Flowers feel like they have always been and will always be, but did you know there was a time before flowers? Granted, it was around 140 million years ago, but *shudder*. How did dinosaurs show each other that they were appreciated?
It turns out there are a lot of weird little facts about flowers, and I thought it was worth sharing some of my favourites.
Broccoli is actually a flower
And honestly, I think it might make a pretty bouquet, with the right accent flowers. And then if you get hungry, add a little dip and you have yourself a real treat!
The largest bloom is the size of two human babies
Rafflesia arnoldii grow in the rainforests of Indonesia -- for as long as we have rainforests in Indonesia --and can grow up to three feet across and can weigh up to 15 pounds! Imagine handing someone a bouquet of these! Especially since it is also called the “corpse flower” because of its smell.
Roses are actually related to your favourite fruits
In the category of “family reunions I would most like to attend”, roses are related to apples, raspberries, cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, pears and even almonds. Since roses are edible: you can make yourself a lovely fruit salad without ever leaving this one family “tree”.
Tulips can be used as an onion substitute
Like many flowers, tulips are edible. And if you want a break from the tears of chopping onions, try using tulips! They don’t have as strong of a taste, and are more expensive, but it would definitely make for an interesting story at the dinner table!
Tulips (and tulip bread) were actually a source of sustenance during the food shortages of WWII. They can also be turned into wine.
And lastly, the cutest flower fact of all…
Foxglove flowers have an adorable origin story
The tall, slender flower with bell-like blossoms got its name from a belief that adorable, mischievous foxes would put the leaves on their little paws in order to better sneak up on their prey. Which is a pretty cute image.