Calla Lily
Zantedeschia aethiopica is the most iconic flower in Mexican art. However, it originates from southern Africa, where it grows wild in semi-aquatic regions and is known in Afrikaans as varkoor, meaning “pig’s ear.” When it arrived in Europe in the early 18th century, it was renamed calla, possibly derived from the Greek kalós, meaning “beautiful.” In Mexico, the name alcatraz appears to stem from the Hispanic Arabic word alcartaz, meaning “cone.”
Cacaloxóchitl
Also known as the May flower for its blooming season, this fragrant flower comes from the small tree Plumeria rubra. In Mexico, it has over thirty common names, with cacaloxóchitl being one of the oldest. It is referenced in the Florentine Codex, the Codex of Huamantla, and the De la Cruz-Badiano Codex. Through the Manila Galleon trade, it spread from Mexico to Southeast Asia and Polynesia in the 16th century, gaining widespread popularity. In Hinduism and Buddhism, it symbolizes the immortality of the soul, while in Hawaii, it is traditionally used to craft the lei, a garland offered as a gesture of welcome or aloha.
Marigold
For the ancient Romans, the first day of each month was called calenda, a name derived from the Latin kalendae, which also gave rise to the word calendar. The marigold (Calendula officinalis) was named in reference to its near-monthly blooming cycle. Known for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties, it was widely used to clean and treat wounds during the American Civil War (1861–1865) and World War I (1914–1918).
Rose
The rose is the most famous, revered, and frequently depicted flower in art history, closely followed by the peony, its Asian counterpart. It has been associated with Aphrodite in Greece, Venus in Rome, and Inanna in Mesopotamia. References to the rose appear in Sumerian texts, the sacred scriptures of ancient Persia (Avesta), and the Bible. In Christian iconography, it symbolizes the Virgin Mary, while in Islam, it plays a key role in Sufi traditions. Globally, the Rosa genus encompasses approximately 280 species and over 30,000 cultivated varieties.
Dahlia
Declared Mexico’s national flower in 1963, the Dahlia genus includes 43 species, 32 of which are endemic to Mexico. Indigenous cultures valued them for their ornamental, ritual, culinary, and medicinal purposes. The tlatoanis (rulers) cultivated dahlias in their legendary gardens—Netzahualcóyotl in Tezcutzingo and Moctezuma in Oaxtepec. Offerings of dahlias have also been found dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, the god of war. Today, Mexico celebrates National Dahlia Day on August 4.
Shrimp Flower
Justicia brandegeeana, native to Mexico, is known for its elongated shape and vibrant, overlapping bracts, which resemble a shrimp—hence its common name. At its center, a small white flower bears a distinctive blood-red marking. In 2020, researchers Arthur O. Tucker and Jules Janick identified the shrimp plant in the De la Cruz-Badiano Codex as a remedy for alleviating fatigue in administrators and public officials. Additionally, its wood, macerated in spring water, was used in ritual baths to restore the health of high-ranking Mexica leaders.
Gladiolus
The Roman thinker and military leader Pliny the Elder named this flower gladiolus (“small sword”) after noticing the resemblance between its long, pointed leaves and a sword (gladius in Latin). This connection made the gladiolus the celebratory flower of victorious gladiators, who received them after battle. Of the 276 Gladiolus species, 266 are native to South Africa. Today, the most common variety in flower shops is Gladiolus x grandiflorus, a large-flowered hybrid developed by horticulturists in 1875.
Carnation
Native to southeastern Europe, this flower was so highly regarded by the ancient Greeks that the philosopher and naturalist Theophrastus named its genus Dianthus, meaning “flower of Zeus.” Its influence extended to the Ottoman Empire, where it frequently appeared in floral motifs symbolizing power and the renewal of life. The English name carnation derives from the Latin root for flesh (caro), referencing its pinkish hue. In Christian iconography, it is associated with the Passion of Christ.
Magnolia
Considered a living fossil, the magnolia is among the oldest flowers on Earth. Recent findings suggest that the Magnoliaceae family dates back approximately 90 million years. Lacking bees at the time of their emergence, magnolias evolved to rely on beetles for pollination. In Nahuatl, it is called yolloxóchitl, or “heart flower,” named for its closed bud’s resemblance to a human heart. Among the Mexica elite, it was reserved for the nobility and offered as a sacred tribute to the gods.