In the world we find certain places that are home to thousands of species of plants. One of them is Mexico, a country in which more than 25 thousand varieties have been described. There are so many different ones, in fact It is considered the fourth country that houses the most plant biodiversity. And of course, many of them are really pretty Mexican flowers.
The most interesting thing is that many are commercialized and used as ornamental plants. Moreover, I would dare to say that you have or have had one but you did not know that it was originally from this country. But do not worry: here are ten names of Mexican flowers.
Astragalus amphioxys
Image – Wikimedia Commons / Stan Shebs
The Astragalus amphioxys It is a perennial herb native to Mexico and the United States that reaches a height of about 25 centimeters. The leaves are composed of between 7 and 21 pairs of grayish-green leaflets or pinnae. Y its flowers measure about 2 centimeters, and are lilac.
It is a very curious plant, since it is covered by numerous short hairs, which protect it a little from the sun.
Barkeria skinneri
Image – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Barkeria skinneri It is one of the many orchids native to Mexico. This one in particular lives in deciduous forests, from 900 meters of altitude. It grows to a height of about 50 centimeters, and develops stems from which elliptic green leaves sprout from a pseudobulb. Its flowers are pink and emerge from a flower stem about 30 centimeters long during spring and summer.
It lives in places where the climate is tropical and the air humidity is very high, so to be successful with its cultivation we will have to protect it from the cold, and spray it with water if the humidity is low, below 50%.
bletia purpurea
Image – Wikimedia Commons / Bob Peterson
The bletia purpurea It is a terrestrial orchid that is not only found in Mexico, but also in the southern United States to Bolivia. It can reach 1 meters in height when in flower.and for this it develops floral stems with that height, from whose end lilac or pink flowers sprout in spring.
It is common in forests as well as on cliffs. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to grow it, you should try to protect it from direct sun, and plant it in soil with very good drainage.
Dahlia (Dahlia sp)
La dalia it is a plant that, depending on the species, can be a herb or a shrub. In the first case, we would talk about species whose leaves die when the cold arrives and that sprout again in spring; and in the second, they are evergreen plants, that is, they are always green. The leaves can be simple or divided. Y If we talk about the flowers, they appear in summer, and they are large, with very varied colors (white, red, orange, pink, etc.).
Especially in temperate regions, it is widely grown in pots and window boxes, since the varieties that are marketed there are herbaceous, which do not exceed 30 centimeters once they flower. But, regardless of which one you choose, you have to put it in a sunny place and protect it from the cold.
Epiphyllum crenatum
Image – Flickr / Aqiao HQ
The Epiphyllum crenatum It is an epiphytic cactus native to the humid forests of Mexico, as well as other countries such as Guatemala or El Salvador. The leaves are actually green stems that are about 50 centimeters long, and which are also flat. The flowers are large, 20 centimeters in diameter or so, and very fragrant. These open at night, but last a few days.
It is a cactus of great beauty that can be in pots, rockeries, or gardens, as long as it is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Hauay-Che (A seafarer)
Image – colombia.inaturalist.org
The herb known as hauay-che is a perennial plant native to Mexico. It reaches an approximate height of 20 centimeters, and develops prostrate stems, with green leaves. The flowers are small, about 2 centimeters in diameter, and light bluish-lilac in color.
It tolerates sandy soil (beach), since its habitat is precisely that: the coast. But in addition, it is important that it is exposed to direct sunlight.
Jesamine (An elegant chest)
Image – Flickr / Aqiao HQ
Jesamine is an evergreen shrub with pubescent stems native to Mexico. It reaches a height of about 4 meters, and produces elliptical green leaves. The flowers are grouped in terminal inflorescences, and are pink. These can be about 5 centimeters long, so they are very, very showy. They don’t smell like anything though.
Despite what it may seem, it is able to withstand cold and even light frost. Put it in a sunny place and do not neglect watering.
Wild chamomile (erecton pubescens)
Image – Wikimedia Commons
La wild chamomile It is a low-growing perennial herb that does not exceed 40 centimeters in height. It is native to the mixed forests of Mexico, where the climate is temperate. Its leaves are green, and have an elongated shape. The flowers resemble those on daisies, but are smaller.
It is an ideal plant to grow in pots, as well as in the ground together with other plants of a similar size.
Tagetes (raised roofs)
El marigold It is an annual herb native to Mexico, where it is known by the names of zempoal, cempasúchil, or other similar names. It reaches up to 1 meter in height, although it can be below 50 centimeters. The leaves are pinnate and composed of 11-17 dark green leaflets or pinnae. Its flowers, which appear in summer and autumn, are actually inflorescences about 10 centimeters in diameter that can be yellow or orange.
It is a grass that grows very fast, and that also multiplies very easily from seeds, as long as they are sown in spring. Put it in full sun, and water it from time to time.
back-crazy (datura ceratocaula)
Image – enciclovida.mx
The plant known as torna-loca is an aquatic herb with an annual cycle endemic to Mexico. It reaches a height of up to 1,5 meters, and develops cylindrical stems from which ovate leaves sprout, up to 15 centimeters long. The flowers bloom in spring, are bell-shaped and white.
Unlike other species of Datura, this is a plant that lives very well in ponds and other freshwater aquatic environments. But you can not miss direct sun.
What do you think of these Mexican flowers? Do you have any favourites?
