The national flower of France is the fleur-de-lis, which in heraldry represents the lily. It is considered one of the most used figures in heraldry in Europe, together with the eagle, the cross, and the lion.
Centuries ago, the national flower of France was frequently used both in coats of arms and in coats of arms, mainly of the French nobility, especially during the reign of Louis VII.
Even today, the fleur-de-lis or lily is a symbol of loyalty, honor, power, and sovereignty, as well as purity and hope.
Lilies are one of the most popular flowers in Europe, second only to roses. Various species of lilies can be found in almost every corner of the world. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors (such as pink, white, violet, and yellow, among others).
What is the National Flower of France?
The lily is the national flower of France. This flower has been used since the 13th century to represent French royalty. The national flower of France represents light, perfection, and life. In the designs used by the French monarchy, the petals of the lily also represent faith, chivalry, and wisdom.
Characteristics Of the National Flower of France
The lily (Lilium) is a botanical genus of the large lily family. It has more than 110 species and many thousands of hybrids. Pure lily species have their natural habitat almost exclusively in temperate and subtropical zones, especially in areas rich in rainfall. The exception is the white lily (Lilium candidum L.), which prefers the dry climate of the Mediterranean.
Lilies are perennial plants whose spore organs are bulbs composed of botanically modified leaves and serve as nutrient stores for the plants. In the case of lilies, their bulbs, unlike other bulbous plants, have no protective scales and are “naked”.
A peculiarity is the so-called contractile roots that form at the bottom of the bulb and can sink it deeper into the soil. These roots allow the lily bulb to be placed deep enough so that it can safely survive winter or drought.
Some lilies also produce subway stolons and young bulbs in them. The height of the lily depends on the species and variety; it varies from 12” to 95” (30 cm to 240 cm). Learn more about How to Care for Easter Lily.
At the end of the stem, a single flower or several flowers are gathered in clusters and umbels. Depending on the shape of the flowers, there are trumpet, cup-shaped, star-shaped, and the so-called turban lilies. The latter have petals that slant very much backward, which makes the flower resemble a Turkish turban.
Lily Flowering Period
The flowering period of the national flower of France is from May to September, and they take almost all colors except blue. After pollination, they mature three-chambered bags with seeds. The aerial part, that is, the flower stalk and leaves, dies after the seeds are already ripe.
It should be noted that it is in the bulb that the seeds of the stem, leaves, and flowers are formed for the next season. Lilies are among the oldest plants cultivated by man. The white lily was planted in gardens in the middle of the second millennium BC. The Romans brought them to the provinces north of the Alps.
In fact, during the Middle Ages, the snow-white lily became an important Marian symbol (i.e., of the Virgin Mary), depicted in several paintings of the period.
