Sampaguita
The Sampaguita (Jasminum sambac) is one of the most popular flowers found in the Philippines. Though widespread in Southeast Asia, the petite, white and sweetly scented flower is the national flower of the Philippines. So popular in the country that it is stringed together like a garland or a flower necklace and commonly sold in the streets of Manila. The flower necklaces adorned statues of saints in many Catholic homes and churches. It also double as a cheap car air freshener.
Ylang-Ylang
The Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) flower appears like a sea star — small, greenish yellow in color, having six long-stalked drooping petals with a very distinctive scent. Ylang-Ylang is a Tagalog word which means “rare”. The scented flower produces a highly fragrant essential oil that is used in perfumes, cosmetics and other beauty care-related products. Also the essential oil is useful in aromatherapy.
Waling-Waling
The Waling-waling (Vanda sanderiana) is a rare epiphytic orchid native to the island of Mindanao. It is commonly found resting on the trunks of trees in the rain forests. Considered as the “Queen of Philippine Orchids,” the flowers bloom from July to December. Waling-waling is also known for its many stunning colorful hybrids.
Gumamela
The Gumamela (Hibiscus rosasinensis) is a familiar garden shrubs in the Philippines. The five-petaled flowers are large, generally red but also come in various colors including orange, pink, purple, yellow, white, other color combinations. Typically, the flowers are scentless. Aside from being an easy-to-grow ornamental plant, the leaves and flowers are also used in herbal medicine to relieve swelling and mumps and as a a poultice to boils.
Everlasting Flower
The Everlasting flower (Helichrysum bracteatum), also known as straw flower or paper daisy, is a popular flower in Baguio City. The flowers are about 6 cm across and come in various colors including maroon, orange, pink, purple, red, white and yellow. As cut flowers, blooms are dried, and will last indefinitely. the papery flowers Flowers are dried, Like the Sampaguita, everlasting flowers are stringed together and are sold in the markets. Religious devotees put these blooms on altars.
While looking at the flowers and reading your post, I can somehow smell the fragrance of sampaguita! These flowers are really the pride of our country-:)
ReplyDeletethe only flower that weren't in our backyard in the Philippines were the everlasting flower,
ReplyDeleteI grew up to the scent of Sampaguita and Ylang-Ylang because my father had these flower-bearing bushes in our garden. Oh, I miss the sweet scent and the beauty of both flowers.
ReplyDeleteWaling-waling is the flower I want to cultivate, if only I have enough time. Gardening, however, is my pastime... at least spending 2 hours in a week.
ReplyDelete