In the world we find certain places that are home to thousands of plant species. One of them is Mexico, a country in which more than 25,000 varieties have been described. There are actually so many different ones. It is considered the fourth country with the most plant biodiversity. And of course, many of them are very pretty Mexican flowers.
The most interesting thing is that many are traded and used as ornamental plants. Besides, I would dare to say that you have or have had one but you did not know that it was from this country. But don’t worry: here are ten mexican flower names.
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Astragalus amphioxys
Image – Wikimedia/Stan Shebs
The Astragalus amphioxys It is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Mexico and the United States that reaches a height of about 25 centimeters. The leaves are composed of 7 to 21 pairs of greyish-green leaflets or pinnae. Yes its flowers measure about 2 centimeters, and are lilac.
It is a very curious plant, because it is covered with many short hairs, which protect it a little from the sun.
Barkeria skinneri
Image – Wikimedia/Orchi
The Barkeria skinneri It is one of many orchids native to Mexico. It lives in particular in deciduous forests, from 900 meters above sea level. It reaches a height of about 50 centimeters and develops stems from which elliptical green leaves grow from a pseudobulb. Its flowers are pink and emerge from a flower stalk about 30 centimeters long in spring and summer.
It lives in places where the climate is tropical and the air humidity is very high, so for successful cultivation we will have to protect it from the cold and sprinkle it with water if the humidity is low, below 50%.
bletia purpurea
Image – Wikimedia/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 1.5 meters in height when in flower.and for this it develops flower stalks of this height, the extremity of which blooms lilac or pink flowers 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 very well-drained soil.
Dahlia (Dahlia sp)
The dahlia is a plant which, depending on the species, can be a herbaceous or a shrub. In the first case, we would speak of species whose leaves die when the cold arrives and which regrow in the spring; and in the second, they are evergreen plants, that is, they are always green. Leaves can be single or divided. Yes 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 marketed there are herbaceous, which do not exceed 30 centimeters when in bloom. But, whichever one you choose, you need to put it in a sunny place and protect it from the cold.
Epiphyllum crenatum
Image – Flickr/阿橋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 about 50 centimeters long, which are also flat. The flowers are large, about 20 centimeters in diameter, and very fragrant. These open at night, but last a few days.
It is a cactus of great beauty that can be potted, in the rockery or in the garden, as long as it is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Hauay-Che (Ageratum maritimum)
Picture – 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 blue-lilac in color.
It tolerates sandy soils (beach), since its habitat is precisely that: the coast. But in addition, it is important that it is exposed to direct sunlight.
Jesamine (Cestrum elegans)
Image – Flickr/阿橋HQ
Jasmine is an evergreen shrub with hairy stems native to Mexico. It reaches a height of around 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 feel 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 (Erigeron pubescens)
Image – Wikimedia/Juan Carlos Pérez Magaña
Wild chamomile 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 of daisies, but are smaller.
It is an ideal plant to grow in pots, as well as in the ground with other plants of similar size.
Marigold (Tagetes erecta)
Tagete is an annual herb native to Mexico, where it is known as zempoal, cempasúchil, or other similar names. It reaches up to 1 meter in height, although it can be less than 50 centimeters. The leaves are pinnate and composed of 11 to 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 quickly, and also multiplies very easily from seed, provided they are sown in the spring. Put it in full sun, and water it from time to time.
Torna-crazy (Datura ceratocaula)
Image – enciclovida.mx
The plant known as torna-loca is an aquatic grass with an annual cycle endemic to Mexico. It reaches a height of up to 1.5 meters and develops cylindrical stems, from which grow oval leaves up to 15 centimeters in length. The flowers bloom in spring, are bell-shaped and white.
Unlike other Datura species, it is a plant that does very well in ponds and other freshwater aquatic environments. But you can’t miss the direct sun.
What do you think of these Mexican flowers? Do you have any favourites?