Nepal is a country of botanical paradise that boasts diverse flora according to varied altitude and climate. It is a temple of beautiful flowers, including the national flower, rhododendrons (Lali-Gurans). There are thousands of wildflowers and other notable flowers like jasmine, lotus, marigold, etc. The floral diversity of Nepal includes:
✔ There are over 7000 flowering plants belonging to more than 200 families & 1500 genera.
✔ 283 endemic species of flowering plants exist in the country of the Himalayas.
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Flowers in Nepal:
1. Rhododendron arboreum (Lali-Gurans): National flower of Nepal
It is Nepal’s national flower, symbolising love, purity, and patriotism. It is a beloved flower for Nepalese, deeply connected to everybody’s heart and also with the country’s heritage and identity. It is believed that more than 30 species of rhododendron are found in Nepal. The flower’s colour is red, pink, and white.
Significance:
✔ It is a member of the health family of Ericaceae.
✔ It has a higher ecological value.
✔ It is associated with the country’s pride and identity.
✔ It is used in traditional Nepalese medicine.
✔ It is used for furniture and as firewood.
2. Marigold (Saipatri)
A vibrant yellow flower is known as saipatri phool in Nepal, widely used for decoration and also for offering to the gods in festivals like Dashain and Tihar. It is also used as a garland on different occasions.
Significance:
✔ It is associated with devotion, purity, and protection.
✔ It symbolises the sun and the bright spaces.
✔ It is believed that it brings good luck and prosperity to anybody.
✔ It is the symbol of beauty, energy, enthusiasm, and creativity.
✔ The demand for flowers is increasing day by day since it will be helpful for economic aspects too.
3. Rose
The rose has been the symbol of love, emotion, and beauty for thousands of years. It is mainly associated with perfection, royalty, and achievements. Each colour of the rose has a different and varied meaning. The red rose denotes love, romance, desire, commitment, and passion. The white rose is associated with trust, purity, innocence, and a new beginning.
The yellow rose for friendship and strength, and the purple rose denotes love at first sight, enchantment, and desires. The roses like blue symbolise mystery, orange denotes passion, and black is associated with the end of the period, closer, and farewell.
4. Poinsettia (Lalupate)
Poinsettia is a vibrant flower with red leaves and yellow flowers at their peak and is commonly known as Lalupate phool in Nepal. It is also known as the Christmas flower in Nepal, and it is used to decorate homes, offices, and public spaces. It is believed that the Poinsettia is the favourite flower of the hindu goddess Maha-kali.
5. Night-flowering Jasmine (Parijaat)
Night-flowering Jasmine, also known as Parijat in Nepal, holds significant cultural and symbolic meanings of love, romance, and mystery. The blooming at night only releases a captivating fragrance, evoking a sense of intimacy and sensuality, which is one of the unique characteristics of the Night-flowering jasmine. Besides different symbols, the flower holds different medicinal prospects due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and other healing properties.
6. Purple globe amaranth (Makhamali)
The flower holds more cultural and religious importance. It is used in the Tihar festival to make a garland by a sister for her brother to wear, blessing a wish for her brother’s long life in the Bhai Tika ceremony. The vibrant purple color of the flower doesn’t fade easily, which symbolizes longevity and timelessness.
7. Yarsagumba
Yarsagumba is a caterpillar fungus that is found in the high altitude of the Himalayan region in Nepal. It is a species which is highly prized as a traditional medicinal herb and fungus that is also known as “Himalayan Viagra” or “Ophiocordyceps sinensis”.
It can be grown at an elevation between 3000m to 5000m and can be harvested before the monsoon season starts (between May and June). It can cure various diseases by regulating blood sugar, providing an anti-inflammatory effect, enhancing cardiovascular health, and also holds anti-ageing properties.
8. Lotus (Kamal phool)
The lotus flower, known as “Kamal phool” in Nepal, typically holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, symbolising beauty, prosperity, purity, enlightenment, and rebirth. The plant mainly balances the natural aquatic ecosystem. The flower blooms alluringly in the muddy waters, powerfully symbolising resilience and perseverance.
9. Jasmine (chameli)
The Nepali name of the Jamine flower is “Chameli phula”, and its scientific name is “Jasminum sps” It belongs to the family of Oleaceae and the genus of shrubs and vines. The flower is either deciduous or evergreen.
The leaves of the flower have opposing or alternative arrangements. The colour of the flower is white or yellow, and it has a fragrant odor. It is mainly used as an Ornamental plant, for Medicinal(ayurvedic herbal) purposes, and consumed as green tea or white tea.
10. Dahlia (Lahure Phool)
The Nepali name of dahlia is “Lahure phool,” and its scientific name is “Dahlia pinnata.” It is a famous ornamental plant typically used for decorative and landscaping purposes. The flower has higher uses in different aspects, such as the pharmaceutical industry, therapeutic purposes, food and cosmetics, and also as a raw material for the extraction of dyes.
11. Orchid (Sunkhari)
In Nepal, orchids are known as “sunkhari or sungava,” the breathtaking natural beauty of the country. They symbolise the country’s incredible biodiversity, with over 380 species adorning the landscape. The delicate and diverse flowers flourish in the pristine environments of Nepal, from the lowland forests to the high-altitude terrains of the Himalayas.
12. Datura (Dhatura)
Dhatura is known as datura stramonium, but popular as jimsonweed in English, contains medicinal and hallucinogenic properties. The leaves of dhatura are used for pain relief and also used for asthma treatment in China and Vietnam. The plant is traditionally used to treat diarrhoea, hookworm, roundworm, cough, cold, tonsilitis, bronchitis, dysentery, sore throat, constipation, and so on.
In such a way, Nepal is highly rich in various species, not only based on flowers, also for the wild-life diversity, biodiversity, flora & fauna, and so many things. The popularity of greenery and richness in natural things of Nepal had made nepal, one of the most beautiful, and peaceful space for all over the world.
