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8 Eye-Catching Flowers That Start With M

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“A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love.” – Max“Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow.” -John Lennon

From spring to summer, the blooms of flowers can be captivating that catch the attention of not only botanists and gardeners but also every pair of eyes that see their obvious beauty.

Add some charm to your home or garden with some lovely flowers that start with M. Here is a list of beautiful blossoms you may love and consider planting to your humble abode.​

Eye-Catching Flowers That Start With M

1. Madder

Madder Rubia Tinctorum - Flowers That Start With M
via Pixabay
  • Botanical name: Rubia Tinctorum
  • Plant Type: Perennial
  • Bloom time: Late June to August

Madder, which technically refers to Common Madder, Rose Madder and Dyer’s Madder, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant that is included in the family Rubiaceae, a bedstraw and coffee family.

In this genus, there are about only 80 species, but most of them were popularly used as a source of dye. This plant is native to Asia, Africa, the Medierranean region and both North and South America.

A matured plant can grow up to 5 feet tall. It is easily identified by its whorls of lance-shaped leaves that are covered in clinging hairs. What makes it standout is its clusters of small five-petaled flowers (about 3mm to 5mm only) that range from yellow to red, purple to white, and other colors.

2. Mandragora (Mandrake)

  • Botanical name: Mandragora Officinarum
  • Plant Type: Perennial
  • Bloom time: September to April (Autumn to Spring)

From the nightshade family called Solanaceae, Mandragora presents uniqueness and magnificence in the world of flowers. Also known as mandrake, there are only 3 to 5 species of this genus. It is native to the Himalayas and the Mediterranean region.

This perennial herbaceous plant is so unique that’s noted by its large potent roots resembling a human shape, basal rosette leaves and lovely flowers. The flowers are solitary with whorls of five petals.

They are bell-shaped ranging from purple to white to yellow-green colors. These bloom on a short stalk or scape. The petals are much larger than the stamens, but both are lobed bell shaped.

For years, this has been associated with religious practices, myths and superstitions. It’s also been used as traditional medicines during the early times.

Since it’s similar to the human body form, this is believed to have a connection with exercising control over the body. For symbolism, it can signify love or conception, wealth or bring good fortune, and power.

3. Marigold

Marigold Calendula - Flowers That Start With M
via Pixabay
  • Botanical name: Calendula
  • Plant Type: Annual and Perennial
  • Bloom time: All Summer Long

Famous for its pom pom like flowers, Marigold is among the favorite flowering plants in the world. Also known as Calendula, this is easy to grow and care for. It is a genus of only 15 to 20 species in the daisy family Asteraceae.

Most are annual and some are perennial. This herbaceous plant is native to southwestern Asia, Macaronesia, the Mediterranean, and western Europe.

Flowers are beautiful and vary in different colors, which include orange and yellow as the most common shades. These usually have a strong, pungent smell. They often bloom when sun is out; hence, this needs full to partial sun exposure.

The term Calendula is derived from a modern Latin diminutive “calendae”, which means “little calendar” as well as “little clock” and “little weather-glass”. On the other hand, Marigold is named in reference to virgin Mary.

Referred to as “the herb of the sun”, Marigold symbolizes passion, courageous and creativity. In a more negative meaning, it is associated with jealousy, grief and cruelty.

4. Marvel of Peru

Marvel of Peru Mirabilis Jalapa - Flowers That Start With M
via Pixabay
  • Botanical name: Mirabilis Jalapa
  • Plant Type: Perennial or Annual
  • Bloom time: June to September

Marvel of Peru is a herbaceous perennial, bushy and exotic shrub that is native to the Americas. It was cultivated by the Aztecs for both ornamental displays and medicinal uses. It is known as “Four O’Clock” flower with a scientific name Mirabilis Jalapa.

This has been the most commonly grown flowering species among Mirabilis. It is derived from a Latin word “mirabilis” that means “wonderful” or “admirable”, and is named after the state capital of Veracruz in Mexico called Jalapa (Xalapa).

When it reaches maturity, it can grow as tall as 3 feet to 7 feet. It thrives in temperate areas with well drained soil and full sun exposure. This tends to spread quickly and bloom flowers in abundance.

The stems are naturally full, thick and quadrangular with multiple ramifications and roots at the nodes. The funnel-shaped, pentalobed flowers can be categorized as spots, flakes or stripes and sectors.

There are various colors of this genus, from single or plain shade to combination. Among the common ones are white, pink, yellow, red and magenta. They bring out a perfume-like smell, which is most fragrant at night.

What makes this plant more interesting is that its flowers change colors. It has the nickname “Four O’Clock” as its inflorescences pop up late afternoon or early evening between 4pm and 8pm.

5. Meadow Saffron

Meadow Saffron Colchicum Autumnale - Flowers That Start With M
via Pixabay
  • Botanical name: Colchicum Autumnale
  • Plant Type: Perennial
  • Bloom time: Autumn (between August and October)

Meadow Saffron, also known as Autumn Crocus and Naked Ladies, is a wild autumn flowering plant belonging to the family Colchicaceae. It is native to Ireland and Great Britain. This species typically grows in temperate areas, which include the Baltic states, Sweden, Denmark, European Russia and New Zealand.

Despite its toxicity, the flowers of this plant are used for ornamental purposes. They are solitary featuring 6 stamens and orange anthers, 5 to 6 sleek and glossy purple petals, and 3 white stem-like tubes or styles.

The nickname “naked ladies” is given based on the fact that flowers emerge from the ground roots right before the leaves start growing or appearing.

6. Mezereon

Mezereon Daphne Mezereum - Flowers That Start With M
via Pxhere
  • Botanical name: Daphne Mezereum
  • Plant Type: Annual or Perennial
  • Bloom time: February to March

Native to Western Asia, Russia, Europe, and Northern Scandinavia, Mezereon belongs to the Thymelaeaceae family. It is also known as Mezereum, Spurge Olive or Spurge Laurel, and February Daphne.

This deciduous shrub is generally confined to soils that are derived from limestones, but also thrive in subalpine vegetation zones.

This plant is widely and popularly cultivated for its clusters of flowers and form. It is a large shrub that extends up to 5 feet high. It produces spicy fragrant four-lobed flowers that are commonly pink to purple (sometimes white) in color. They bloom abundantly in early spring long before the leaves appear.

Mezereon signifies flirtatiousness. This is because of its lovely scented flowers.

7. Milfoil (Yarrow)

Milfoil Yarrow Achillea Millefolium - Flowers That Start With M
via Pixabay
  • Botanical name: Achillea Millefolium
  • Plant Type: Perennial
  • Bloom time: Late Spring or Early Summer

Yarrow is the most common name referred to Milfoil, which is a flowering perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. This is native to temperate areas, which include North America, Europe, and the Northern Hemisphere in Asia.

It can also thrive in both dry and wet regions. Other nicknames for this plant are Thousand Leaf or Seal, Nosebleed Plant, Soldier’s Woundwort, Old Man’s Pepper and Devil’s Nettle.

This erect, herbaceous perennial plant grows up to 3 feet high. It matures to a spreading rhizome with evenly distributed, arranged spirally leaves along the stems with varying degrees of pubescence (hairiness or feathery).

Starting at the end of spring, it produces inflorescence of 4 to 9 phyllaries featuring the rays and disks of the flower heads. A single ray can consist from 3 to 8, while disks are around 15 to 40.

Generally, the flowers are small and colors vary from white to pink to yellow. They are strong and sweet scented blooms, and can be mistaken for the fragrance of chrysanthemums.

Yarrows are believed to symbolize inspiration and healing. They can be gifted as way to express concerns or joy.

8. Milkwort

Milkwort Polygala Vulgaris - Flowers That Start With M
via Pixabay
  • Botanical name: Polygala Vulgaris
  • Plant Type: Perennial
  • Bloom time: May to July

Common Milkwort, which is otherwise known as Polygala Vulgaris, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant of the genus Polygala, which belongs to the Polygalaceae family.

It is similar to Heath Milkwort but the sepals are longer than its petals. It is very common in Europe, Asia, and particular states of the US, which are Michigan and Oregon. This thrives well in sunny woods, grasslands, meadows, dunes, heaths and even edges of forests.

Upon reaching maturity, this plant grows only up to 1.15 feet tall. Its stems consist of several woody based branches with alternative pointed leaves.

It produces long and terminal inflorescences featuring only 2 petals, 3 outer sepals and 2 inner sepals with 8 stamens but joined together to form a tube-like stalk.

Generally, the flowers are shaped in a more unique form, normally in purple or violet and blue colors. This blooms between the months of May and July.


Conclusion

Taking care of these flowers that start with M should be motivated by love and enthusiasm. These are lovely blooms that can make any garden look more inviting and attractive.