Moluccella Flowers
Name : Moluccella Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Moluccella, (Moluccella laevis)
Moluccella Description
Moluccella is a genus comprising of four species of annual and short-lived perennial plants belonging to the Mint Family, Labiatae. They are native to northwestern India and the Mediterranean region.
Common names for Moluccella flowers include Bells of Ireland and Shell Flowers.
Moluccella or Bells of Ireland are tall, upright, branched plants that grow to a height of 1 metre or more with toothed leaves and tiny white fragrant flowers with a spicy/peppery scent. Bells of Ireland have dainty white bell-shaped flower buds, while their foliage is white-veined green. The foliage consists of tall stalks of unusual, cup-shaped calyces, or leaves which are commonly mistaken for petals. The real flowers are formed inside these calyces and are often not readily visible.
Bells of Ireland are marvelous plants that prefer full sun and moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. They propagate from seeds planted in early spring. Bells of Ireland bloom in late summer but are commercially available all year round.
Moluccella or the Bells of Ireland are elegant, stately blossoms that are very popular in the cut flower industry. Their simplistic beauty and unmatched grace makes them the most impressive decorative flower. Bells of Ireland look wonderful in mixed centerpieces, as aisle holders, or against the alter canopy. Their fragrance also adds to the ambience and with a vase life of 7-10 days and year round availability, Bells of Ireland are the perfect choice for weddings and other auspicious occasions. The fragrant blossoms of the Bells of Ireland are also used as a perfume.
Their classic beauty makes the Bells an old-fashioned favourite and this unusual-looking annual works equally well in dry and fresh flower arrangements. When dried, the Bells of Ireland turn a straw colour. In the garden it adds colour, height and of course, an extraordinary touch to your flower beds.
Moluccella Meaning
Meaning Good Luck, Luck of the Irish and Whimsy, the classy and bold Bells of Ireland or Moluccella is the perfect flower for all occasions.0
Bells of Ireland are often used in St. Patrick's Day arrangements due to their green foliage, and are also associated with the zodiac sign Libra (Sept 23 - Oct 22).
Moluccella Mythology
Bells of Ireland were first cultivated in Belgium in the late 1500s. The genus Moluccella derives its name from the Indonesian Molucca Islands, since it was once believed that this flower originated from these islands.
An interesting thing to note is that the Bells of Ireland don't actually grow in Ireland but derive this name due to their luscious green foliage.
