What is Finland’s national flower?
The national flower of Finland is kielo (Convallaria majalis). Kielo was chosen as Finland’s national flower in 1967, when the Finnish Nature Conservation Union organized a national flower competition in honor of its 50th anniversary. Kielo won the competition overwhelmingly and has been an important symbol in Finnish culture and nature ever since.
Properties of language
Kielo is a perennial, low-growing plant that belongs to the Asparagaceae family. It typically grows about 15-30 cm tall and its leaves are wide and oval. Kielo’s flowers are small, white and bell-shaped, and they grow in clusters at the end of a thin stem. The flowering time is in May-June, when the fragrant flowers of the tongue decorate the forest floors and gardens.
Distribution and habitat
Kielo is common throughout Finland, and it occurs especially in deciduous forests, mixed forests and wet meadows. It thrives best in shady and semi-shady places, where the soil is moist and rich in nutrients. Kielo is also a popular ornamental plant in gardens and yards.
The importance of language in Finnish culture
Language has been an important symbol in Finnish culture for a long time. Its delicate beauty and pleasant fragrance have made it a popular subject in poetry, song and art. Kielo is also a popular flower for spring and summer holidays, such as Mother’s Day and Midsummer.
Toxicity
It is important to note that the tongue is a poisonous plant. All its parts, especially the berries, contain glycosides that affect the function of the heart, which can cause severe poisoning symptoms if eaten. That’s why it’s important to keep kielo berries out of the reach of children and pets.
