What Is The National Flower of Singapore?

What Is The National Flower of Singapore?

Orchid is the national flowerof Singapore. It is commonly known as Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’. It is also called ‘Singapore orchid’, ‘the Princess Aloha orchid’ and Vanda ‘Miss Agnes Joaquim. Papilionantheis the genus of Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’. Singapore had been identified together with orchid for a long time.

Vanda Miss Joaquim is the oldest and the one and only indigenous natural hybridof orchid that Singapore is identified with.Because of its lively colors, resilience and endurance, Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’was titled as Singapore’s National Flower in April 1981.

This beautiful orchid reflects the spirit of Singapore. Its ability to bloom throughout the year was also a contributing factor. This flower was chosen from among 40 flowers. This flower represents Singapore’s exceptionality and hybrid culture, as Singapore is the only country to select a hybrid like Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’ as the national flower symbol.

Facts about Singapore’s National Flower (Orchid)

  • Common Name: Vanda Miss Joaquim, ‘Singapore orchid’, ‘the Princess Aloha orchid’ and Vanda ‘Miss Agnes Joaquim
  • Genus: Papilionanthe
  • Found in: National Orchid Garden, Singapore
  • Color: Rosy-violet
  • Size: 5-6 cm
  • Number of petals: 5-100
  • Time of blooming: All around the year
  • Purpose: Ornamental, Aromatherapy
  • Symbolism: Resilience and endurance

Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’ is a hybrid between Vanda hookerana and Vanda teres. This orchid was named after its founder Miss Joaquim.A sturdy inflorescence of Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’can carry up to twelve buds, typically with 4 flowers open at a time. The flowers are about five centimeter across and sixcentimeter tall. The petals of this flower are twisted around. The rear surface isforward-facing. The 2 petals and the top sepal are rosy-violet in color.

The adjacent sepals arepale purple in color. The lip is really big and wide. The middle lobe spreads out like a fan. It is violet-rose in color, unitingwith a distinct orange color at the center. Over the orange cover, the lip is excellentlyspeckled with dark purple. This orchid became the symbol of the Malay Orchid Society in 1957, which appears on Singapore’s currency and stamps. Singapore orchid is extensively grown on the peninsula, The Philippines and Hawaii.

In Singapore Orchid gifts are a nice way to bring Singaporean magic home. Some jewelry brands in Singapore make necklaces, earrings and brooches crafted by gold plating real orchid.The Singapore orchid is also used in aromatherapy.Because of the light and sweet fragrance, Singapore orchid is perfect for gifts and souvenirs. It is free-flowering. People can spot the free-flowering plant at the National Orchid Garden at the Botanic Gardens, the Vanda Miss Joaquim Pavilion at Craig Road, and at Agnes Joaquim’s tombstone at the Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator.

Other places in Singapore bearing its name include the Vanda MissJoaquim Park at Yan Kit Road, Vanda Drive, Vanda Road, Vanda Link, Vanda Avenue and Vanda Crescent near the Sixth Avenue area.
To sum up, The National flower of Singapore, Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’ can only be found and grown in Singapore and not anywhere else. It symbolizes the national spirit, pride and identity of Singapore. That is why Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’ was chosen as the national flower symbol of Singapore.

Reference:
www.thefinder.com
www.nlb.gov.sg

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