Can You Identify These Popular Flower Types From an Image?

Beth Hendricks

Which of these blooms that serves as Tennessee's state flower sounds like a part of the eye?

The iris is where you'll notice an individual's eye color, and the plant version of the iris is similarly colorful, appearing in shades of purple, blue, white, yellow, red and more. The iris is a hardy spring flower.

Which of these trumpet-shaped flowers symbolize friendship?

The brilliant daffodil comes from the narcissus family, and although it's most common in bright yellow, it may also appear in white. This flower represents friendship or chivalry.

According to William Shakespeare, which of these "by any other name would smell as sweet?"

Shakespeare's quote about the rose is one of the more memorable lines from his play "Romeo and Juliet." Roses today are one of the most popular for gifting for Valentine's Day and anniversaries.

Which of these flowers, which comes in a multitude of colors, is known as "the flowers of god"?

The scientific name for the carnation is "dianthus," a combination of Greek words "dios," which references Zeus, and "anthos," which means "flower." Carnations come in many colors, each with its own special meaning.

Which of these blooms is well-known for its behavior of heliotropism?

The sunflower is appropriately named for sure! Its behavior of heliotropism means that it turns its face toward the sun, which allows it to make the best use of sunlight for its growth.

Spring has sprung! Which of these blooms is one of the first signs that the weather is starting to warm?

The hyacinth, native to the Mediterranean, is one of the first flowers to bloom when springtime is upon us. Typically planted in the fall, it's a nice sight to see when they pop out of the ground in March or April.

Despite being named for a Swedish botanist, which of these flowers actually originated in Mexico?

Named for the Swedish botanist Anders Dahl, the dahlia was first discovered in the mountains of Mexico. The official flower of Seattle, these blooms are best suited to a temperate climate.

With 2,000 different species, which of these flowers is most commonly found near bodies of water?

Buttercups, with the scientific name "ranunculus," are mostly found near bodies of water. The word "ranunculus" is Latin for "little frog." Since frogs are also found near water, the flower's name is a perfect fit.

Which of these large blooms that represents purity shares its name with a woman's name?

The lily, which symbolizes purity and beauty, is a large, fragrant flower that shares its name with the female name "Lily." The lily family contains more than a hundred different species.

These flowers are known for their beautiful fragrance and delicate nature. What are they?

Gardenias are both beautifully fragrant as well as incredibly delicate. They are noticeable for their white blooms and dark leaves and prefer tropical climates. They are found growing in the wild in places like Africa and Hawaii.

In the Middle Ages, this flower was used to treat a variety of illnesses and ailments. What is it?

Historically, the orchid was used to treat illnesses due to its various antibacterial properties. The orchid was also believed to be an aphrodisiac of sorts, making it a common addition to love potions of the day as well.

It's all about pH! Which of these large flowering blooms can change colors all on its own?

Impacted by the pH levels in the soil, the hydrangea is one of a unique class of flowers that can change colors automatically thanks to its environment. The colors tend to shift between pink, purple and blue.

Which of these flowers that closes at night is made up of disk petals and ray petals?

The daisy, which might have been initially "day's eye," is so named for its petals that close at night and re-open during the day. Daisies' disk petals are the ones in the center, while the ray petals are the ones that surround the center.

Which of these has been used as a substitute for onions in various recipes and is Holland's most popular flower?

The bulbs of the tulip plant were used historically during periods of famine, being fairly similar to onions. They have also made a suitable replacement in some recipes. The flowering part of the tulip is cup-shaped and can come in a variety of colors.

Which of these flowers has its own day of celebration in December and is traditionally associated with Christmas?

The poinsettia is a top seller in the United States; according to some sources, it outsells all other potted plants combined! It's associated with Christmas and the holiday season and has December 12th named "National Poinsettia Day."

If you want to enjoy this flower frequently associated with fall, you need to plant in the spring. Which bloom is it?

The chrysanthemum, more commonly known as just "mums," is frequently associated with pumpkins and fall. Most growers, however, would tell you that the right time to plant them is in the spring, for the next fall.

They don't bite! Which of these flowering blooms is so-named for its beastly-shaped head?

The snapdragon's unique appearance has led to it having many names, including "rabbit's lips" and "lion's lips." Those names, along with its "snapdragon" designation, reference the flower's mouth-shaped bloom.

If you don't have much of a green thumb, this low-maintenance bloom that can live a long time might be your best bet. What is it?

Despite its delicate-sounding name, the peony is a relatively robust plant that requires little maintenance and can bloom year after year once planted. They're resistant to drought-like conditions and are the floral symbol of China.

Which of these is considered February's flower, also a perfect color match for February's birthstone?

Aptly named for its purple hue, the violet is a perfect accompaniment to February and its purple-tinted birthstone, the amethyst. Violets are a small flower, and some people even consider them to be a weed.

These blooms don't stick around long, but their fragrance alone is well worth the wait. Which flower are we talking about?

The lilac is a beautifully aromatic flower, but its life is short-lived. They bloom for only a few weeks in the spring, but their sizable bush will stay with you much longer. You'll have to wait a while for them to bloom again, however.

Which of these blooms actually thrives in muddy water and blooms above the surface?

The lotus is unique in that it performs best in muddy water, with its bloom emerging above the surface. This flower is a sacred element in religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism.

It may be the Bluegrass State, but this state flower of Kentucky is yellow in color. What is it?

The goldenrod is a tall plant that replaced bluegrass as the official flower of Kentucky in the 1920s. Goldenrod blooms in bright yellow and the Solidago Gigantea species can grow to be eight feet tall.

Which of these climbing flowers can grow to be as tall as former NBA star Kobe Bryant?

When you think of a climbing plant, look no further than the sweet pea which can grow to reach Kobe Bryant height (that's 6'6") in just one season of planting. The sweet pea offers a delicate, fragrant bloom.

Which of these flowers has Biblical significance, believed to represent the tears Mary cried at Jesus' cross?

The Lily of the Valley was believed to have sprung up from the tears Mary cried at Jesus' cross, earning is the name "Our Lady's Tears." Today, these bell-shaped flowers bear dozens of blooms but have only a week-long life cycle.

At one time, this flower was a weed that grew in crop fields, and the flowering part of this bloom is edible. Which flower is it?

The cornflower earned its name for natural appearing in crop fields (not limited to just corn). Its edible leaves are said to taste a lot like cucumbers, and it is sometimes referred to as "bachelor's button," stemming from a time when men would wear a flower in their suit's buttonhole.

Patience is a virtue when dealing with this bloom. Which of these, once planted, may take up to a decade to start flowering?

The magnolia bloom can test your patience if you try to grow one from seeds. Using that method, it can take upward of a decade for the plant to start blooming. The magnolia is believed to have pre-historic origins.

Which of these flowers' appearance is believed to be where humans derived the scepter from?

The iris' tall stem with a flowering head is believed to be where ancient rulers derived the concept of the scepter (or staff) from. The iris' three petals are believed to represent wisdom, courage and faith.

This bloom is not only the state flower of West Virginia, it actually appears on the state's flag. What is it?

The rhododendron usually appears in the form of a large, flowering shrub and is populous in the Appalachian Mountains, which probably explains its state flower designation for West Virginia. Don't eat from the plant, though. Most parts of its are considered toxic.

This exotic flower is named for its appearance similar to an animal in flight. What is it?

The "Bird of Paradise" flower shares its name with the actual colorful bird. Its brightly colored leaves of yellow and blue resemble a tropical bird in flight when it is in bloom. It's native to South Africa.

This bloom can grow to 65 feet in height and is a vining flower that's part of the pea family. What is it?

Wisteria is a beautiful vining plant that produces flowers in shades of white, blue, pink or purple. It grows rapidly and can even grow around nearby structures such as trees and even houses.

Which of these flowers' fragrance is a common scent added to cosmetic products such as lotions?

The sweet fragrance of freesia makes it a popular addition to cosmetics products ranging from lotions to shampoos. A flower that blooms in different colors, the pink and red varieties are believed to produce the most fragrance.

This bloom used to be called "xiphium," which means "sword" in Latin. Which of these flowers' shapes likely contributed to that moniker?

The gladiolus boasts a tall, sword-like shape that probably helped it earn the ancient name "xiphium," which is from the Greek word "xiphos." These flowers come in a spike shape with blooms up and down the stalk.

Which of these flat-topped flowers earned its name from its the pattern present among its white blooms?

A frequent addition to floral arrangements, Queen Anne's lace produces a lace-like appearance among its flat-topped white blooms. It's named after Queen Anne of England who was said to be a skilled lace maker.

Which of these flowers that shares its name with a popular spice are frequently used when assembling Hawaiian leis?

When you think about ginger, you probably think first of the spice that frequently appears in spice racks. The ginger flower is both colorful and fragrant, making it a popular addition to Hawaiian leis.

Which of these flowers has served multiple purposes ranging from flavoring beer to painting wool?

Heather has been useful for many purposes throughout the years, including as a flavoring component for beer and wine, to paint wool and as a fragrance for shampoo, lotion and perfume.

Which of these flowers represents modesty, derived from a legend surrounding it involving a beautiful, mythical nymph?

Gerberas come in many bright colors. The legend behind these flowers explains that they are derived from a beautiful nymph who sought to get away unwanted attention. She transformed herself into the gerbera flower.

The shape of this flower is also represented in its name. Which flower is it?

The aster flower takes on a star-like shape, and its name stems from the Greek word for "star." The bloom has mythological meaning, believed to have been created from stardust scattered on the Earth by the goddess Virgo.

This flower's name is a little misleading. Which of these blooms is not from the place represented in its name?

Bells of Ireland might lead you to believe this bloom originated in Ireland, but it's actually native to areas in Asia. Some people believe it is named for its bright-green appearance, a color frequently associated with all things Irish.

It sounds a bit morbid, but it's not. Which of these flowers looks like it's drip, drip, dripping into your garden?

Bleeding hearts are an easily recognizable flower with its heart-shaped bloom. It also appears to be "dripping" into a garden where it's present — a nod to the "bleeding" reference in its name.

Do you see a "dolphin" hiding in this flower? The Greeks, which is how it earned its name. What is it?

Delphinium translates to "little dolphin," a name earned by the flower for the tiny dolphin shape the Greeks believed they saw in its blooms. Delphinium is poisonous if ingested, although it has been used previously in medicinal treatments.

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Image: Pixabay by Foto-Rabe

About This Quiz

For some of us, our knowledge of flowers stops at the Valentine's Day bouquet we receive each year at work. For others, the idea of having a green thumb is as ingrained in our lives as eating, sleeping or breathing. Apart from their undeniable beauty and enchanting fragrances, flowers have medicinal properties, significance in historical and mythological circles and modern-day symbolism of ideas like love, grace and purity.

Consider the rose, for example; it's perhaps the most popular flower in any garden or bouquet. A red rose symbolizes love, while its yellow counterpart represents friendship. It's used for providing scent in lotions and perfumes, to add flavor in teas and recipes and as an herbal remedy in folk medicine to relieve pain and treat cancer. And here you thought it was just a beautiful addition to a floral arrangement! This multipurpose flower isn't alone, though; many of its floral friends bear similar roles and responsibilities.

This quiz is like a walk through a well-tended garden with flower facts and photos from 40 popular species. See how many of these flowers you've received ... or maybe grown! Test your bloomin' brain power by matching clues to the appropriate flower. We'll give you two big (green) thumbs up if you know a bunch!

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