapore National Flower Vanda 'Miss Joaquim' 15 Apr 1981 Vanda Miss Joaquim Orchidaceae

http://stars.nhb.gov.sg/stars/public/viewDocx.jsp?stid=21464&lochref=viewPDF-body.jsp?pdfno=SD19810415_1.pdf&keyword=national

South Africa National Flower Protea cynaroides
(Giant or king protea)
1975 Protea cynaroides (L.) L.  Proteaceae

http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/symbols/flower.htm

Sri Lanka National Flower Nymphaea nouchali
(Nil Mahanel flower, Water Lily)
26 Feb 1986 Nymphaea nouchali Burm.f. Nymphaeaceae

http://www.srilankaembassy.org/en/sri-lanka/national-symbols/

Suriname National Flower Fajalobi NC Possibly Ixora coccinea L. (Fajalobbie) Rubiaceae

http://www.surinameembassy.org/welcome.shtml

Taiwan National Flower Prunus mume
(Plum Blossom)
21 Jul 1964 Armeniaca mume Siebold Rosaceae

http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/5-gp/yearbook/0NationalSymbols.pdf

Thailand National Flower Cassia fistula
(Ratchaphruek, Khun)
26 Oct 2001 Cassia fistula L. Leguminosae

http://thailand.prd.go.th/ebook/inbrief/page.php?cid=4

Trinidad and Tobago National Flower Warszewiczia coccinea
(Chaconia, Wild Poinsetta, Pride of Trinidad and Tobago)
1962 Warszewiczia coccinea (Vahl) Klotzsch Rubiaceae

http://www.foreign.gov.tt/about_trinidad/national_flower/

United States National Flower Genus Rosa 26 Nov 1986 Possibly Genus Rosa L. Rosaceae

http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/usinfo_floral.html

Venezuela National Flower Cattleya mossiae
(Orchid, Flor de Mayo)
23 May 1951 Cattleya mossiae C.Parker ex Hook. Orchidaceae

http://www.saime.gob.ve/simb_patrios/Identidad.php

Yemen National Flower Aloe irafensis 2008 Aloe irafensis Lavranos, T.A.McCoy & Al-Gifri Asparagaceae

 

Zimbabwe National Flower Gloriosa superba
(Flame Lily, Amakukhulume, Kajongwe)
1960 as Rhodesia Gloriosa superba L. Colchicaceae

http://www.zim.gov.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=127&Itemid=185

 


Written by Reuben C. J. LIM :: Department of Biological Sciences :: Faculty of Science :: National University of Singapore, Singapore.   Source: email 29 June 2013


 

^ top