FLOWER COLLECTIONS

Flowers are ubiquitous in nature providing food for insects, birds, animals, and humans; they also act as natural medicines for humans and some animals, and they aid in a plant's reproduction by attracting pollinators.  Flowers have played a significant role in our lives for many centuries. Flowers are considered to be a symbol of love, beauty, and a natural gift. We use flowers to elicit feelings of love and happiness because they have the ability to uplift and cheer people. Flowers have played a significant role in our lives for many centuries.The BSED Science Virtual Museum of Natural History's Flower collections have curated a collection of flower specimens from the Philippines to showcase their environmental, cultural, and medical importance.

ROSE, APPLES, PEARS, ALMONDS, AND CHERRIES ARE RELATED TO EACH OTHER – 

THEY BELONG TO THE SAME FAMILY!

The family ‘Rosaceae’ is one of the most economically important crop plant families. It includes roses, apples, pears, quinces, medlars, loquats, almonds, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and sloes.

Convention on Biological Diversity. 

LA THREENIDAD BENGUET

Order : Asterales

Artemisia annua (Linnaeus, 1753)

Kingdom: Plantae Division: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: AsteralesFamily: AsteraceaeGenus: ArtemisaSpecies: Artemisa annuaCurator: Princess Charmaine C. Belaro, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0087
A. annua, commonly known as sagewort or mugwort, is an annual herb native to Asia that has an aromatic scent. It typically grows in summer for about 3 to 6 meters tall. The leaves of mugworts are deeply dissected. The stem is erect in brownish or violet-brown color. In China, it is used as a traditional herb to treat fever, inflammation and malaria (Johnson et al., 2018).

Chryssanthemum morifolium (Ramat, 1792)

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: AsteralesFamily: AsteraceaeGenus: ChrysanthemumSpecies: Chrysanthemum morifoliumCurator: Justin Lou C. Turdil, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0104
Chryssanthemum morifolium, commonly known as florist's daisy and hardy garden mum is a species of herbaceous perennial that is characterized by deeply lobed, dark green, and upright leaves (Myers et al., 2016). Its flower heads have a range of colors from yellow, white, and purple. This perennial plant is compact and clump-forming. It typically grows 2 to 3 feet high. The C. morifolium is native to  Asia and northeastern Europe. It typically blooms during the late winter season. The daisy requires natural light to grow healthy and with average humidity.

Cosmos bipinnatus (Cavanilles, 1971)

Kingdom: Plantae Division: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: AsteralesFamily: AsteraceaeGenus: Cosmos Cav.Species: Cosmos bipinnatus Cav.Curator: Aira Marie B. Cometa, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0094
C. bipinnatus, also known as Garden Cosmos,  is an annual, upright, hairy stemmed plant with medium green leaves that grows up to 3 feet tall in an unshaded area or completely exposed area. Its flower bud appears like tiny flat disks with about 1/8 inches in diameter. The flower head is known for its colorful foliage ranging between mauve to magenta with red, pink, or white rays that blooms from early summer to autumn(Leslie, 2005).   C. bipinnatus is typically used as an ornamental plant and is utilized in extracting essential oils. It is introduced in the Philippines and is native in Mexico. The genus name of C. bipinnatus comes from the Greek word kosmos which means beautiful while its specific epithet means having bipinnate leaves (North Carolina State University, 2018).

Cosmos sulphureus (Cavaniller, 1791)

Kingdom: Plantae Division: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: AsteralesFamily: AsteraceaeGenus: Cosmos Cav.Species:  Cosmos sulphureus Cav.Curator: Aira Marie B. Cometa, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0093
C. sulphureus, commonly known as Sulfur Cosmos or  Klondike Cosmos, is an annual, upright daisy-like flower plant with foliage of yellow petals with 2.5 inches in diameter (Puttock, 2017). It is native in Mexico and has been introduced and cultivated in tropical climate countries such as Philippines. This plant can grow up to 6 feet tall and has lanceolate leaves that have 2 to 3 pinnate (Acevedo-Rodriguez and Strong, 2012). It commonly grows in an open shrubland, roadsides and other disturbed areas in full sunlight area. In Philippines, it is used as an ornamental potted plant while in Europe, it is utilized as textile crafts in dyeing wool. 

Dendranthema indicum (Des Moul, 1855)

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: MagnoliophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: AsteralesFamily: AsteraceaeGenus: DendranthemaSpecies: Dendranthema indicumCurator: Princess Charmaine C. Belaro, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0090
Dendranthema indicum is native in Himalayas to China to N. Indo-China, Korea, Japan (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2019) Dendranthema indicum is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.60 meters tall. It is harvested from the wild for local use as food, medicine, and sources of materials. Found wild in most habitats). Grasslands on mountain slopes, thickets, wet places by rivers, fields, roadsides, saline places by seashores, under shrubs 100 - 2900 m. Nearly throughout China (Flora of China,1994).

Zinnia violacea (Cavanilles, 1791)

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: AsteralesFamily: AsteraceaeGenus: ZinniaSpecies: Zinnia violacea Cav.Curator: Aira Marie B. Cometa, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0092
Z. violacea, commonly known as Zinnia, are bushy, leafy annuals that grow 1-3' (sometimes up to 4') tall on straight, hairy, branching stems. All contain semi-double to double, dahlia-like flowers or rolled-petal flowers. They bloom continuously from summer through fall in cool summer regions but may slow down slightly at the peak of summer, especially if affected by fungal infections. Good air circulation helps in the prevention of fungal leaf diseases. Powdery mildew, leaf spots, root rots, and blights can all affect Z. violacea. Also, it grows best in full sun on uniformly wet and well-drained soils.

Order: Asparagales

Phalaenopsis amabilis(Blume, 1825)

Kingdom: PlantaeDivision: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: AsparagalesFamily: OrchidaceaeGenus: PhalaenopsisSpecies: Phalaenopsis amabilisCurator: Emmanuel B. Palola, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0084

Phalaenopsis amabilis or moth orchid is widely cultivated as an ornamental houseplant. It is widely distributed from Palawan in the southern Philippines to Borneo, Sumatra, and Java. It is an epiphytic or lithophytic herb with long, thick roots, between two and eight thick, fleshy leaves with their bases hiding the stem and nearly flat, white, long-lasting flowers on a branching flowering stem with up to ten flowers on each branch. It is called moth orchids because its flowers have a resemblance to a moth with wings that is slightly open(CABI, 2019). 

Order: Caryophyllales

Celosia argentea (Linnaeus, 1753)

Kingdom: Plantae Division: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: CaryophyllalesFamily: AmaranthaceaeGenus:  CelosiaSpecies: Celosia argenteaCurator: Emmanuel B. Palola, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0085
Celosia is a genus of edible and ornamental herbaceous annuals and perennials in the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae) native to Africa, North America, and South America. Particularly Celosia argentea var. spicata is abundant in tropical regions. Celosia argentea is a summer annual or short-lived perennial grown as an ornamental for its distinctive, erect flower spikes sort of reminiscent of a sheaf of wheat that gives it the common name of wheat celosia. Branches with many strong stems to form a bushy but open, upright plant up to 2 feet wide and 3 or more feet tall (Mahr, 2021). 

Dianthus caryophyllus (Linnaeus, 1753)

Kingdom: Plantae Division: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: CaryophyllalesFamily: CaryophyllaceaeGenus: DianthusSpecies: Dianthus caryophyllusCurator: Jamie A. Alvarez, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0082
Dianthus caryophyllus, commonly called carnation or clove pink, is a loosely-tufted, woody-based herbaceous perennial that features fragrant, pink, purple-pink, or white often double flowers on stiff 30-inch-tall stems clad with narrow, linear, gray-green leaves. It is native to the Mediterranean area. Thus, it is easily grown in average, evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun.

Gypsophila elegans (M. Bieb, 1808)

Kingdom: Plantae Division: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: CaryophyllalesFamily: CaryophyllalesGenus: GypsophilaSpecies: Gypsophila elegansCurator: Princess Charmaine C. Belaro, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0088
G. elegans is the annual form of Baby's Breath. The blooms are larger and more open than the perennial form used by florists. It is frequently found in wildflower mixtures and has moderate drought tolerance. Excessive rain can cause baby’s breath to develop root rot problems. Plants will grow quickly from seed, just lightly covered with soil, and can tolerate a light frost. It is a very short-lived annual dying after only 5 - 6 weeks but can be planted every 3-4 weeks until July to ensure continuous blooming.

Rivina humilis (Linnaeus, 1753)

Kingdom: Plantae Division: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: CaryophyllalesFamily: PetiveriaceaeGenus: RivinaSpecies: Rivina humilisCurator: Gabriel R. Fetalvero, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0095
Rivina humilis, also known as Pigeon berry and Bloodberry, is a poisonous (to humans) pantropic, a perennial evergreen that can reach up to 1.5 m, bearing red glossy fruits (Nellis, 1997). Extract of its berries has been used as colorant for spreads and beverages (Khan et al., 2015). Its betalain-rich extract has been observed to be cytotoxic against invitro cancer cells (Khan et al., 2012).

Order: Cucurbitales

Cucurbita sp. (Linnaeus, 1753)

Kingdom: Plantae Division: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: CucurbitalesFamily: CucurbitaceaeGenus: CucurbitaSpecies: Cucurbita sp.Curator: Sherwin R. Sinajonon, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0100
Cucurbita sp. is an annual or short-lived perennial herbaceous vines that develop yellow or orange flowers (Doring, 2021). This plant is also known as squash or pumpkin. The female flowers of Cucurbita sp., have thick pedicels and ovaries that produce fruit. The male flowers typically have 5 stamens and short calyx which produce the pollen. These flowers grow in a single leaf axil with five fused petals and a green bell-shaped calyx.

Order: Gentianales

Calotropis gigantea (Barooah & Ahmed, 2014)

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Spermatophyta Class: Dicotyledonae Order: Gentianales Family: Apocynaceae Genus: Calotropis Species: Calotropis giganteaCurator: Jhonathan G. Ampo, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0103
Calotropis gigantea commonly called crown flower or giant milkweed, is a large shrub or small tree that is native to India, southern China, Malaysia and Indonesia, but has been extensively cultivated in tropical areas around the world. This milkweed family member typically grows to 8-15' tall. It's notable feature is it's upright growth, milky sap, pale purple or white crown-like flowers, and white wooly shoots and leaves which mature to subglabrous. It also has an elliptic to oblong leaves (to 4-8" long).

Plumeria obtusa (Linnaeus, 1753)

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: MagnoliophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: Gentianales Family: Apocynaceae Genus: PlumeriaSpecies: Plumeria obtusa Curator: Jhonathan G. Ampo, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0104
Plumeria obtusa, commonly called pagoda tree or white frangipani, is a small, rounded tree of the dogbane family that typically grows to 10-15' feet tall but less frequently to 25' feet tall.  Narrow, obovate, shiny, dark green leaves (to 8" cm long) have blunt tips, hence the specific epithet. Flowers have large, waxy petals that form a funnel shape (9 - 10 cm wide) and it has a white color with a notable yellow color at the middle. Each inflorescence stalk consists of several flowers (18 - 30 cm long). Flowers occur mainly at the branch tips, but also along the sides of branches. 

Wrightia antidysenterica (Brown, 1810)

Kingdom: Plantae Division: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: GentianalesFamily: ApocynaceaeGenus: WrightiaSpecies: Wrightia antidysentericaCurator: Gabriel R. Fetalvero, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0096
W. antidysenterica is native to Sri Lanka, introduced to the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia. Primarily ornamental, this perennial, deciduous plant can grow up to 2 meters, its barks are smooth, leaves are dark green and ovate, and blooms year-round. Its flower is white, star-shaped, with a frilly corona and yellow stamen, and it can grow up to 3cm.  It is an identified herbal medicine in Ayurveda alternative-medicine culture in India that is considered to treat digestive problems such as diarrhea and dysentery (Srivastava, 2014). It is proven as a potent therapeutic emetic agent with no complications showed its clinical benefits over skin disorders like psoriasis (Bhattacharyya, 2016). Its leaf methanol extract has also shown antimicrobial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (Wickramanthe et al., 2015).  

Order: Lamiales

Jasminum sambac (Aiton, 1789)

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: LamialesFamily: OleaceaeGenus: Jasminum Species: Jasminum sambacCurator:Jamie A. Alvarez, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0083
Jasminum sambac commonly known in the Philippines as Sampaguita is a small shrub native to Bhutan and India and widely cultivated for its very fragrant and showy flowers. It is an environmental and garden weed and has a climbing growth habit that can smother other plants. Currently, this species is listed as invasive in Cuba, Hawaii, and Florida in the USA.  (Rojas-Sandoval, 2016).

Lantana camara (Linnaeus, 1753)

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: LamialesFamily: VerbenaceaeGenus: LantanaSpecies: Lantana camaraCurator: Sherwin R. Sinajonon, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0099
L. camara commonly known as lantana, is perennial shrub characterized by small multicolored flowers that are stalked together (Taylor et al., 2012). Its flower is a flat-topped cluster with a variety of colors between yellow, orange, white, pink, or red that is 4cm in size. This shrub can grow up to 2-5m tall with prickles on its stems. This species is widely distributed in  Australia, India, and Asia such as the Philippines.

Lavandula angustifolia (Bubani, 1897)

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: LamialesFamily: LamiaceaeGenus: LavandulaSpecies: Lavandula angustifoliaCurator: Princess Charmaine C. Belaro, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0086
L. angustifolia is a perennial herb up to 35 cm tall. Its foliage, the silvery leaves are softly hairy and linear. They are densely arranged along the stem in pairs where adjacent pairs are perpendicular to one another. The softly hairy stems are square in cross-section. The bluish-purple, trumpet-shaped flowers are densely clustered along a spike inflorescence. This cultivar needs well-drained, slightly acidic potting media, such as one based on peat or bark. It is prone to root rot in wet soils, so allow the soil to dry slightly before re-watering. It requires only light feeding for best growth and is tolerant of infertile soils. 

Order: Poales

Lagurus ovatus (Linnaeus, 1753)

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: PoalesFamily: PoaceaeGenus: LagurusSpecies: Lagurus ovatusCurator: Princess Charmaine C. Belaro, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0091
L. ovatus commonly called Hare’s-tail grass or bunny tail grass, is an annual grass of the family Poaceae, native to the shores of the Mediterranean region. Hare’s-tail grass is cultivated as an ornamental and is commonly used in dried bouquets. L. ovatus commonly called Hare’s-tail grass or bunny tail grass,  is annual grass of the family Poaceae, native to the shores of the Mediterranean region. Hare’s-tail grass is cultivated as an ornamental and is commonly used in dried bouquets. 

Triticum aestivum (Linnaeus, 1753)

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: PoalesFamily: PoaceaeGenus: TriticumSpecies: Triticum aestivumCurator: Princess Charmaine C. Belaro, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0089
T. aestivum is an annual growing to 1.5 m (5ft). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Order: Sapindales

Citrus x microcarpa (Bunge, 2021)

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: MagnoliophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: SapindalesFamily: RutaceaeGenus: CitrusSpecies: Citrus × microcarpaCurator:Gabriel R. Fetalvero, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0097
Citrus microcarpa is a  hybrid of C.reticulata and F. japonica (Wiersema JH, 2019). It is primarily cultivated in the Philippines in which is known as calamansi. It is apparent in Philippine cuisine as it exists as condiments, beverages, preservatives, dishes, and marinades. It is a medium-sized shrub that can grow up to 4 meters tall with simple and elliptical leaves. As its genus suggests, it is lemon-scented. Its fruit is small and round, turning from green to light orange as it ripens. Its peel has been identified as a source of Phenolic compounds that act as antioxidants, reducing the risk of chronic diseases (Singh, 2020). 

Order: Zingiberales

Heliconia collinsiana (Griggs, 1903)

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: TracheophytaClass: Magnoliopsida Order: ZingiberalesFamily: HeliconiaceaeGenus: HeliconiaSpecies: Heliconia collinsianaCurator: Justin Lou C. Turdil, (2021)Collection Code: BSEDSCFP-0105
H. collinsiana, commonly known as lobster claw plant, is an erect herb that typically grown for about 10 to 15 feet in tall. It has waxy white stems and undersides of leaves. The flower of H. collinsiana has colorful foliage that ranges between red to orange. The H. collinsiana is considered as rhizomatous herbaceous species that grows best in fully shaded area. 

References