Who is called the mother of American modernism?
Georgia O'Keeffe is often called the "Mother of American modernism," and she's famous for her huge, close-up paintings of flowers.
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Flower Facts
Flower facts and facts about flowers, from the Random Facts shelf.
125 facts on this shelf
What is the most expensive painting by a female artist?
Georgia O'Keeffe's "Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1" sold for about $44.4 million in 2014, a record for a female artist at the time.
Did O'Keeffe agree with interpretations of her flowers?
Georgia O'Keeffe rejected Freudian interpretations of her flower paintings.
What are broccoli florets?
Broccoli florets are flower buds, and they bloom into yellow flowers if left alone.
How old are roses?
Fossil evidence shows that roses existed about 35 million years ago, long before humans.
What is the national flower of the US?
The rose became the official national flower of the US in 1986, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.
Do roses have thorns?
Technically, roses don't have thorns. Their sharp points are called prickles because they grow from the outer layer of the stem.
Why did Britain collect rose hips during WWII?
During WWII, Britain collected wild rose hips to make vitamin C syrup for children when citrus fruit was scarce.
How many rose species are there?
There are about 150 species of wild roses and thousands of cultivated varieties.
What is the oldest living rose?
A rose bush at Germany's Hildesheim Cathedral is believed to be about 1,000 years old and survived the bombing of the cathedral in WWII.
Why is Portland called the City of Roses?
Portland, Oregon, is known as the "City of Roses" and is home to the International Rose Test Garden, the oldest public rose test garden in the US still in operation.
How many rose petals does it take to make rose oil?
It takes thousands of pounds of rose petals to make a single pound of rose oil, much of which comes from Bulgaria's Rose Valley.
When did the Rose Parade begin?
The Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, began in 1890.
Are there blue roses?
Blue roses don't exist in nature, but scientists used genetic engineering to create a bluish rose in 2004.
What was tulip mania?
During "tulip mania" in the Netherlands in 1637, some rare tulip bulbs sold for more than the price of a house.
Where did tulips originally come from?
Tulips originally came from Central Asia and were grown in the Ottoman Empire before reaching the Netherlands.
Where does the word "tulip" come from?
The word "tulip" comes from a Turkish word for turban, because of the flower's shape.
What caused striped tulips?
The famous striped "broken" tulips of tulip mania were caused by a virus.
Did people eat tulip bulbs during WWII?
During the Dutch "Hunger Winter" of 1944 to 1945, people ate tulip bulbs to survive.
Why does Ottawa have a tulip festival?
Ottawa's Canadian Tulip Festival began after the Netherlands gave Canada tulips to thank it for sheltering the Dutch royal family during WWII.
How many bulbs are planted at Keukenhof?
Keukenhof garden in the Netherlands plants about 7 million flower bulbs every year.
Do tulips grow after being cut?
Tulips keep growing after they're cut.
Where is the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival?
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is held in Washington state.
Are there black tulips?
There are no truly black tulips. The darkest ones are deep purple.
Do sunflowers follow the sun?
Young sunflowers track the sun across the sky, but mature sunflowers stop moving and face east.
Is a sunflower one flower?
A sunflower head is actually made of hundreds or even thousands of tiny individual flowers.
How are sunflower seeds arranged?
Sunflower seeds are arranged in spirals that follow the Fibonacci sequence.
What is the tallest sunflower?
The tallest sunflower on record was just over 30 feet tall.
What is the state flower of Kansas?
The sunflower is the state flower of Kansas.
Where are sunflowers native?
Sunflowers are native to North America and were domesticated by Native Americans.
Can sunflowers clean up radiation?
Sunflowers have been planted at nuclear disaster sites to help pull radioactive materials out of the soil.
What is Ukraine's national flower?
The sunflower is a national symbol of Ukraine.
Why did sunflower oil become popular in Russia?
Sunflower oil became popular in Russia partly because it wasn't on the Russian Orthodox Church's list of foods banned during Lent.
Are sunflower seeds healthy?
Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E.
Are lilies dangerous to cats?
Lilies are extremely toxic to cats, and even a little pollen can cause kidney failure.
Where are most Easter lilies grown?
Most Easter lily bulbs sold in the US are grown in a small area on the California-Oregon border.
Is a calla lily a true lily?
The calla lily isn't a true lily.
How long does a daylily flower last?
Daylilies aren't true lilies, and each flower lasts only about one day.
Is the fleur-de-lis a lily?
The fleur-de-lis symbol is probably based on an iris, not a lily.
How many species of true lilies are there?
There are about 100 species of true lilies.
Can lily pollen stain clothes?
Lily pollen can stain clothes.
What is the Madonna lily?
The Madonna lily is one of the oldest cultivated flowers.
Can you eat lily bulbs?
Some lily bulbs are eaten in Chinese cooking.
Are water lilies true lilies?
Water lilies aren't true lilies.
How many species of orchids are there?
Orchids are one of the largest plant families, with about 28,000 species.
Where does vanilla come from?
Vanilla comes from the seed pods of an orchid.
How do orchid seeds grow?
Orchid seeds are as fine as dust and usually need help from fungi to sprout.
How does the bee orchid trick bees?
The bee orchid tricks male bees by mimicking the look and scent of female bees.
What is the ghost orchid?
The ghost orchid is a rare, leafless orchid found in Florida swamps.
Where does the word "orchid" come from?
The word "orchid" comes from the Greek word for testicle, because of the shape of its roots.
Where do orchids grow?
Orchids grow on every continent except Antarctica.
What was orchidelirium?
"Orchidelirium" was a Victorian craze for collecting orchids.
What is the most expensive orchid?
A rare Shenzhen Nongke orchid sold for about $200,000 in 2005.
What is the most common orchid houseplant?
The moth orchid is the most common orchid houseplant.
Where does the name "daisy" come from?
The name "daisy" comes from "day's eye," because the flower opens in the morning and closes at night.
Is a daisy one flower?
A daisy is actually two kinds of tiny flowers grouped together: the yellow center and the white petals.
What is "loves me, loves me not"?
"Loves me, loves me not" is a game where people pull petals off a daisy.
How big is the daisy family?
The daisy family is one of the largest plant families, with about 32,000 species.
Can you eat daisies?
Common lawn daisies are edible.
Are oxeye daisies invasive?
The oxeye daisy is an invasive weed in parts of North America.
Where does "pushing up daisies" come from?
The phrase "pushing up daisies" became popular during WWI.
What was the first song sung by a computer?
"Daisy Bell" was the first song sung by a computer, in 1961.
Who are Gerbera daisies named after?
Gerbera daisies are named after Traugott Gerber.
Who created the Shasta daisy?
The Shasta daisy was created by plant breeder Luther Burbank.
Why are carnations linked to Mother's Day?
The carnation became the symbol of Mother's Day because it was the favorite flower of founder Anna Jarvis's mother.
What is Ohio's state flower?
The red carnation is Ohio's state flower in honor of President William McKinley.
Why did Oscar Wilde wear a green carnation?
Oscar Wilde made the green carnation a fashion statement.
What was the Carnation Revolution?
Portugal's Carnation Revolution of 1974 was a mostly peaceful coup, named after the carnations people put in soldiers' guns.
Why do Oxford students wear carnations?
Oxford students wear carnations to their exams.
What does "Dianthus" mean?
The carnation's genus name, Dianthus, means "flower of the gods."
How are carnations dyed?
Carnations can be dyed by putting their stems in colored water.
How long do cut carnations last?
Cut carnations can last two to three weeks in a vase.
Which country exports the most carnations?
Colombia is a major exporter of carnations.
What is Spain's national flower?
The carnation is Spain's national flower.
How long can lotus seeds survive?
Lotus seeds found in China were still able to sprout after about 1,300 years.
What is the lotus effect?
Lotus leaves have a "lotus effect," a surface that repels water and cleans itself.
Can lotus flowers control their temperature?
Lotus flowers can keep their temperature warm even when the air is cooler.
What is India's national flower?
The lotus is India's national flower.
Why is the lotus sacred?
The lotus is sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism.
Can you eat lotus root?
Lotus root is eaten in many Asian cuisines.
Is a lotus a water lily?
The lotus isn't a water lily.
What is the Lotus Temple?
The Lotus Temple in New Delhi is a Bahá'í house of worship shaped like a lotus.
Was the Egyptian blue lotus a lotus?
The Egyptian "blue lotus" is actually a water lily.
What is the lotus position?
The lotus position is a seated pose in yoga and meditation.
Where does the word "lavender" come from?
The word "lavender" likely comes from the Latin "lavare," meaning "to wash."
When do Provence's lavender fields bloom?
The lavender fields of Provence, France, bloom in June and July.
Do bees like lavender?
Lavender attracts bees.
Where is the Lavender Capital of North America?
Sequim, Washington, calls itself the Lavender Capital of North America.
Where are Japan's famous lavender fields?
Furano, on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, is famous for its lavender fields.
What plant family is lavender in?
Lavender is in the mint family.
Does lavender help you relax?
Some studies suggest the scent of lavender can help people relax.
Can lavender oil affect hormones?
A 2007 NIH study linked lavender oil to breast growth in some young boys.
Did the Romans use lavender?
Ancient Romans used lavender in their baths.
Is the color lavender named after the flower?
The color lavender is named after the flower.
Why are daffodils called Narcissus?
The daffodil's scientific name, Narcissus, comes from a Greek myth about a man who fell in love with his own reflection.
Can daffodils harm other flowers?
Daffodil sap can harm other cut flowers in the same vase.
What is the national flower of Wales?
The daffodil is a national flower of Wales and is worn on St. David's Day.
Who wrote a famous poem about daffodils?
William Wordsworth wrote a famous poem about daffodils.
Why is the daffodil a symbol of cancer charities?
The daffodil is a symbol for several cancer charities.
Is there medicine made from daffodils?
Galantamine, a drug used to treat Alzheimer's disease, can be made from daffodils.
Which wedding anniversary is the daffodil linked to?
The daffodil is the flower for the 10th wedding anniversary.
Do deer eat daffodils?
Deer and squirrels usually avoid daffodils.
How many kinds of daffodils are there?
There are about 13,000 cultivated varieties of daffodils.
Are daffodils poisonous?
People have been poisoned after mistaking daffodil bulbs for onions.
What is Indiana's state flower?
The peony is Indiana's state flower.
Where does the name "peony" come from?
The peony is named after Paeon, a physician to the Greek gods.
Why are there ants on peonies?
Ants on peony buds are harmless and are attracted to their sweet nectar.
How long can peonies live?
Peony plants can live for 100 years.
Why is the peony called the king of flowers in China?
In China, the peony is called the "king of flowers," and the city of Luoyang holds a famous peony festival.
What are Itoh peonies?
Itoh peonies are hybrids of tree peonies and herbaceous peonies.
Why does Alaska grow peonies?
Alaska grows peonies that bloom later than those grown elsewhere.
Which wedding anniversary is the peony linked to?
The peony is the flower for the 12th wedding anniversary.
Is peony root used in medicine?
Peony root is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
How long do peonies bloom?
Peonies bloom for about a week to 10 days.
What is the Chrysanthemum Throne?
The chrysanthemum is the symbol of Japan's imperial family, whose throne is called the Chrysanthemum Throne.
Why are chrysanthemums linked to death in Europe?
In many European countries, chrysanthemums are placed on graves for All Saints' Day.
Is there insecticide made from chrysanthemums?
Pyrethrin, a natural insecticide, comes from chrysanthemums.
Do chrysanthemums clean the air?
A NASA study found that chrysanthemums can remove some pollutants from indoor air.
What is Chicago's official flower?
The chrysanthemum is Chicago's official flower.
What is ozukuri?
Japanese gardeners train a single chrysanthemum plant to grow hundreds of blooms in a style called ozukuri.
Can you drink chrysanthemums?
Chrysanthemum tea is popular in China.
What is November's birth flower?
The chrysanthemum is November's birth flower.
What does "chrysanthemum" mean?
"Chrysanthemum" comes from Greek words meaning "gold flower."
How long have chrysanthemums been grown in China?
Chrysanthemums have been grown in China for about 3,000 years.
What inspired the Burj Khalifa's shape?
The Burj Khalifa's Y-shaped design was inspired by a desert flower called the Hymenocallis.