This is the second part of the national flowers series on the lovely planet. Look at these striking images of the national flowers captured by awesome photographers.

The long list of the National Flowers of the Lovely Planet is divided it into three parts for your interest. Check out these exquisite images of the national flowers in the second part ;

38- Gloriosa or Flame Lily: The national flower of Zimbabwe

Gloriosa or Flame Lily: The national flower of Zimbabwe ( Photo: Safia Azim )

39- Guarianthe skinneri: The national flower of Costa Rica

Guarianthe skinneri: The national flower of Costa Rica. A 'Heiti Jacobs' image

40- Hedychium coronarium: The national flower of Cuba

Hedychium coronarium: The national flower of Cuba. A Strajan's Image.

41- Hibiscus syriacus or Rose of Sharon: The national flower of South Korea

Hibiscus syriacus or Rose of Sharon: The national flower of South Korea. A Luigi's Image.

42- Holy Ghost Orchid or La Flor del Espiritu Santo (Peristeria elata): The national flower of Panama

Holy Ghost Orchid or La Flor del Espiritu Santo (Peristeria elata): The national flower of Panama ( Ricardo in Pr )

43- Iris croatica: The national flower of Croatia

Iris croatica: The national flower of Croatia ( An Ante Alijnovic's Image )

44- Iris: The national flower of France

Iris: The national flower of France ( Image by natureloving )

45- Irish Shamrock: The national flower of Ireland

Irish Shamrock: The national flower of Ireland ( Image: Joe Cashin )

46- Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum) or Arabian Jasmine: The national flower of Tunisia

Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum) or Arabian Jasmine: The national flower of Tunisia ( Photo: Karl Gercens )

47- Jasmine: The national flower of Pakistan

Jasmine: The national flower of Pakistan ( A Wandering Clouds Image )

48- Kantuta (Catua buxifolia): The national flower of Bolivia

Kantuta (Catua buxifolia): The national flower of Bolivia ( Image by kc camera )

49- King Protea (Protea cynaroides) : The national flower of South Africa

King Protea (Protea cynaroides) : The national flower of South Africa_(South African Natures)

50- Lavender ( Lavandula ) : The national flower of Portugal

Lavender ( Lavandula ) : The national flower of Portugal ( A Nutmeg66;s Image )

51- Leucanthemum vulgare or the oxeye daisy: The national flower of Latvia

Leucanthemum vulgare or the oxeye daisy: The national flower of Latvia_( Image: Leo Papandreou )

52- Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum officinale): The national flower of Jamaica

Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum officinale): The national flower of Jamaica ( A John Lynn's photo )

53- Lilium bosniacum: The national flower of Bosnia Herzegovina

Lilium bosniacum: The national flower of Bosnia Herzegovina ( Image: Lejna )

54- Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera): The national flower of India

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera): The national flower of India ( Image by Shebeer on flickr )

55- Lotus: The national flower of Macau

Lotus: The national flower of Macau (PPINACIO's Image )

56- Maga tree (Thespesia grandiflora): The national flower of Puerto Rico

Maga tree (Thespesia grandiflora): The national flower of Puerto Rico (Ronald C. Flores)

57- Maltese Rock Centaury or Centaurea Spathulata Zerafa: The national flower of Malta

Maltese Rock Centaury or Centaurea Spathulata Zerafa: The national flower of Malta (Leslie Vella)

58- Marsh Marigold: The national flower of Faroe Island

Marsh Marigold: The national flower of Faroe Island (janano2010's Image)

59- Mburucuyá or Pasionaria: The national flower of Paraguay

Mburucuyá or Pasionaria: The national flower of Paraguay ( Image by Silvia )

60- Medinilla waterhousei or Tagimaucia or Tagimoucia: The national flower of Fiji

Medinilla waterhousei or Tagimaucia or Tagimoucia: The national flower of Fiji

61- Mitrella mesnyi or Rumdul: The national flower of Cambodia

Mitrella mesnyi or Rumdul: The national flower of Cambodia ( Elmine Knight )

62- Nelumbo-nucifera or Red Lotus: The national flower of Vietnam

Nelumbo-nucifera or Red Lotus: The national flower of Vietnam ( Image by Arifaqmal )

63- Nymphaea stellata or Water Lily: The national flower of Sri Lanka

Nymphaea stellata or Water Lily: The national flower of Sri Lanka ( Image by Manoj Kanakambaran )

64- Orquídea Brassavola: The national flower of Honduras

Orquídea Brassavola: The national flower of Honduras ( Image by abxbr )

65- Oyama magnolia: The national flower of North Korea

Oyama magnolia: The national flower of North Korea (Tower Hill Botanic Garden)

66- Pink Rose (Rose Polyantha): The national flower of Maldives

Pink Rose (Rose Polyantha): The national flower of Maldives ( Image by T.Kiya )

67- Piper-nigrum or Pepper: The national flower of Liberia

Piper-nigrum or Pepper: The national flower of Liberia (Camelia-TWU)

68- Plum blossom: The national flower of Taiwan

Plum blossom: The national flower of Taiwan (Yumi's Image)

69- Plumeria (champa): The national flower of Laos

Plumeria (champa): The national flower of Laos (Image by Samnang Danou)

70- Poppy: The national flower of Macedonia

Poppy: The national flower of Macedonia (Image by Peter Yankov )

71- Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima): The national flower of Barbados

Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima): The national flower of Barbados (DoN's Image)

72- Pterocarpus indicus: The national flower of Myanmar

Pterocarpus indicus: The national flower of Myanmar (Image by Ahmad Fuad Morad )

73- Rakefet (Cyclamen): The national flower of Israel

Rakefet (Cyclamen): The national flower of Israel (Milton Harris)

74- Red & Black Poppy: The national flower of Albania

Red & Black Poppy: The national flower of Albania (xXric1993Xx)

75- Red Royal Poinciana: The national flower of Saint Kitts & Nevis

Red Royal Poinciana: The national flower of Saint Kitts & Nevis

The remaining national flowers of the lovely planet can be viewed in our last part of the national flowers series.

In an earlier article, we told you about the National Flowers of the SAARC countries. SAARC is the abbreviation of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. This Association comprising of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives was founded in 1963 with an aim of the development of the socio economics along with education and technology in this region. SAARC has also defined the other areas of working in its charter that include agriculture and rural, biotechnology, culture, energy, environment, economy and trade, finance, funding mechanism, human resource development, poverty alleviation, people to people contact, security aspects, social development, science and technology, communications, and tourism.

Like many other countries of the world, the SAARC countries have also classified their national animals. The motive behind this is to create the awareness for the protection of the rare and endemic animal species in their respective areas. The National Animals of the SAARC countries are as under ;

1- Markhor : The National Animal of Pakistan

Markhor: The National Animal of Pakistan ( Image :Mike McBride )

Markhor , the national animal of Pakistan, a large specie of wild goat is an indigenous mammal of Afghanistan , Pakistan ( Gilgit Baltistan , Hunza Nagar Valleys and Kashmir regions ) , some parts of North India , Southern Tajikistan and Southern Uzbekistan. The Markhor is biologically known as Capra falconeri a noun which literally means “large Himalayan goat with large spiraled horns”.

2- Bengal Tiger : The National Animal of India and Bangladesh

The Royal Bengal Ttiger is the national animal of India & Bangladesh ( Image ; Siddhartha Lammata )

Bengal Tiger, the beautiful big cat of South Asia is scientifically known as Panthera tigris tigris and it is famous for its unique light orange coat and dark brown stripes. Although it not the biggest big cat of the world, yet it is a huge animal which might weigh up to 600 pounds. Bengal Tiger has a very elegant body structure with the legs that are slender. Bengal Tiger is also known as the ” Royal Bengal Tiger ” and it is the national animal of both India and Bangladesh.

3- COW: The National Animal of Nepal

The domesticated Cow is the national animal of Nepal ( Image : Philippe Tarbouriech )

Cow is the national animal of Nepal. This domesticated ungulate which is raised as livestock for meat and milk has so much significance in India and Nepal. Most of the Hindus living in Nepal believe the Cow as the goddess of wealth (Goddess Laxmi). They worship the Cow and the killing of Cow is strongly prohibited in Nepal.  The Cow belongs to the class Mammalia and the family Bovidae scientifically.

4- Takin : The National Animal of Bhutan

Takin is the National animal Bhutan ( Image : Juan Carlos Madrigal )

Takin is a large goat like antelope which is the national animal of Bhutan. Takins are found from forested valleys to rocky, grass covered alpine zones, at altitudes of between 1,000 and 4,500 metres above sea level. The coat of Takin consists of thick golden wool and that’s why they are also considered the relatives of sheep. Takin has also small horns which run parallel to the skull. The scientific name of Takin is Budorcas taxicolor. 

5- Snow Leopard: National Animal of Afghanistan

Snow Leopard: The national animal of Afghanistan (By Alejandro Pérez)

Snow Leopard (Panthera Uncia) is one of the rarest specie of big cats existing in the world. It is found between 3,000 and 5,500 meters  above sea level in the high and snowy mountain ranges of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia,Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Snow Leopard is the national animal of Afghanistan.

* The other two countries from SAARC , Sri Lanka and Maldives have not officially declared any national animal ( Mammal ).

Different countries of the world select their endemic plants or flowers to represent their geographical location. A flower was used primarily by Canada and Australia as the national symbol and later it was followed in many countries of the world. Some countries have followed their centuries old historic or religious significance of any particular flower of plant and adopted that officially. The SAARC ( South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ) countries including Pakistan, India , Afghanistan, Sri Lanka , Bangladesh , Nepal , Bhutan and Maldives have also declared their National Flowers. Following is the respective detail of the National Flowers of SAARC countries of the world;

1- National Flower of Pakistan ( Common Jasmine )

Jasmine ( Chameli ) The National Flower of Pakistan

In Pakistan, this flower is called as ‘ Yasmin ‘ which is a Persian word meaning ” A Gift of Nature”. In the local language, Jasmine is also known as ‘Chanbeli‘ . Pakistan has ideal warm and tropical climate foe the growth of all of the species of Jasmine. The exotic color of Jasmine is considered as the symbol of peace. With the fantastic fragrance and different petals together, Jasmine symbolizes the unity of the people of different cultures and languages in Pakistan.

2- National Flower of India ( Lotus )

Lotus : National Flower of India

Lotus is considered a very sacred flower in India and the evidence for their affiliation with the Indian culture and Hinduism can be found from their history and ancient Indian mythology. According to the Hindu beliefs, the Lotus symbolises divinity, fertility, wealth, knowledge and  enlightenment. Although Lotus is commonly known as “Water Lily”, but in India it is known as Lotus. This aquatic plant is grown in small water bodies throughout in India and the flower floats on broad leaves.

3- National Flower of Sri Lanka ( Blue Water Lily )

Blue Water Lily or Purple Water Lily was declared as the National Flower of Sri Lanka on February 26, 1986. In the local language, this flower is known as Nil Mahanel and the scientific name of this flower is ‘Nympheae Stelleta’. Blue Water Lily symbolizes truth, purity and discipline and it has tremendous significance in Buddhism. Normally this magnificent flower is grown in shallow waters and it is found in all parts of Sri Lanka.

4- National Flower of Bangladesh (White Water Lily)

White Water Lily : The National flower of Bangladesh

The national flower of Bangladesh represents peace and lovely nature. This is known as “Shalpa” in the local Bengali language. Bangladesh is a land of rivers, lakes and streams. So the Whitle Water Lily is found everywhere in the country. White Water Lily or Shalpa contains numerous petals which represent several rivers of Bangladesh. Shapla is also a favorite food tem for the people of Bangladesh; especially the stem and fruit of this plant are liked a lot for eating.

5- National Flower of Nepal (Rhododendron arboreum )

National Flower of Nepal ( Image by Kea660 on flickr )

This bright and red flower is produced by a small tree which is endemic to South Asia. This is the national flower of Nepal. The name denotes “tending to be woody or growing in a tree-like form”. These shrubs like trees are scattered in the hilly area of Nepal and the beautiful flowers blossom in the Spring Season. This plant is suitable for woodland gardens. The Mountains of Nepal become colorful like red, white or pink during the blooming season of Rhododendron. ‘This flower is known as ‘Lali Gurans’ in the Nepali language.

6- National Flower of Bhutan (Blue Poppy)

Blue Poppy : The National Flower of Bhutan ( By: Dhillan Chandramowli)

The National Flower of Bhutan is locally knows as “Euitgeal Metog Hoem” but scientifically it called as Meconopsis grandis. Commonly this splendid flower is known as “Blue Poppy” which is grown on higher altitude. The plant of Blue Poppy is a rare species and its growth has been severely depleted. Blue Poppy is a hardy perennial flowering plant. It is herbaceous and blooms in summer. The flowers are huge and are about 4 to 5 inches in diameter.  Despite its pretty and delicate appearance the blue poppy has the power to endure harsh weather, especially winter, and blooms to its full beauty in spring.

7- The National Flower of Maldives (Pink Rose)

Pink Rose "National Flower of Maldives" ( Image : Sally Nelson )

The people of Maldives give a high regard to Finifenmaa which is known as Pink Rose in general. From more than 100 species of the family Rosaceae the Pink Rose is also a member and the climate of Maldives is highly suitable for its growth. The Pink Rose is botanically identified as Rose polyantha and it was declared as the National Flower of Maldives on 25th July 1985.

8. The National Flower of Afghanistan ( Tulip )

Tulip is the National flower of Afghanistan

Tulip is considered the national flower of Afghanistan. Although Tulip is very much associated with Netherlands and other European countries but only few of us know that this magnificent flower was originated in the Pamir and Hindukush mountain ranges of Afghanistan and central Asia.  In the Persian empire Tulip was named as “Laleh” and it was grown  in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and other parts of Central Asia.