Overview
Africa is a vast continent with several nations and varied landscapes. The arid lowlands and wilderness of Africa are not generally conducive to flowering plants. A great variety of these plants, however, do grow in profusion in the cool, moist highlands. Many of the garden and household flowers of the world originated in Africa.
Conditions
African flowers thrive outdoors in warm climates but will also grow well in a cool indoor environment. The African daisy is a popular indoor flower.
Significance
Africa is one of the world's leading exporters of cut flowers with the majority of blooms and bulbs cultivated in South Africa. The flower industry provides employment as well as foreign exchange earnings for the country.
Uses
Some African flowers, such as the aloe ferox, were used for medicinal purposes by the early European colonists. The aloe vera plant is still widely used in cosmetics and alternative medicine.
Features
African flowers are known for their brilliant colors and longevity. East African roses, a favorite at competitive trade shows, have small bulbs and short stems. Because of their small size, they do not wilt as quickly as other roses.
Considerations
African flowers are not grown in heated greenhouses, therefore environmentalists encourage their purchase as a solution to carbon reduction.
- The African Executive
- U.S. Aid/East Africa
- Guardian
- Flowers of South Africa
- South Africa's Plant Life
Keywords:
African flowers, conditions for growing African flowers, East African roses
About this Author
Loraine Degraff has been a writer and educator since 1999. She recently began focusing on topics pertaining to health and environmental issues. She is published in "Healthy Life Place" and "Humdinger" and also writes for Suite101. Degraff holds a Master's degree in Communications Design from Pratt Institute.
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