World National Flowers

It’s no surprise that the iconic Maple Leaf is the national flower of Canada. The Maple Tree is famous for both its distinctive leaves and its sweet syrup made from the tree sap. According to historians, the leaf became a symbol of Canada as early as the 1700s.

Moving to more tropical climates, the beautiful Butterfly Jasmine flower represents Cuba, with its name as no coincidence considering its butterfly-esque petals.

When we come to South America the national flowers of these countries are a set of unique and intriguing flowers, including the Peruvian Cantuta flower. This flower is used in many traditional ceremonies and is a symbol of hospitality to visitors.

When it comes to the vast lands of Africa, not every country has selected a national flower, however there are some truly magical selections from those who have. 

The iconic Lotus is the national flower of Egypt, dating back to ancient times with the plant being depicted in hieroglyphics representing rebirth and the sun.

South Africa plays host to the beautiful Protea plant which is considered to be among one of the oldest flowering plants on the planet.

Over to Asia, to where both Japan and Nepal see tourists flock at particular times of year to witness the bloom of their national flowers. The annual Japanese blossom season is very popular with travellers each year, alongside the backpacking trails of Nepal during the Rhododendron bloom.

The Golden Wattle flower holds a special place in many Australian hearts, so much so it actually inspired its green and gold national colours.  Alongside this, it is pride of place on the Aussie coat of arms, however not all countries share the admiration, with it being considered a weed in some areas of the world. 

Did you know any country’s national flower before taking a look at the world in bloom? You can take a closer look at the maps here.