Jungle Flowers Information
Many familiar flowers originated overseas in jungles. Flowering plants attract pollinators (such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds) by color, shape and scent. Flowers in the world's jungles adapted into thousands of species. They provide habitat, fragrance, food and medicine.
Other People Are Reading
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Indonesia and Malaysia
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Hydrangea The world's largest flower, at 3 feet wide, is the Rafflesia arnoldii in Indonesia. It mimics a rotting meat odor to attract flies for pollination. Other native flowers include hydrangea, heliconias (lobster claw and others) and ylang-ylang, used for fragrance and medicinal purposes.
Africa
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Flower and pollinator The familiar African violet, delphiniums, countless lilies and orchids and the otherworldly protea are all native to Africa.
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South America
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Heliconias, such as birds of paradise, rely on pollination via hummingbirds. They bloom in bright reds and orange to lure the birds. Also among the Amazon's exotic blooms are orchids, giant water lilies and ginger.
Galapagos
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Passion flower The Galapagos flowers include daisies and passion flower. "Most flowers of native Galapagos plants are yellow or white, and this may be due to the relative lack of pollinating insects," according to junglephotos.com.
Hawaii
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Hibiscus Some varieties of orchid and hibiscus are native to Hawaii. Many flowers associated with Hawaii are imported.
Preserving Our Planet's Treasures
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The full story of our world's jungle flowers and their potential uses to humanity, including medicinally, is yet unknown. The best hope of saving these species and their ecosystems is via preservation efforts.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Ryan Kozie Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of merec0 Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Richard Fisher Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Cliff Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Gilberto Santa Rosa
