Makarimi Abdullah
Most of the country in the world have their own national flower only few does not has national flower. National flower representing country and have their own meaning to them. The national flowers have cultural or religious roots that go back hundreds or even thousands of years and have been adopted or may be not adopted as national flower. 

Hibiscus rosa sinensis
My country Malaysia the national flower is Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis or locally known Bunga Raya. This Bunga Raya was adopted as national flower in 1960 by our 1st Prime Minister. This flower was chosen as it symbolizes the principles of nationhood (rukun negara) with its 5 petals and the red color symbolized of courage and unity of its people. This flower existence in this country is unknown, but it is believed to have been brought to Malaysia through early trade from it's original home in China around 12th country, hence the scientific name sinensis meaning Chinese. The flower is abundance through out the country and easily grow here.  More article about this, click here.

Back to main subject, orchid as national flower. I have planted so many type of orchids and I never realize that orchid give a big meaning to other people around the world. With alphabet letter of the country in the world, I will share part by part of orchid as national flower. There is no A country list adopted orchid as their national flower. So will start with letter B, Country of  Belize.

Belize adopted the black orchid (Encyclia cochleatum/ Anacheilium cochleatum/Prosthechea cochleata) as their national flower.The flower is actually not black at all but purple in color. It is one of the few Orchids that flowers all year long, maybe this is why it is the National flower. Beside black orchid this orchid also known as 'The cockleshell orchid'. This orchid has upside down flowers with smooth ovoid to oblong-elliptic. Its can bloom for 6 months from one to many flowered, but this orchid no fragrant. This orchid originate from Belize, beside its also found in Florida, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamica, Cayman Islands, Leewards, Puerto Rica, Windwards, French Guiana, Surinam, Guyana, Venezuela and Colombia. 

This orchid is epiphyte and can be found in dense tropical evergreen and oak forest from sea level up to 1900 meters. This orchid can grow in warm condition, so it can grow here in Malaysia and can bloom. I have seen this orchid in many Orchid Show in Malaysia and can grow well. I still don't have this orchid in my garden but I will.  In their origin country there have been eat cooked pseudobulbs.

May be you want to share your national flower or national state flower by linking to this post.

A flower is an educated weed - Luther Burbank
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3 Responses
  1. Very pretty. For me Orchids could only be grown indoors, so it's nice to always see yours.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

  2. wow Belize has a very exotic looking national flower. Shah Alam bandar orkid?

  3. Cher> In four season country its usually only can plant indoor, but not here. Thanks for the compliment ;)

    Diana> Not just Belize, more country coming soon. Yes, Shah Alam is Bandar Anggerik ;)