What are flowers? They are one of the most unique and enchanting creations of nature. Mankind initially admired wild wild, mountain, forest flowers, gradually revealing the secrets of nature, cultivated new forms and types of these beautiful plants.
In general, flowers have always been present in a person's life, both in joyful and sad events. Due to their amazing shapes and colors, fresh flowers are used to decorate various events. This is both a tribute of admiration, and a sign of respect, and an expression of sorrow.
What is a plant flower: a bit of biology
The flowering period is very important for a plant. The flower is involved in the formation of the fruit or seeds. The scientific definition of what a flower is is this: it is the reproductive organ of plants. It is in the flower that the process of pollination takes place. Most often, insects are involved in this process, but other methods are possible. The stem of any plant ends with leaves or a flower. Each plant has its own flower pattern. There is a scientific version that this organ originated from an escape. Indeed, some species of plants have the shape of a flower, reminiscent of slightly blossoming petals, for example, asters or dahlias.
Mostly flowers are brightly colored or emitaroma. In these ways, plants attract insects to themselves. It is worth noting that the aroma is emitted not by petals, but by nectaries. These are special glands that exude a sweetish and smelling liquid. In the inner part of the flower is a pistil surrounded by stamens. At the ends of the stamens are "sacs" where pollen ripens. These "bags" are scientifically called anthers. During fertilization, pollen enters the pistil and germinates in it. This is how fruits are formed.
The use of flowers in perfumery
Man more than 4000 years ago began to use flowers to create the first perfume. In Cyprus, in Pyrgos, a workshop was discovered with all sorts of devices for making fragrant compositions. After analysis, it was found that the perfume composition consisted of needles, almonds, myrtle and other plants. In addition, an Arab named Avicenna was also engaged in the extraction of fragrant substances from flowers. One of his famous inventions is rose water, which still enjoys some popularity to this day.
In the modern world, aromatic or essential oils of chemical production are used to create perfume. Only limited editions are created on the basis of natural ingredients. Flowers such as rose, lavender, jasmine, lily of the valley, narcissus, lily and hyacinth do not allow women around the world to remain indifferent to perfume fragrances.
Flowers in cooking
In addition to the use of flowers in perfumery purposes, humanity has long used them in cooking. The easiest way to use them- These are all kinds of drinks or teas with flowers. Few people have not tried tea with jasmine or linden. In addition, everyone knows rose petal jam or marigold flower jelly with raspberries. If we turn to classical literature, then Ray Bradbury mentions dandelion wine in his works. It has an unusual taste and bright yellow color.
In addition, in cooking, flowers are used to cook meat or fish, are added to salads and desserts, and are an excellent decoration for confectionery. The names of these flowers are well known to everyone: these are daisies, pansies, violets, nasturtiums and other plants familiar to Russians.
The use of colors in medicine
Flowers of some plants have medicinal properties. For example, everyone knows what calendula flowers are. In diseases of the throat, rinsing with an infusion of them is effective. To improve the condition with a cold, a lime blossom drink helps. Immortelle flowers (the name speaks for itself) are generally unique, they can help with diseases such as cholecystitis, hepatitis, and hypertension. Among other things, they have a choleretic property. Modern medicine, despite the abundance of medicines, often refers to the "flower pharmacy".
Also, since ancient times, the flowers of certain plants have been used as poisons. If we turn to history, we can see that these color properties helped change the history of more than one state.
What are predatory flowers
Not allnatural creations are harmless. There is a certain group of predator plants. Most of the plants of this type grow on the African continent, but some varieties are also found in Russia. In predatory flowers, bright colors signal danger.
As a rule, carnivore plants have a flower that exudes an aroma attractive to insects. And as soon as an insect sits on such a flower, its bud either slams shut, or the insect gets stuck in it, unable to get out. Small rodents sometimes get into the bowls of flowers of such plants. The brighter the flower, the more poisonous or dangerous it is.
Interesting about flowers
In conclusion, some interesting facts:
- Some flowers are a symbol of a particular country. For example, what are rose flowers? It is the national symbol of England, the USA and Iran. The poppy is a symbol of the memory of those who died in the First World War in countries such as the United States, France and England.
- The cult of flowers in Egypt spans over 4,000 years.
- The fastest growing record holder is a tulip. Its growth per day reaches 20 mm.
- The world's most expensive flower is the golden orchid, worth over $5,000
- Gladiolus is one of the most ancient plants. It got its name because of the similarity of its flower with a gladiator's sword.
