5 Italian Native Flowers Worth Knowing

5 Italian Native Flowers Worth Knowing

Ever visited Italy in spring? You’ve probably enjoyed seeing Bel Paese in full bloom. Among vivid and dramatic green fields are specks of pink, pops of red, drops of yellow, and dashes of white. You’ll find wild roses on banks and tiny yellow blooms by the roadside. Blooming beauties are everywhere and even a trip to a park, flower market, or local garden will bring you a spectacular display of colors.

The richness of Italy’s native vegetation and floral composition is truly impressive. In fact, Italy accounts for about half of the known flower species in Europe.

More than 6,700 species make up the Italian flora and 20.4% of this are endemic or native to the Italian territory. Let’s get to know five of them today and become more familiar of their presence and conscious of protecting their sensitive habitats.

Styrax officinalis L (Common Storax)

Also known as snowdrop bush, this deciduous shrub that thrives best under full sun to part shade grows on dry rocky slopes, thickets, and woods and is commonly found in west-central Italy. Its leaves are nearly spherical in shape and its bell-shaped white flowers are very fragrant. Each bloom has about five to eight petals with stamens at the base. A wounded stem of this plant exudes a fragrant resin called storax and this is used in ancient times for making incense, medicine, and perfumes.

Saxifraga berica (Saxifrage berica)

Photo from Mark Childerhouse

This is a plant found only in Berici in the province of Vicenza that’s part of the Veneto region in northern Italy. It grows on rocky areas like mountain peaks and inland cliffs particularly on shady rocks and under overhanging walls and cliffs.  This perennial herbaceous plant grows up to 25cm tall with ascending and very branchy stems. The flowers have five yellowish white petals with one or two petals longer than the rest. The flowering time is between April and May.

Soldanella calabrese (Soldanella calabrella)

The Calabrian Soldanella is endemic to Calabria, Italy. It can be found on Sila mountains and Aspromonte massif. The flowering period is from May to June while the fruiting period is from June to August. This is an insect-pollinated species that grows near springs or in shady and damp walls.

Photo from Acta PLantarum

This plant is commonly known as snowbell in English and features small purple flowers. The Soldanella calabrese is now considered as the symbolic plant of Calabria region.

Primula appenninica

The Apennine primrose, also known as Bear’s Ear, is a pretty little blossom chosen to be the floral symbol of the Emilia-Romagna region. This is the only pink-flowered primrose that can be seen in the northern Apennines. The plant grows on cracks and crevices of sandstone cliffs and vertical walls. It can be found exclusively in the north-facing stretch of cliffs between Monte Orsaro and Monte Vecchio. This is a perennial plant growing 3 to 8 centimeters tall with short woody stem and green oval leathery leaves. The flowering period is from May to June.

Photo by Giuseppe Trombetti

The rare Primula appenninica is a protected species included in the Red Book of endangered species in Italy. Harvesting it is prohibited.

Zafferano etrusco  

This is Tuscany’s chosen symbolic plant. This prized spice that also grows in Umbria and Emilia-Romagna region has most of its range growing in the fields and woodlands of Tuscany. The Etruscan crocus grows up to 10cm high with thin and linear leaves. The flowers have purple bell-shaped petals with prominent crimson stigmas.

Being a major contributor in Italy’s agri-food heritage, the Italian saffron also thrives well in another Italian region. This exotic spice was first introduced around the 13^th century into Italy’s Abruzzo region east of the Apennine Mountains. Skilled and patient hands are needed to undertake the delicate process of separating three thread-like red stigmas from the petals. You’ll need about 4,000 tiny little flowers to make an ounce of saffron powder.