Floral Identification

Features

• Flowers can be identified by the way the petals are featured on the bloom. For instance, flowers that are sympetalous display joined petals on all or part of the bloom. Polypetalous blooms have petals that don't connect, and actinomorphic flowers can be evenly divided into two parts and are sometimes tubular or funnel-shaped.

Positioning

• You can also identify flowers according to how they are positioned on the stem or branch. For instance, flowers that bloom at the joint of the branch, or axillary flowers, include the hibiscus. Terminal flowers, which grow at the end of the stem or branch, include the oleander and Southern magnolia.

Considerations

• When you're planning a garden, it's important to consider the bloom schedule of flowers to help you identify the blooms and incorporate the right plants in the garden. For instance, biennial flowers do not flourish during the first growing season, die after the second growing season, and include pansies and foxgloves. Annual flowers complete their entire life cycle in one growing season, are generally resistant to frost and include baby's breath and forget-me-nots.