A wildflower (or wild flower) is a
flower that grows in the wild, meaning it was not intentionally seeded or planted. The term implies that the plant is neither a
hybrid nor a selected
cultivar that is any different from the
native plant, even if it is growing where it would not naturally be found. The term can refer to the whole plant, even when not in bloom, and not just the flower.[1]
"Wildflower" is an imprecise term. More exact terms include:
native species naturally occurring in the area (see
flora)
invasive species that out-compete other plants, whether native or not
imported (introduced to an area whether deliberately or accidentally)
naturalized are imported but come to be considered by the public as native
In the United Kingdom, the organization
Plantlife International instituted the "County Flowers scheme" in 2002, see
County flowers of the United Kingdom for which members of the public nominated and voted for a wildflower emblem for their
county. The aim was to spread awareness of the heritage of native species and about the need for conservation, as some of these species are endangered. For example,
Somerset has adopted the
cheddar pink (Dianthus gratianopolitanus),
London the
rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium) and
Denbighshire/Sir Ddinbych in
Wales the rare limestone woundwort (Stachys alpina).
^Wild flowers can be found in deserts, forests,
meadows, and fields.
"wildflower". Retrieved December 5, 2014. Wildflower, noun. Any flowering plant that grows without intentional human aid.