flower

/ˈflaʊər/

/ˈflaʊə/

Other forms: flowers; flowering; flowered

If someone tells you they think you'll flower when you go to college, they don't mean they think you'll grow blossoms on your head, but that you'll really come into your own and find your potential.

A flower is a fragile blossom that has petals and grows at the top of the stem of a plant. Flowers attract bees, who help out with the pollination process so more plants can grow. Roses, daisies, and carnations are all types of flowers. Flower is also a verb meaning to bring forth flowers. And if something besides a plant — a business, a person, a community — has a period of extra productivity or prosperity, we say it is flowering.

Definitions of flower

1. noun

   reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts
   synonyms: bloom, blossom

   types:

   floret, floweret

   a diminutive flower (especially one that is part of a composite flower)

   apetalous flower

   flower having no petals

   inflorescence

   the flowering part of a plant or arrangement of flowers on a stalk

   ray floret, ray flower

   small flower with a flat strap-shaped corolla usually occupying the peripheral rings of a composite flower

   bud

   a partially opened flower

   chrysanthemum

   the flower of a chrysanthemum plant

   flower head

   a shortened compact cluster of flowers so arranged that the whole gives the effect of a single flower as in clover or members of the family Compositae

   ament, catkin

   a cylindrical spikelike inflorescence

   rosebud

   the bud of a rose

   umbel

   flat-topped or rounded inflorescence characteristic of the family Umbelliferae in which the individual flower stalks arise from about the same point; youngest flowers are at the center

   corymb

   flat-topped or convex inflorescence in which the individual flower stalks grow upward from various points on the main stem to approximately the same height; outer flowers open first

   flower cluster

   an inflorescence consisting of a cluster of flowers

   cyme

   more or less flat-topped cluster of flowers in which the central or terminal flower opens first

   spike

   (botany) an indeterminate inflorescence bearing sessile flowers on an unbranched axis

   type of:

   reproductive structure

   the parts of a plant involved in its reproduction
2. noun

   a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
   types:

   bloomer

   a flower that blooms in a particular way

   paeony, peony

   any of numerous plants widely cultivated for their showy single or double red or pink or white flowers

   Ranunculus ficaria, lesser celandine, pilewort

   perennial herb native to Europe but naturalized elsewhere having heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers resembling buttercups; its tuberous roots have been used as a poultice to relieve piles

   Adonis annua, pheasant's-eye

   Eurasian herb cultivated for its deep red flowers with dark centers

   anemone, windflower

   any woodland plant of the genus Anemone grown for its beautiful flowers and whorls of dissected leaves

   Anemonella thalictroides, rue anemone

   woodland flower native to eastern North America having cup-shaped flowers reminiscent of anemone but more delicate

   aquilege, aquilegia, columbine

   a plant of the genus Aquilegia having irregular showy spurred flowers; north temperate regions especially mountains

   Consolida ambigua, Delphinium ajacis, rocket larkspur

   commonly cultivated larkspur of southern Europe having unbranched spikelike racemes of blue or sometimes purplish or pinkish flowers; sometime placed in genus Delphinium

   delphinium

   any plant of the genus Delphinium having palmately divided leaves and showy spikes of variously colored spurred flowers; some contain extremely poisonous substances

   nigella

   any plant of the genus Nigella

   peace lily, spathe flower, spathiphyllum

   any of various plants of the genus Spathiphyllum having a white or green spathe and a spike of fragrant flowers and often cultivated as an ornamental

   Zantedeschia aethiopica, arum lily, calla, calla lily

   South African plant widely cultivated for its showy pure white spathe and yellow spadix

   sandwort

   low-growing chiefly perennial plant usually with small white flowers suitable for e.g. rock gardens

   garden pink, pink

   any of various flowers of plants of the genus Dianthus cultivated for their fragrant flowers

   Gypsophila paniculata, babies'-breath, baby's breath

   tall plant with small lance-shaped leaves and numerous tiny white or pink flowers

   catchfly, lychnis

   mostly perennial herbs with sticky stems that catch insects; widespread in north temperate zone

   Moehringia lateriflora, sandwort

   low-growing herb having clusters of small white four-petaled flowers

   Moehringia mucosa, sandwort

   loosely matted plant with moss-like foliage studded with tiny starry four-petaled white blossoms; mountains of central and southern Europe

   Saponaria officinalis, bouncing Bess, bouncing Bet, hedge pink, soapwort

   plant of European origin having pink or white flowers and leaves yielding a detergent when bruised

   campion, catchfly, silene

   any plant of the genus Silene

   Saponaria vaccaria, Vaccaria hispanica, Vaccaria pyramidata, cow cockle, cowherb

   European annual with pale rose-colored flowers; cultivated flower or self-sown grainfield weed; introduced in North America; sometimes classified as a soapwort

   fig marigold, pebble plant

   any of several South African plants of the genus Mesembryanthemum cultivated for showy pink or white flowers

   Gomphrena globosa, bachelor's button, globe amaranth

   tropical American herb having rose to red or purple flowers that can be dried without losing color

   Nyctaginia capitata, scarlet musk flower

   viscid branched perennial of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico having tuberous roots and deep red flowers

   umbrellawort

   a plant of the genus Mirabilis

   four o'clock

   any of several plants of the genus Mirabilis having flowers that open in late afternoon

   portulaca

   a plant of the genus Portulaca having pink or red or purple or white ephemeral flowers

   Carolina spring beauty, Claytonia caroliniana

   similar to Claytonia virginica but having usually pink flowers; eastern North America

   Clatonia lanceolata, spring beauty

   small slender plant having one pair of succulent leaves at the middle of the stem and a loose raceme of white or pink or rose bowl-shaped flowers and an edible corm

   Claytonia virginica, Virginia spring beauty

   small cormous perennial grown for its low rosette of succulent foliage and racemes of pink-tinged white flowers; eastern North America

   Cheiranthus cheiri, Erysimum cheiri, wallflower

   perennial of southern Europe having clusters of fragrant flowers of all colors especially yellow and orange; often naturalized on old walls or cliffs; sometimes placed in genus Erysimum

   prairie rocket

   any of several western American plants of the genus Cheiranthus having large yellow flowers

   wallflower

   any of numerous plants of the genus Erysimum having fragrant yellow or orange or brownish flowers

   prairie rocket

   any of several North American plants of the genus Erysimum having large yellow flowers

   Cheiranthus asperus, Erysimum arkansanum, Erysimum asperum, western wall flower

   biennial or short-lived perennial prairie rocket having orange-yellow flowers; western North America to Minnesota and Kansas; sometimes placed in genus Cheiranthus

   heliophila

   any of various South African herbs and subshrubs cultivated for long showy racemes of bright blue flowers with white eyes

   Dame's violet, Hesperis matronalis, damask violet, sweet rocket

   long cultivated herb having flowers whose scent is more pronounced in the evening; naturalized throughout Europe to Siberia and into North America

   candytuft

   any of various flowering plants of the genus Iberis cultivated for their showy clusters of white to red or purple flowers; native to Mediterranean region

   Lobularia maritima, sweet alison, sweet alyssum

   perennial European plant having clusters of small fragrant usually white flowers; widely grown in gardens

   Malcolm stock, stock

   any of various ornamental flowering plants of the genus Malcolmia

   Malcolmia maritima, Virginia stock, Virginian stock

   erect branching herb cultivated for its loose racemes of fragrant white or pink or red or lilac flowers; native to sands and sea cliffs of southwestern Greece and southern Albania

   gillyflower, stock

   any of several Old World plants cultivated for their brightly colored flowers

   Schizopetalon walkeri, schizopetalon

   a dainty South American annual having deeply pinnatifid leaves and racemes of fringed almond-scented purple-white flowers

   poppy

   annual or perennial herb with milky juice and showy flowers

   corydalis

   a plant of the genus Corydalis with beautiful compound foliage and spurred tubular flowers

   Glaucium flavum, horn poppy, horned poppy, sea poppy, yellow horned poppy

   yellow-flowered Eurasian glaucous herb naturalized in along sandy shores in eastern North America

   composite, composite plant

   considered the most highly evolved dicotyledonous plants, characterized by florets arranged in dense heads that resemble single flowers

   ageratum

   any plant of the genus Ageratum having opposite leaves and small heads of blue or white flowers

   Amberboa moschata, Centaurea moschata, sweet sultan

   Asian plant widely grown for its sweetly fragrant pink flowers; sometimes placed in genus Centaurea

   ammobium

   any plant of the genus Ammobium having yellow flowers and silvery foliage

   African daisy

   any of several plants of the genus Arctotis having daisylike flowers

   Arctotis stoechadifolia, Arctotis venusta, blue-eyed African daisy

   bushy perennial of South Africa with white or violet flowers; in its native region often clothes entire valley sides in a sheet of color

   aster

   any of various chiefly fall-blooming herbs of the genus Aster with showy daisylike flowers

   daisy

   any of numerous composite plants having flower heads with well-developed ray flowers usually arranged in a single whorl

   Brachycome Iberidifolia, Swan River daisy

   western Australian annual much cultivated for its flower heads with white or bluish to violet or variegated rays

   calendula

   any of numerous chiefly annual herbs of the genus Calendula widely cultivated for their yellow or orange flowers; often used for medicinal and culinary purposes

   Callistephus chinensis, China aster

   valued for their beautiful flowers in a wide range of clear bright colors; grown primarily for cutting

   catananche

   any of several plants of the genus Catananche having long-stalked heads of blue or yellow flowers

   Centaurea cyanus, bachelor's button, bluebottle, cornflower

   an annual Eurasian plant cultivated in North America having showy heads of blue or purple or pink or white flowers

   Centaurea imperialis, sweet sultan

   perennial of mountains of Iran and Iraq; cultivated for its fragrant rose-pink flowers

   chrysanthemum

   any of numerous perennial Old World herbs having showy brightly colored flower heads of the genera Chrysanthemum, Argyranthemum, Dendranthema, Tanacetum; widely cultivated

   Conoclinium coelestinum, Eupatorium coelestinum, ageratum, mist-flower, mistflower

   rhizomatous plant of central and southeastern United States and West Indies having large showy heads of clear blue flowers; sometimes placed in genus Eupatorium

   cosmea, cosmos

   any of various mostly Mexican herbs of the genus Cosmos having radiate heads of variously colored flowers and pinnate leaves; popular fall-blooming annuals

   Cotula coronopifolia, brass buttons

   South African herb with golden-yellow globose flower heads; naturalized in moist areas along coast of California; cultivated as an ornamental

   billy buttons

   any of various plants of the genus Craspedia grown for their downy foliage and globose heads of golden flowers; Australia and New Zealand

   Dahlia pinnata, dahlia

   any of several plants of or developed from the species Dahlia pinnata having tuberous roots and showy rayed variously colored flower heads; native to the mountains of Mexico and Central America and Colombia

   cape marigold, star of the veldt, sun marigold

   any of several South African plants grown for the profusion of usually yellow daisylike flowers and mounds of aromatic foliage

   coneflower

   any of various perennials of the eastern United States having thick rough leaves and long-stalked showy flowers with drooping rays and a conelike center

   Felicia amelloides, blue daisy, blue marguerite

   hairy South African or Australian subshrub that has daisylike flowers with blue rays

   Felicia bergeriana, kingfisher daisy

   softly hairy South African herb having flowers with bright blue rays

   cotton rose, cudweed, filago

   any plant of the genus Filago having capitate clusters of small woolly flower heads

   gazania

   any plant of the genus Gazania valued for their showy daisy flowers

   African daisy

   African or Asiatic herbs with daisylike flowers

   helianthus, sunflower

   any plant of the genus Helianthus having large flower heads with dark disk florets and showy yellow rays

   Layia platyglossa, tidy tips, tidytips

   California annual having flower heads with yellow rays tipped with white

   Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Leucanthemum vulgare, marguerite, moon daisy, ox-eyed daisy, oxeye daisy, white daisy

   tall leafy-stemmed Eurasian perennial with white flowers; widely naturalized; often placed in genus Chrysanthemum

   Lindheimera texana, Texas star

   Texas annual with coarsely pinnatifid leaves; cultivated for its showy radiate yellow flower heads

   African daisy, Lonas annua, Lonas inodora, yellow ageratum

   shrub of southwestern Mediterranean region having yellow daisylike flowers

   Pericallis cruenta, Senecio cruentus, cineraria

   herb of Canary Islands widely cultivated for its blue or purple or red or variegated daisylike flowers

   Pericallis hybrida, florest's cineraria

   herb derived from Pericallis cruenta and widely cultivated in a variety of profusely flowering forms with florets from white to pink to red or purple or violet or blue

   coneflower

   any of various plants of the genus Rudbeckia cultivated for their large usually yellow daisies with prominent central cones

   white-topped aster

   herb having corymbose white-rayed flowers with scaly bracts and silky indehiscent fruits

   Stokesia laevis, cornflower aster, stokes' aster

   erect perennial of southeastern United States having large heads of usually blue flowers

   marigold

   any of various tropical American plants of the genus Tagetes widely cultivated for their showy yellow or orange flowers

   Chrysanthemum coccineum, Tanacetum coccineum, painted daisy, pyrethrum

   spring-flowering garden perennial of Asiatic origin having finely divided aromatic leaves and white to pink-purple flowers; source of an insecticide; sometimes placed in genus Chrysanthemum

   Mexican sunflower, tithonia

   any plant of the genus Tithonia; tall coarse herbs or shrubs of Mexico to Panama having large flower heads resembling sunflowers with yellow disc florets and golden-yellow to orange-scarlet rays

   Easter daisy, Townsendia Exscapa, stemless daisy

   dwarf tufted nearly stemless herb having a rosette of woolly leaves and large white-rayed flower heads and bristly achenes; central Canada and United States west to Arizona

   ursinia

   any of various plants of the genus Ursinia grown for their yellow- or orange- or white-rayed flowers

   xeranthemum

   any plant of the genus Xeranthemum native to southern Europe having chaffy or silvery flower heads with purplish tubular flowers

   old maid, old maid flower, zinnia

   any of various plants of the genus Zinnia cultivated for their variously and brightly colored flower heads

   Mentzelia laevicaulis, Mentzelia livicaulis, blazing star

   biennial of southwestern United States having white stems and toothed leaves that is grown for its large pale yellow flowers that open in early morning

   Mentzelia lindleyi, bartonia

   annual grown especially for its fragrant golden nocturnal flowers

   orchid, orchidaceous plant

   any of numerous plants of the orchid family usually having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colors

   Cyclamen purpurascens, cyclamen

   Mediterranean plant widely cultivated as a houseplant for its showy dark green leaves splotched with silver and nodding white or pink to reddish flowers with reflexed petals

   Cyclamen hederifolium, Cyclamen neopolitanum, sowbread

   common wild European cyclamen with pink flowers

   shortia

   any plant of the genus Shortia; evergreen perennial herbs with smooth leathery basal leaves and showy white solitary flowers

   centaury

   any of various plants of the genus Centaurium

   gentian

   any of various plants of the family Gentianaceae especially the genera Gentiana and Gentianella and Gentianopsis

   begonia

   any of numerous plants of the genus Begonia grown for their attractive glossy asymmetrical leaves and colorful flowers in usually terminal cymes or racemes

   Sparaxis tricolor, wandflower

   a showy often-cultivated plant with tawny yellow often purple-spotted flowers

   Bessera elegans, coral drops

   half-hardy Mexican herb cultivated for its drooping terminal umbels of showy red-and-white flowers

   Christmas bells

   any of several plants of the genus Blandfordia having large orange or crimson flowers

   bellwort, merry bells, wild oats

   any of various plants of the genus Uvularia having yellowish drooping bell-shaped flowers

   Polianthes tuberosa, tuberose

   a tuberous Mexican herb having grasslike leaves and cultivated for its spikes of highly fragrant lily-like waxy white flowers

   commelina

   any plant of the genus Commelina

   scabiosa, scabious

   any of various plants of the genus Scabiosa

   Lithophragma affine, Lithophragma affinis, Tellima affinis, woodland star

   California perennial herb cultivated for its racemose white flowers with widely spreading petals; sometimes placed in genus Tellima

   achimenes, hot water plant

   any plant of the genus Achimenes having showy bell-shaped flowers that resemble gloxinias

   Alsobia dianthiflora, Episcia dianthiflora, lace-flower vine

   low-growing creeping perennial of Central America having deeply fringed white flowers; sometimes placed in genus Episcia

   African violet, Saintpaulia ionantha

   tropical African plant cultivated as a houseplant for its violet or white or pink flowers

   streptocarpus

   any of various plants of the genus Streptocarpus having leaves in a basal rosette and flowers like primroses

   phacelia, scorpion weed, scorpionweed

   any plant of the genus Phacelia

   snapdragon

   a garden plant of the genus Antirrhinum having showy white or yellow or crimson flowers resembling the face of a dragon

   calceolaria, slipperwort

   any garden plant of the genus Calceolaria having flowers with large inflated slipper-shaped lower lip

   gerardia

   any plant of the genus Gerardia

   Linaria vulgaris, butter-and-eggs, devil's flax, toadflax, wild snapdragon

   common European perennial having showy yellow and orange flowers; a naturalized weed in North America

   speedwell, veronica

   any plant of the genus Veronica

   browallia, bush violet

   any of several herbs of the genus Browallia cultivated for their blue or violet or white flowers

   petunia

   any of numerous tropical herbs having fluted funnel-shaped flowers

   butterfly flower, poor man's orchid, schizanthus

   any plant of the genus Schizanthus having finely divided leaves and showy variegated flowers

   verbena, vervain

   any of numerous tropical or subtropical American plants of the genus Verbena grown for their showy spikes of variously colored flowers

   valerian

   a plant of the genus Valeriana having lobed or dissected leaves and cymose white or pink flowers

   Centranthus ruber, French honeysuckle, red valerian

   European herb with small fragrant crimson or white spurred flowers

   Alpine anemone, Anemone tetonensis, mountain anemone

   silky-foliaged herb of the Rocky Mountains with bluish-white flowers

   Anemone Canadensis, Canada anemone

   common summer-flowering woodland herb of Labrador to Colorado

   Anemone cylindrica, thimbleweed

   a common North American anemone with cylindrical fruit clusters resembling thimbles

   Anemone nemorosa, wood anemone

   European anemone with solitary white flowers common in deciduous woodlands

   Anemone quinquefolia, snowdrop, wood anemone

   common anemone of eastern North America with solitary pink-tinged white flowers

   Anemone sylvestris, snowdrop anemone, snowdrop windflower

   Eurasian herb with solitary nodding fragrant white flowers

   Aquilegia canadensis, honeysuckle, meeting house

   columbine of eastern North America having long-spurred red flowers

   Aquilegia caerulea, Aquilegia scopulorum calcarea, blue columbine

   columbine of the Rocky Mountains having long-spurred blue flowers

   Aquilegia vulgaris, granny's bonnets

   common European columbine having variously colored (white or blue to purple or red) short-spurred flowers; naturalized in United States

   larkspur

   any of numerous cultivated plants of the genus Delphinium

   Nigella damascena, love-in-a-mist

   European garden plant having finely cut leaves and white or pale blue flowers

   Nigella hispanica, fennel flower

   nigella of Spain and southern France

   Nigella sativa, Roman coriander, black caraway, nutmeg flower

   herb of the Mediterranean region having pungent seeds used like those of caraway

   Zantedeschia rehmanii, pink calla

   calla having a rose-colored spathe

   golden calla

   any of several callas of the genus Zantedeschia having yellow spathes

   Arenaria groenlandica, mountain daisy, mountain sandwort, mountain starwort

   boreal or alpine sandwort

   Arenaria caroliniana, longroot, pine-barren sandwort

   deep-rooted perennial of southeastern United States

   Arenaria peploides, seabeach sandwort

   perennial succulent herb with small solitary axillary or terminal flowers

   Arenaria stricta, rock sandwort

   low perennial tufted plant of southeastern North America

   Arenaria serpyllifolia, thyme-leaved sandwort

   Eurasian annual sprawling plant naturalized throughout North America

   Dianthus barbatus, sweet William

   Eurasian pink widely cultivated for its flat-topped dense clusters of varicolored flowers

   Dianthus caryophyllus, carnation, clove pink, gillyflower

   Eurasian plant with pink to purple-red spice-scented usually double flowers; widely cultivated in many varieties and many colors

   Dianthus chinensis, china pink, rainbow pink

   Chinese pink with deeply toothed rose-lilac flowers with a purplish eye; usually raised as an annual

   Dianthus deltoides, maiden pink

   low-growing loosely mat-forming Eurasian pink with a single pale pink flower with a crimson center

   Diangus gratianopolitanus, cheddar pink

   mat-forming perennial of central Europe with large fragrant pink or red flowers

   Dianthus latifolius, button pink

   much-branched pink with flowers in clusters; closely related to sweet William

   Dianthus plumarius, cottage pink, grass pink

   European pink cultivated for its very fragrant pink or rosy flowers

   Dianthus supurbus, fringed pink

   Eurasian perennial pink having fragrant lilac or rose flowers with deeply fringed margins

   Lychins floscuculi, Lychnis flos-cuculi, cuckoo flower, ragged robin

   common perennial native to Europe and western Asia having usually pink flowers with ragged petals

   Lychins chalcedonica, maltese cross, scarlet lychnis

   Eurasian garden perennial having scarlet flowers in dense terminal heads

   Lychnis coronaria, dusty miller, gardener's delight, mullein pink, rose campion

   an old cottage garden plant of southeastern Europe widely cultivated for its attractive white woolly foliage and showy crimson flowers

   Silene acaulis, moss campion

   tuft- or mat-forming dwarf perennial of Arctic regions of western and central Europe and North America

   Silene caroliniana, wild pink

   perennial of eastern and central North America having short-stalked pink or white flowers in hairy clusters

   Lychnis dioica, Silene dioica, red bird's eye, red campion

   biennial European catchfly having red or pink flowers; sometimes placed in genus Lychnis

   Lychnis alba, Silene latifolia, bladder campion, evening lychnis, white campion, white cockle

   bluish-green herb having sticky stems and clusters of large evening-opening white flowers with much-inflated calyx; sometimes placed in genus Lychnis

   Silene virginica, fire pink

   perennial herb of eastern North America, having red flowers with narrow notched petals

   Silene uniflora, Silene vulgaris, bladder campion

   perennial of Arctic Europe having large white flowers with inflated calyx

   Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, ice plant, icicle plant

   Old World annual widely naturalized in warm regions having white flowers and fleshy foliage covered with hairs that resemble ice

   Mirabilis jalapa, Mirabilis uniflora, common four-o'clock, marvel-of-Peru

   common garden plant of North America having fragrant red or purple or yellow or white flowers that open in late afternoon

   California four o'clock, Mirabilis californica, Mirabilis laevis

   California four o'clock with purple-red flowers

   Mirabilis longiflora, maravilla, sweet four o'clock

   leafy wildflower having fragrant slender white or pale pink trumpet-shaped flowers; southwestern United States and northern Mexico

   Colorado four o'clock, Mirabilis multiflora, desert four o'clock, maravilla

   wildflower having vibrant deep pink tubular evening-blooming flowers; found in sandy and desert areas from southern California to southern Colorado and into Mexico

   Mirabilis oblongifolia, mountain four o'clock

   leafy wildflower with lavender-pink flowers that open in the evening and remain through cool part of the next day; found in open woods or brush in mountains of southern Colorado to Arizona and into Mexico

   Portulaca grandiflora, rose moss, sun plant

   widely cultivated in many varieties for its fleshy moss-like foliage and profusion of brightly colored flowers

   Cheiranthus allionii, Erysimum allionii, Siberian wall flower

   showy erect biennial or short-lived perennial cultivated for its terminal racemes of orange-yellow flowers; sometimes placed in genus Cheiranthus

   Matthiola incana, brompton stock

   European plant with racemes of sweet-scented flowers; widely cultivated as an ornamental

   Iceland poppy, Papaver alpinum

   Old World alpine poppy with white or yellow to orange flowers

   Papaver californicum, western poppy

   showy annual of California with red flowers

   Papaver argemone, prickly poppy

   annual Old World poppy with orange-red flowers and bristly fruit

   Iceland poppy, Papaver nudicaule, arctic poppy

   subarctic perennial poppy of both hemispheres having fragrant white or yellow to orange or peach flowers

   Papaver orientale, oriental poppy

   commonly cultivated Asiatic perennial poppy having stiff heavily haired leaves and bright scarlet or pink to orange flowers

   Flanders poppy, Papaver rhoeas, corn poppy, field poppy

   annual European poppy common in grain fields and often cultivated

   Papaver somniferum, opium poppy

   southwestern Asian herb with greyish leaves and white or reddish flowers; source of opium

   Chelidonium majus, celandine, greater celandine, swallow wort, swallowwort

   perennial herb with branched woody stock and bright yellow flowers

   California poppy, Eschscholtzia californica

   of Pacific coast of North America; widely cultivated for its yellow to red flowers

   Hunnemania fumariifolia, Mexican tulip poppy, golden cup

   native of Mexican highlands grown for its glossy clear yellow flowers and blue-grey finely dissected foliage

   Macleaya cordata, bocconia, plume poppy

   herb of China and Japan widely cultivated for its plumelike panicles of creamy white flowers

   Meconopsis betonicifolia, blue poppy

   Chinese perennial having mauve-pink to bright sky blue flowers in drooping cymes

   Meconopsis cambrica, Welsh poppy

   widely cultivated west European plant with showy pale yellow flowers

   Platystemon californicus, creamcups

   California plant with small pale yellow flowers

   Papaver heterophyllum, Stylomecon heterophyllum, flaming poppy, wind poppy

   California wild poppy with bright red flowers

   Stylophorum diphyllum, celandine poppy, wood poppy

   perennial herb native to woodland of the eastern United States having yellow flowers

   compass flower, compass plant

   any of several plants having leaves so arranged on the axis as to indicate the cardinal points of the compass

   everlasting, everlasting flower

   any of various plants of various genera of the family Compositae having flowers that can be dried without loss of form or color

   Ageratum houstonianum, common ageratum

   small tender herb grown for its fluffy brushlike blue to lavender blooms

   Ammobium alatum, winged everlasting

   Australian plant widely cultivated for its beautiful silvery-white blooms with bright yellow centers on long winged stems

   Anthemis cotula, dog fennel, mayweed, stinking chamomile, stinking mayweed

   widespread rank-smelling weed having white-rayed flower heads with yellow discs

   Anthemis tinctoria, dyers' chamomile, golden marguerite, yellow chamomile

   Eurasian perennial herb with hairy divided leaves and yellow flowers; naturalized in North America

   Anthemis arvensis, corn chamomile, corn mayweed, field chamomile

   European white-flowered weed naturalized in North America

   wood aster

   any of several asters of eastern North America usually growing in woods

   Aster acuminatus, whorled aster

   North American perennial with apparently whorled leaves and showy white purple-tinged flowers

   Aster arenosus, heath aster

   common North American perennial with heathlike foliage and small white flower heads

   Aster dumosus, bushy aster

   stiff perennial of the eastern United States having small linear leaves and numerous tiny white flower heads

   Aster ericoides, heath aster

   common much-branched North American perennial with heathlike foliage and small starry white flowers

   Aster falcatus, white prairie aster

   perennial of western North America having white flowers

   Aster linarifolius, stiff aster

   wiry tufted perennial of the eastern United States with stiff erect rough stems, linear leaves and large violet flowers

   Aster linosyris, Linosyris vulgaris, goldilocks, goldilocks aster

   early-flowering perennial of southern and southeastern Europe with flower heads resembling those of goldenrod

   Aster novae-angliae, New England aster

   common perennial of eastern North America having showy purplish flowers; a parent of the Michaelmas daisy

   Aster novi-belgii, Michaelmas daisy, New York aster

   North American perennial herb having small autumn-blooming purple or pink or white flowers; widely naturalized in Europe

   Aster ptarmicoides, upland white aster

   tufted rigid North American perennial with loose clusters of white flowers

   Aster shortii, Short's aster

   perennial of southeastern United States having usually blue flowers

   Aster tripolium, sea aster, sea starwort

   a common European aster that grows in salt marshes

   Aster turbinellis, prairie aster

   violet-flowered perennial aster of central United States having solitary heads

   annual salt-marsh aster

   a variety of aster

   aromatic aster

   a variety of aster

   arrow leaved aster

   a variety of aster

   azure aster

   a variety of aster

   bog aster

   a variety of aster

   crooked-stemmed aster

   a variety of aster

   Eastern silvery aster

   a variety of aster

   flat-topped white aster

   a variety of aster

   late purple aster

   a variety of aster

   panicled aster

   a variety of aster

   perennial salt marsh aster

   a variety of aster

   purple-stemmed aster

   a variety of aster

   rough-leaved aster

   a variety of aster

   rush aster

   a variety of aster

   Schreiber's aster

   a variety of aster

   small white aster

   a variety of aster

   smooth aster

   a variety of aster

   southern aster

   a variety of aster

   calico aster, starved aster

   a variety of aster

   tradescant's aster

   a variety of aster

   wavy-leaved aster

   a variety of aster

   Western silvery aster

   a variety of aster

   willow aster

   a variety of aster

   Bellis perennis, English daisy, common daisy

   low-growing Eurasian plant with yellow central disc flowers and pinkish-white outer ray flowers

   Calendula officinalis, Scotch marigold, common marigold, pot marigold, ruddles

   the common European annual marigold

   Catananche caerulea, blue succory, cupid's dart

   south European plant having dark-eyed flowers with flat blue rays

   Chrysanthemum segetum, corn marigold, field marigold

   European herb with bright yellow flowers; a common weed in grain fields

   Chrysanthemum coronarium, crown daisy

   shrubby annual of the Mediterranean region with yellowish-white flowers

   Chrysanthemum coronarium spatiosum, chop-suey greens, shun giku, tong ho

   grown for its succulent edible leaves used in Asian cooking

   Chrysanthemum morifolium, Dendranthema grandifloruom, florist's chrysanthemum, florists' chrysanthemum, mum

   of China

   Filago germanica, herba impia

   (literally an undutiful herb) a variety of cotton rose

   Gazania rigens, treasure flower

   decumbent South African perennial with short densely leafy stems and orange flower rays with black eyespots at base

   Barberton daisy, Gerbera jamesonii, Transvaal daisy

   widely cultivated South African perennial having flower heads with orange to flame-colored rays

   Helianthus angustifolius, swamp sunflower

   sunflower of eastern North America having narrow leaves and found in bogs

   Helianthus annuus, common sunflower, mirasol

   annual sunflower grown for silage and for its seeds which are a source of oil; common throughout United States and much of North America

   Helianthus giganteus, Indian potato, giant sunflower, tall sunflower

   very tall American perennial of central and the eastern United States to Canada having edible tuberous roots

   Helianthus laetiflorus, showy sunflower

   tall rough-leaved perennial with a few large flower heads; central United States

   Helianthus maximilianii, Maximilian's sunflower

   tall perennial of central United States to Canada having golden-yellow flowers

   Helianthus petiolaris, prairie sunflower

   similar to the common sunflower with slender usually branching stems common in central United States

   Helianthus tuberosus, Jerusalem artichoke, Jerusalem artichoke sunflower, girasol

   tall perennial with hairy stems and leaves; widely cultivated for its large irregular edible tubers

   Chrysanthemum maximum, Leucanthemum maximum, oxeye daisy

   similar to oxeye daisy

   Chrysanthemum maximum maximum, Leucanthemum superbum, shasta daisy

   hybrid garden flower derived from Chrysanthemum maximum and Chrysanthemum lacustre having large white flower heads resembling oxeye daisies; often placed in the genus Chrysanthemum

   Chrysanthemum lacustre, Leucanthemum lacustre, Pyrenees daisy

   perennial of Portugal similar to the oxeye daisy

   Rudbeckia hirta, Rudbeckia serotina, black-eyed Susan

   the state flower of Maryland; of central and southeastern United States; having daisylike flowers with dark centers and yellow to orange rays

   Rudbeckia laciniata, cutleaved coneflower

   tall leafy plant with erect branches ending in large yellow flower heads with downward-arching rays; grow in Rocky Mountains south to Arizona and east to the Atlantic coast

   narrow-leaved white-topped aster

   a variety of white-topped aster

   African marigold, Aztec marigold, Tagetes erecta, big marigold

   a stout branching annual with large yellow to orange flower heads; Mexico and Central America

   French marigold, Tagetes patula

   strong-scented bushy annual with orange or yellow flower heads marked with red; Mexico and Guatemala

   Chrysanthemum ptarmiciflorum, Tanacetum ptarmiciflorum, dusty miller, silver lace, silver-lace

   shrubby perennial of the Canary Islands having white flowers and leaves and hairy stems covered with dustlike down; sometimes placed in genus Chrysanthemum

   Tanacetum vulgare, golden buttons, scented fern, tansy

   common perennial aromatic herb native to Eurasia having buttonlike yellow flower heads and bitter-tasting pinnate leaves sometimes used medicinally

   crown beard, crown-beard, crownbeard

   any plant of the genus Verbesina having clustered white or yellow flower heads

   Zinnia acerosa, white zinnia

   subshrub with slender woolly stems and long narrow leaves and flower heads with white rays; southern United States and northern Mexico

   Zinnia grandiflora, little golden zinnia

   subshrub having short leafy stems and numerous small flower heads with nearly round yellow-orange rays; Arizona south to Mexico and east to Kansas

   orchis

   any of various deciduous terrestrial orchids having fleshy tubers and flowers in erect terminal racemes

   aerides

   any orchid of the genus Aerides

   angrecum

   any of various spectacular orchids of the genus Angraecum having dark green leathery leaves and usually nocturnally scented white or ivory flowers

   jewel orchid

   any of several delicate Asiatic orchids grown especially for their velvety leaves with metallic white or gold veining

   Aplectrum hyemale, adam-and-eve, puttyroot

   North American orchid bearing a single leaf and yellowish-brown flowers

   arethusa

   any of several bog orchids of the genus Arethusa having 1 or 2 showy flowers

   bletia

   any of various orchids of the genus Bletia having pseudobulbs and erect leafless racemes of large purple or pink flowers

   Bletia striata, Bletilla striata

   Japanese orchid with white-striped leaves and slender erect racemes of rose to magenta flowers; often cultivated; sometimes placed in genus Bletia

   brassavola

   any of various tropical American orchids with usually solitary fleshy leaves and showy white to green nocturnally fragrant blossoms solitary or in racemes of up to 7

   Brassia lawrenceana, spider orchid

   South American orchid with spiderlike pale-yellow to pale-green flowers

   Brassia verrucosa, spider orchid

   Central American orchid having spiderlike flowers with prominent green warts

   caladenia

   any of various orchids of the genus Caladenia

   calanthe

   any of various showy orchids of the genus Calanthe having white or yellow or rose-colored flowers and broad leaves folded lengthwise

   Calopogon pulchellum, Calopogon tuberosum, grass pink

   an orchid

   Calypso bulbosa, calypso, fairy-slipper

   rare north temperate bog orchid bearing a solitary white to pink flower marked with purple at the tip of an erect reddish stalk above 1 basal leaf

   Catasetum macrocarpum, jumping orchid

   orchid having both male and female flowers in the same raceme; when a sensitive projection at the base of the column of the male flower is touched the pollen is suddenly ejected

   cattleya

   any orchid of the genus Cattleya characterized by a three-lobed lip enclosing the column; among the most popular and most extravagantly beautiful orchids known

   helleborine

   any of several orchids of the genus Cephalanthera

   Cleistes divaricata, Pogonia divaricata, funnel-crest rosebud orchid, spreading pogonia

   orchid of northeastern United States with magenta-pink flowers having funnel-shaped lip; sometimes placed in genus Pogonia

   Cleistes rosea, Pogonia rosea, rosebud orchid

   orchid of central and northern South America having 1- to 3-blossomed racemes of large showy rose-colored flowers; sometimes placed in genus Pogonia

   Coeloglossum bracteatum, satyr orchid

   orchid with broad ovate leaves and long-bracted green very irregular flowers

   Coeloglossum viride, frog orchid

   orchid having hooded long-bracted green to yellow-green flowers suffused with purple

   coelogyne

   any of various orchids of the genus Coelogyne with: clusters of fragrant lacy snow-white flowers; salmon-pink solitary flowers; chainlike racemes of topaz and chocolate brown flowers; spikes of delicate white spice-scented flowers; emerald green flowers marked with blue-black

   coral root

   a wildflower of the genus Corallorhiza growing from a hard mass of rhizomes associated with a fungus that aids in absorbing nutrients from the forest floor

   helmet orchid, helmetflower

   any of several orchids of the genus Coryanthes having racemes of a few musky-scented waxy flowers with a helmet-shaped lip process

   swan orchid, swan-flower, swan-neck, swanflower, swanneck

   any of several orchids of the genus Cycnoches having slender arching columns of flowers suggesting the neck of a swan

   cymbid, cymbidium

   any of various plants of the genus Cymbidium having narrow leaves and a long drooping cluster of numerous showy and variously colored boat-shaped flowers; extensively hybridized and cultivated as houseplants and important florists' flowers

   cypripedia

   a plant or flower of the genus Cypripedium

   ladies' slipper, lady's slipper, lady-slipper, slipper orchid

   any of several chiefly American wildflowers having an inflated pouchlike lip; difficult or impossible to cultivate in the garden

   marsh orchid

   any of several orchids of the genus Dactylorhiza having fingerlike tuberous roots; Europe and Mediterranean region

   Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Dactylorhiza maculata fuchsii, common spotted orchid

   European orchid having lanceolate leaves spotted purple and pink to white or mauve flowers spotted or lined deep red or purple

   dendrobium

   a plant of the genus Dendrobium having stems like cane and usually showy racemose flowers

   disa

   any orchid of the genus Disa; beautiful orchids with dark green leaves and usually hooded flowers; much prized as emblematic flowers in their native regions

   Eburophyton austinae, phantom orchid, snow orchid

   waxy white nearly leafless plant with stems in clusters and racemes of white flowers; northwestern United States to northern California and east to Idaho

   Cattleya citrina, Encyclia citrina, tulip orchid

   Mexican epiphytic orchid with glaucous grey-green leaves and lemon- to golden-yellow flowers appearing only partially opened; sometimes placed in genus Cattleya

   Encyclia tampensis, Epidendrum tampense, butterfly orchid

   orchid of Florida and the Bahamas having showy brightly colored flowers; sometimes placed in genus Epidendrum

   Encyclia venosa, Epidendrum venosum, butterfly orchid, butterfly orchis

   Mexican epiphytic orchid having pale green or yellow-green flowers with white purple-veined lip

   epidendron

   any of various orchids of the genus Epidendrum

   helleborine

   any of various orchids of the genus Epipactis

   tongue-flower, tongueflower

   orchid having blue to purple flowers with tongue-shaped or strap-shaped protuberances (calli) at the lip base

   helleborine, rattlesnake plantain

   any of several small temperate and tropical orchids having mottled or striped leaves and spikes of small yellowish-white flowers in a twisted raceme

   Gymnadenia conopsea, fragrant orchid

   European orchid having dense spikes of fragrant pink or lilac or red flowers with conspicuous spurs

   Gymnadenia odoratissima, short-spurred fragrant orchid

   similar to Gymnadenia conopsea but with smaller flowers on shorter stems and having much shorter spurs

   fringed orchid, fringed orchis

   any of several summer-flowering American orchids distinguished by a fringed or lacerated lip

   frog orchid

   any of several green orchids of the genus Habenaria

   rein orchid, rein orchis

   any of several American wildflowers with a kidney-shaped lip

   Hexalectris spicata, crested coral root

   orchid with yellowish-brown flowers with dark veins; southeastern Arizona to the eastern United States

   Hexalectris warnockii, Texas purple spike

   orchid with slender nearly leafless reddish-brown stems with loose racemes of reddish-brown flowers; of open brushy woods of southeastern Arizona and central Texas

   Himantoglossum hircinum, lizard orchid

   an orchid of the genus Himantoglossum

   laelia

   any of various spectacular plants of the genus Laelia having showy flowers in many colors

   liparis

   an orchid of the genus Liparis having few leaves and usually fairly small yellow-green or dull purple flowers in terminal racemes

   twayblade

   an orchid of the genus Liparis having a pair of leaves

   Liparis loeselii, fen orchid, fen orchis

   small terrestrial orchid of eastern North America and Europe having two nearly basal leaves and dull yellow-green racemose flowers

   Listera convallarioides, broad-leaved twayblade

   small orchid with two elliptic leaves and a slender raceme of small green flowers; western North America

   Listera cordata, lesser twayblade

   orchid having two triangular leaves and a short lax raceme of green to rust-colored flowers with the lip flushed mauve; Europe and Asia and North America and Greenland

   Listera ovata, twayblade

   orchid having a pair of ovate leaves and a long slender raceme of green flowers sometimes tinged red-brown; Europe to central Asia

   Malaxis ophioglossoides, Malaxis-unifolia, green adder's mouth

   North American orchid having a solitary leaf and flowers with threadlike petals

   masdevallia

   any of numerous orchids of the genus Masdevallia; tufted evergreen often diminutive plants whose flowers in a remarkable range of colors usually resemble a tricorn with sepals fused at the base to form a tube

   maxillaria

   any of numerous orchids of the genus Maxillaria often cultivated for their large brilliantly colored solitary flowers

   pansy orchid

   any of various orchids of the genus Miltonia having solitary or loosely racemose showy broadly spreading flowers

   odontoglossum

   any of numerous and diverse orchids of the genus Odontoglossum having racemes of few to many showy usually large flowers in many colors

   butterfly orchid, butterfly plant, dancing lady orchid, oncidium

   any orchid of the genus Oncidium: characterized by slender branching sprays of small yellow and brown flowers; often grown as houseplants

   Ophrys apifera, bee orchid

   European orchid whose flowers resemble bumble bees in shape and color

   Ophrys insectifera, Ophrys muscifera, fly orchid

   European orchid whose flowers resemble flies

   spider orchid

   any of several European orchids of the genus Ophrys

   Venus' slipper, Venus's shoe, Venus's slipper

   any of various orchids of the genus Paphiopedilum having slender flower stalks bearing 1 to several waxy flowers with pouchlike lips

   phaius

   an orchid of the genus Phaius having large plicate leaves and racemes of showy flowers

   moth orchid, moth plant

   any of various orchids of the genus Phalaenopsis having often drooping glossy broad obovate or oval leaves usually dark green flushed purple or mottled grey and silver

   rattlesnake orchid

   any of various orchids of the genus Pholidota having numerous white to brown flowers in spiraling racemes clothed in slightly inflated bracts and resembling a rattlesnake's tail

   Habenaria bifolia, Platanthera bifolia, lesser butterfly orchid

   south European orchid having fragrant greenish-white flowers; sometimes placed in genus Habenaria

   Habenaria chlorantha, Platanthera chlorantha, greater butterfly orchid

   south European orchid with dark green flowers that are larger and less fragrant than Platanthera bifolia; sometimes placed in genus Habenaria

   Platanthera leucophea, prairie white-fringed orchid

   of central North America; a threatened species

   tangle orchid

   an orchid of the genus Plectorrhiza having tangled roots and long wiry stems bearing lax racemes of small fragrant green flowers

   Indian crocus

   any of several dwarf orchids of the genus Pleione bearing one or two solitary white or pink to magenta or occasionally yellow flowers with slender stalks

   pleurothallis

   any of numerous small tufted orchids of the genus Pleurothallis having leathery to fleshy leaves and racemes of 1 to many small flowers

   pogonia

   any hardy bog orchid of the genus Pogonia: terrestrial orchids having slender rootstocks and erect stems bearing one or a few leaves and a solitary terminal flower

   butterfly orchid

   any orchid of the genus Psychopsis: spectacular large tiger-striped orchids

   greenhood, helmet orchid

   any of numerous orchids of the genus Pterostylis having leaves in a basal rosette and green flowers often striped purple or brown or red with the dorsal sepal incurved to form a hood

   foxtail orchid

   any of various orchids of the genus Rhyncostylis having pink- to purple-marked white flowers in a dense cylindrical raceme

   Sarcochilus falcatus, orange-blossom orchid

   diminutive Australian orchid with loose racemes of fragrant white flowers with purple and orange markings on the lip

   sobralia

   any of various showy orchids of the genus Sobralia having leafy stems and bright-colored solitary or racemose flowers similar to those of genus Cattleya

   ladies' tresses, lady's tresses

   an orchid of the genus Spiranthes having slender often twisted spikes of white flowers

   stanhopea

   any of various orchids of the genus Stanhopea having a single large leaf and loose racemes of large fragrant flowers of various colors; Mexico to Brazil

   stelis

   any of various small tropical American orchids of the genus Stelis having long slender racemes of numerous small to minute flowers

   fly orchid

   any of several dwarf creeping orchids with small bizarre insect-like hairy flowers on slender stalks

   vanda

   any of numerous showy orchids of the genus Vanda having many large flowers in loose racemes

   vanilla

   any of numerous climbing plants of the genus Vanilla having fleshy leaves and clusters of large waxy highly fragrant white or green or topaz flowers

   Shortia galacifolia, oconee bells

   plant of southeastern United States having solitary white funnel-shaped flowers flushed with pink and large glossy green leaves that turn bronze-red in fall

   Centaurium calycosum, rosita

   erect plant with small clusters of pink trumpet-shaped flowers of southwestern United States

   Centaurium minus, lesser centaury

   common European glabrous annual centaury with flowers in dense cymes

   Centaurium scilloides, tufted centaury

   tufted perennial of western Europe and Azores having bright pink to white flowers

   seaside centaury

   a variety of centaury found at the seaside

   broad leaved centaury

   a variety of centaury with broad leaves

   slender centaury

   a slender variety of centaury

   Gentiana acaulis, gentianella

   low-growing alpine plant cultivated for its dark glossy green leaves in basal rosettes and showy solitary bell-shaped blue flowers

   Gentiana andrewsii, blind gentian, bottle gentian, closed gentian

   gentian of eastern North America having tubular blue or white flowers that open little if at all

   Gentiana calycosa, explorer's gentian

   tufted sometimes sprawling perennial with blue flowers spotted with green; western North America

   Gentiana clausa, blind gentian, closed gentian

   similar to Gentiana andrewsii but with larger flowers

   Gentiana lutea, great yellow gentian

   robust European perennial having clusters of yellow flowers

   Gentiana pneumonanthe, calathian violet, marsh gentian

   perennial Eurasian gentian with sky-blue funnel-shaped flowers of damp open heaths

   Gentiana saponaria, soapwort gentian

   erect perennial of wet woodlands of North America having leaves and flower buds resembling those of soapwort

   Gentiana villosa, striped gentian

   a perennial marsh gentian of eastern North America

   Gentiana quinquefolia, Gentianella quinquefolia, ague weed, agueweed, five-flowered gentian, stiff gentian

   gentian of eastern North America having clusters of bristly blue flowers

   felwort, gentianella amarella

   gentian of Europe and China having creamy white flowers with fringed corollas

   fringed gentian

   any of various herbs of the genus Gentianopsis having the margins of the corolla lobes fringed; sometimes included in genus Gentiana

   spurred gentian

   any of various plants of the genus Halenia having flowers with spurred lobes

   fibrous-rooted begonia

   any of numerous begonias having fibrous rather than tuberous or rhizomatous roots

   tuberous begonia

   any of numerous begonias having large tuberous roots

   rhizomatous begonia

   any of numerous begonias having prominent shaggy creeping stems or rhizomes

   Begonia cheimantha, Christmas begonia, blooming-fool begonia

   hybrid winter-blooming begonia grown for its many large pink flowers

   Begonia cocchinea, angel-wing begonia

   South American fibrous-rooted begonias having prominent basal leaf lobes suggesting angels' wings and racemes of coral-red flowers

   Begonia dregei, grape-leaf begonia, maple-leaf begonia

   tuberous or semi-tuberous South African begonia having shallowly lobed ovate leaves and small white flowers

   Begonia erythrophylla, Begonia feastii, beefsteak begonia, kidney begonia

   rhizomatous begonia with roundish fleshy leaves reddish colored beneath

   Begonia heracleifolia, star begonia, star-leaf begonia

   rhizomatous begonia having leaves with pointed lobes suggestive of stars and pink flowers

   Begonia rex, beefsteak geranium, king begonia, painted-leaf begonia, rex begonia

   any of numerous usually rhizomatous hybrid begonias derived from an East Indian plant having rough-textured leaves patterned in silver and bronze and purple and red-brown with inconspicuous flowers

   Begonia semperflorens, wax begonia

   hybrid fibrous-rooted begonia having broad-ovate green to bronze-red leaves and small clusters of white or pink or red flowers; widely used as a bedding plant

   Begonia socotrana, Socotra begonia

   semi-tuberous begonia having peltate leaves and rose-pink flowers; Yemen

   Uvularia grandiflora, cornflower, strawflower

   plant of southern and southeastern United States grown for its yellow flowers that can be dried

   Scabiosa atropurpurea, mournful widow, pincushion flower, sweet scabious

   Old World annual having fragrant purple to deep crimson flower heads; naturalized in United States

   Scabiosa arvensis, field scabious

   perennial having bluish-lilac flowers; introduced in the eastern United States

   Cape primrose

   any of various African plants of the genus Streptocarpus widely cultivated especially as houseplants for their showy blue or purple flowers

   California bluebell, Phacelia campanularia

   annual of southern California with intricately branched stems and lax cymes of aromatic deep blue bell-shaped flowers

   California bluebell, Phacelia minor, Phacelia whitlavia, whitlavia

   desert plant of southern California with blue or violet tubular flowers in terminal racemes

   Phacelia tanacetifolia, fiddleneck

   hairy annual of California to Mexico with crowded cymes of small blue to lilac or mauve flowers

   Antirrhinum coulterianum, white snapdragon

   California plant with slender racemes of white flowers

   Antirrhinum filipes, yellow twining snapdragon

   southwestern United States plant with yellow flowers on stems that twist and twine through other vegetation

   Antirrhinum majus, Mediterranean snapdragon

   perennial native to the Mediterranean but widely cultivated for its purple or pink flowers

   Linaria canadensis, blue toadflax, old-field toadflax

   North American plant having racemes of blue-violet flowers

   Veronica agrestis, field speedwell

   European plant with minute axillary blue flowers on long stalks; widely naturalized in America

   Veronica arvensis, corn speedwell

   erect or procumbent blue-flowered annual found in waste places of Europe and America

   Veronica chamaedrys, bird's eye, germander speedwell

   Old World plant with axillary racemes of blue-and-white flowers

   Veronica officinalis, common speedwell, gypsyweed

   common hairy European perennial with pale blue or lilac flowers in axillary racemes

   Veronica peregrina, purslane speedwell

   North American annual with small white flowers widely naturalized as a weed in South America and Europe

   Veronica serpyllifolia, thyme-leaved speedwell

   perennial decumbent herb having small opposite leaves and racemes of blue flowers; throughout Eurasia and the New World

   Petunia axillaris, large white petunia

   annual herb having large nocturnally fragrant white flowers

   Petunia integrifolia, violet-flowered petunia

   herb or small shrublet having solitary violet to rose-red flowers

   Petunia hybrida, hybrid petunia

   hybrids of Petunia axillaris and Petunia integrifolia: a complex group of petunias having single or double flowers in colors from white to purple

   Valeriana officinalis, common valerian, garden heliotrope

   tall rhizomatous plant having very fragrant flowers and rhizomes used medicinally

   type of:

   angiosperm, flowering plant

   plants having seeds in a closed ovary
3. verb

   produce or yield flowers
   synonyms: bloom, blossom

   types:

   burst forth, effloresce

   come into or as if into flower

   type of:

   develop

   grow, progress, unfold, or evolve through a process of evolution, natural growth, differentiation, or a conducive environment
4. noun

   the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
   synonyms: bloom, blossom, efflorescence, flush, heyday, peak, prime

   types:

   golden age

   a time period when some activity or skill was at its peak

   type of:

   period, period of time, time period

   an amount of time