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🇨🇳 The flowers of China

400 pages from China: its flowers, the things made with them and the places to see them, across 60 cities and regions.

China is home to an extraordinary range of flowering plants, with over 30,000 native species and many found nowhere else. Its vast territory covers many climates, from tropical forests to deserts, supporting unique flowers like the Chinese aster, dove-tree, and peony. Endemic and culturally significant species set China's flora apart.

  • China has over 30,000 native plant species, many found nowhere else.
  • The peony is a cultural symbol of wealth and honor.
  • Dawn redwood was rediscovered in China after being thought extinct.
  • Fritillaria delavayi camouflages to avoid being picked.
  • Bamboo and sweet wormwood are widely used in daily life and medicine.

The plant life of China

China's plant life is among the richest in the world, shaped by its huge size and varied landscapes. From humid tropical forests in the south to dry deserts in the northwest, the country supports over 39,000 vascular plant species. More than half of these are found only in China. Ancient geological changes and the survival of plants through the last ice age have helped preserve many rare and ancient species. Forests, grasslands, bamboo groves, and alpine meadows all add to the diversity, making China a global center for plant variety.

From region to region in China

Plant life changes dramatically across China. The northeast has cold coniferous forests and mixed woodlands, while the subtropical south is lush with broad-leaved forests and bamboo. The southwest, including Yunnan and Tibet, is a refuge for ancient trees and rare flowers, spared from the last ice age. Tropical rainforests in Yunnan and Hainan are especially rich in species. In contrast, the north and northwest are drier, with fewer species and more grasslands or desert plants.

Flowers to know in China

China is known for flowers like the Chinese aster and the peony, a symbol of wealth and honor. The dove-tree, golden larch, and dawn redwood are rare trees native to China, with the dawn redwood once thought extinct. The happy tree and gutta-percha tree are valued for their traditional uses. Many species, such as the Yunnan cypress and Fritillaria delavayi, are found only in China and are now threatened or endangered.

How flowers are used in China

Plants have deep roots in Chinese culture, medicine, and daily life. Over 10,000 species are used, mostly in traditional medicine. Sweet wormwood, for example, has been used since ancient times for fevers. Bamboo is woven into mats and toys. Flowers like the peony appear in art and as symbols. Many plants are also grown for food or exported worldwide.

Threats and protection in China

Habitat loss, climate change, and overharvesting threaten many native plants. Endemic and useful species are especially at risk, with a third of useful plants both unique to China and threatened. Some, like Fritillaria delavayi, have even evolved to hide from collectors. Conservation efforts include national and international programs to protect rare species and habitats.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Flora of China", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

Flower experiences in China

All 4
🇨🇳 Kunming · All yearDounan flower marketChina's largest cut-flower market, where much of the trade happens in the evening. 🇨🇳 Suzhou · Mar to OctClassical gardens of SuzhouScholar gardens of rock, water and pavilions, where each season has its chosen flower. 🇨🇳 Luoyang · Apr to MayLuoyang peony seasonThe old capital of Luoyang fills its parks with tree peonies every April. 🇨🇳 Luoping · Feb to MarLuoping canola flower seaYellow rapeseed fields stretching between small limestone hills in eastern Yunnan.

Cities and regions of China

Beijing 7Yunnan 6Guangzhou 5Fujian 4Hangzhou 4Shanghai 4Guangdong 3Jiangsu 3Suzhou 3Gansu 2Heilongjiang 2Hubei 2Kaifeng 2Kunming 2Tibet 2Xinjiang 2Xishuangbanna 2Zhejiang 2Anhui 1Baoshan District 1Bayi 1Bita Lake 1Bome 1Bozhou 1Chengde 1Chuzhou 1Diqing 1Fuzhou 1Guizhou 1Haidian 1Hebei 1Henan 1Heze 1Jingdezhen 1Jingtai County 1Jiujiang 1Kanas Lake 1Khorgas 1Longmen Grottoes 1Luohu District 1Luoping 1Matsu Islands 1Mengla County 1Mount Lu 1Nanjing 1Narati Grassland 1Qiu County 1Qujing 1Shaanxi 1Shandong 1Shangri-La 1Shanxi 1Shennongjia 1Shenzhen 1Shudu Lake 1Sichuan 1Tianhe District 1Tongxiang 1Wenzhou 1Yangtze region 1
ShowFlowersDecorationsPlaces
ColourRedPinkOrangeYellowWhiteCreamBluePurpleGreenMaroonMany-coloured
KindWildflowerGarden flowerCut flowerFlowering treeFlowering shrubBulb flowerClimberOrchidWater flowerCactus or succulentAlpine flowerTropical flowerHerb or useful flower
In flowerSpringSummerMonsoonAutumnWinter
Common sunflowerHelianthus annuus A tall annual plant grown for its large yellow flower heads and edible seeds 🇨🇦 Canada and 4 more · Wildflower BirchBetula Slender trees with papery bark found across the northern world 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower FennelFoeniculum vulgare A tall, aromatic herb with feathery leaves and yellow umbels, used for food and spice 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Herb or useful flower Common flaxLinum usitatissimum The slender blue-flowered plant grown for linen and linseed 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower Chrysanthemum菊花 Autumn-blooming flower with thousands of varieties, cherished in East Asia and beyond 🇨🇳 China and 6 more · Wildflower LindenTilia Tall, broad-leaved trees with fragrant yellow flowers and heart-shaped leaves 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Flowering tree AmaranthAmaranthus A tall, colourful plant grown for its flowers, leaves and edible seeds 🇲🇽 Mexico and 7 more · Wildflower Lily-of-the-valleyConvallaria majalis A woodland plant with sweet-scented white bell flowers in late spring 🇫🇮 Finland and 4 more · Wildflower Common dandelionTaraxacum officinale A familiar yellow wildflower with fluffy seed heads found across temperate regions 🇨🇳 China · Wildflower OleanderNerium oleander A showy, evergreen shrub with clusters of pink, white or red flowers 🇲🇦 Morocco and 8 more · Flowering shrub YarrowAchillea millefolium A wild, fern-leaved plant with flat clusters of white or pink flowers and a spicy scent 🇨🇳 China and 6 more · Wildflower Opium poppyPapaver somniferum A tall annual poppy grown for seeds, opium, and striking garden flowers 🇨🇳 China and 2 more · Wildflower RapeseedBrassica napus A yellow-flowered crop grown for its oil-rich seeds and protein meal 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower Hibiscus A tropical genus with large, colourful trumpet-shaped flowers 🇮🇳 India and 7 more · Wildflower Common poppyPapaver rhoeas The vivid red wildflower of fields and remembrance 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower Sensitive PlantMimosa pudica A touch-sensitive plant whose leaves fold up when disturbed 🇧🇷 Brazil and 8 more · Wildflower Thorn-appleDatura stramonium A poisonous, night-blooming plant with trumpet-shaped white or violet flowers 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower Rhododendron A vast group of shrubs and trees with showy blooms in many colours 🇳🇵 Nepal and 4 more · Wildflower Pedunculate oakQuercus robur A towering oak tree with stalked acorns, native to Europe and western Asia 🇷🇸 Serbia and 8 more · Flowering tree ColtsfootTussilago farfara A yellow spring-flowering herb once used in traditional remedies 🇨🇳 China and 4 more · Wildflower Hydrangea Flowering shrubs with large heads that change color with soil pH 🇯🇵 Japan and 2 more · Flowering shrub ElderSambucus nigra A tall shrub or small tree with clusters of white flowers and dark berries 🇩🇪 Germany and 6 more · Wildflower PoinsettiaEuphorbia pulcherrima The red-bracted shrub of Christmas displays, native to Mexico and Central America 🇲🇽 Mexico and 8 more · Wildflower SafflowerCarthamus tinctorius A thistle-like annual grown for oil, dye, and as a saffron substitute 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower CornflowerCentaurea cyanus A bright blue wildflower once common in European grain fields 🇩🇪 Germany and 7 more · Wildflower Common sageSalvia officinalis A Mediterranean herb with grey-green leaves and blue to purple flowers 🇨🇳 China and 1 more · Herb or useful flower ChamomileMatricaria chamomilla A fragrant white and yellow annual flower used for tea and herbal remedies 🇨🇳 China · Wildflower Common ValerianValeriana officinalis Tall, sweet-scented wildflower with pale pink blooms and a long history in herbal lore 🇮🇸 Iceland and 8 more · Wildflower Crocus Small corm-grown flowers in white, yellow, orange or purple 🇹🇷 Turkey and 7 more · Wildflower Horse-chestnutAesculus hippocastanum A large flowering tree known for its white spring blooms and shiny brown conkers 🇦🇱 Albania and 7 more · Flowering tree PeonyPaeonia Large spring flowers in pink, red, white, yellow and purple, grown in gardens worldwide 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower Black locustRobinia pseudoacacia A tall, fragrant-flowered tree native to eastern North America 🇺🇸 United States and 7 more · Flowering tree Common IvyHedera helix An evergreen climbing vine with lobed leaves and nectar-rich autumn flowers 🇮🇪 Ireland and 7 more · Wildflower Datura A group of trumpet-shaped, highly toxic flowering plants in the nightshade family 🇲🇽 Mexico and 7 more · Wildflower Primula A large genus of spring-blooming wild and garden flowers from cool and mountain regions 🇨🇳 China and 5 more · Wildflower LotusNelumbo Aquatic plants with large, round leaves and striking flowers called lotus 🇮🇳 India and 7 more · Water flower Viburnum Shrubs and small trees with showy flower clusters and colourful berries 🇺🇦 Ukraine and 3 more · Wildflower MallowMalva Edible and ornamental flowering plants with pink, purple or white blooms 🇮🇳 India and 6 more · Wildflower Sweet VioletViola odorata A scented violet with edible leaves and flowers, native to Eurasia 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower Wild PansyViola tricolor A small wildflower with purple, yellow, and white blooms found across Eurasia 🇨🇳 China and 3 more · Wildflower CloudberryRubus chamaemorus A golden berry of northern bogs and tundra, picked wild for food and drink 🇳🇴 Norway and 7 more · Wildflower White Water-lilyNymphaea alba A floating white flower of ponds and lakes across Europe and Asia 🇸🇪 Sweden and 5 more · Wildflower Indian fig opuntiaOpuntia ficus-indica A large, spiny cactus grown for its sweet fruit and edible pads 🇲🇽 Mexico and 7 more · Wildflower DogwoodCornus Woody trees and shrubs with showy bracts and colorful berries 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea Tall spikes of bell-shaped, spotted flowers in purple, pink, white or yellow 🇩🇪 Germany and 5 more · Wildflower White cloverTrifolium repens A low-growing, mat-forming clover with white flower heads 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower LantanaLantana camara A colourful shrub with clusters of small, changing flowers 🇧🇷 Brazil and 9 more · Flowering shrub Brown mustardBrassica juncea A leafy mustard plant grown for greens, seeds, and oil across Asia and beyond 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower
More

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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