Home > Learning Center > Exotic Flowers

Exotic Flowers

An exotic flower is classified as any flower that is not in its native habitat. Many exotic plants and flowers do adapt very well to certain climates and areas that they have never naturally grow in, but they still remain classified as exotic plants because they were introduced by unnatural means. This provides a problem in certain ecosystems when an exotic plant out competes a native plant that could have a symbiotic relationship with another plant or animal that the exotic plant cannot provide. This ends up killing the local flora and its dependant fauna.

Some of the ways exotic flowers have traveled around the world is in the ballast of sailing ships. After a trading ship unloads its goods, it has to fill its interior with ballast to sail correctly. This ballast can be other goods, or in many cases sand and soil from the area. This soil often has seeds of local plants in it. When the ship sails to another location to pick up goods, it dumps the ballast containing seeds of exotic plants.

If the exotic flower is adaptable, it will take root and propagate, often competing with local plants. Coffee was an exotic plant to Africa when it was introduced by the British Empire, but the environment was so favorable for the coffee plant that it quickly became a treat to other native plants such as the Acacia tree. Exotic flowers must be kept separate from ecosystems, but are wonderful to display and give as gifts.

Hawaiian Flowers | Tropical | Learning Center | Site Map | Links | Contact | Home

Copyright © 2010