Did you know that toxic emissions in the atmosphere destroy the flavor of flowers and reduce the number of insects that pollinate them? High levels of pollution affect the scent of flowers. Montreal Florist presents other things you do not know about flowers:
- The largest flower in the world belongs to the genus Wolffia. These flowers grow on the water surface and do not have roots, and have only one stem and one pistil. Usually, they float to the surface in pairs or forming a kind of green lick with related plants.
- Orchids have the smallest and lightest seeds in the world. 1000 seeds of this plant weigh less than 1 mg.
- In ancient Greece, orchids were considered a symbol of virility, and the Aztecs and the Chinese believed in the curative properties of the orchid, using it to defend against disease.
- The rose is a flower originally from United States. The most ancient evidence of its existence was discovered in the town Florissant, in Colorado.
- It is supposed that Rose has helped to the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. Historians say that when he along with his crew was in Sargasso Sea waters, one of the crew noticed a rose floating in water. This gave them hope that they are not too far from land.
- Roses are akin to pears, apples, cherries, plum trees, peaches, apricots and almonds. Flowers of some species of roses are comestible, with a flavor similar to that of green apples or strawberries. Moreover, the petals of roses are good for making jam.
- In the deserts of Peru grows a cactus that can walk. Instead of roots it has some excrescences covered with sharp spines. When a strong wind blows, the cactus is moving on long distances, taking its food from air, not from soil.
- Tulips can grow up to an inch per day after being cut.
- White lily pond stem can reach 4-5 meters. The flower falls away as soon as cut off, even if it is placed in water.
- In Japan, on September 9, every year it is organized a festival of chrysanthemums. This flower appears also on the flag of Japan, but also on their traditional weapons.
- Magnolia is one of the oldest species; it existed 25,000 years before the dinosaurs disappeared.
- Galanthamina – a nutrient with soporific properties is extracted from snowdrops. The substance is also produced by other plants such as narcissus and red spider lily (Lycoris radiata) and is used for treating Alzheimer’s disease.