Skip to content

Flowering Plants

Flowering plants, also called angiosperms, are the largest plant group. They produce flowers and seeds enclosed in fruit or seed structures.

KindTypical examplesNotes
TreesMaple, oak, citrus, magnolia, eucalyptusWoody, long-lived, usually single-trunked
ShrubsHydrangea, rosemary, camellia, viburnumWoody, multi-stemmed, often used for structure
Herbaceous perennialsHosta, salvia, peony, asterNon-woody top growth, recurring roots
Annuals and biennialsMarigold, basil, foxglove, parsleyComplete life cycle in one or two seasons
Grasses and sedgesLawn grass, bamboo, carex, miscanthusNarrow leaves, wind-pollinated flowers
Vines and climbersGrape, clematis, jasmine, pothosNeed support, trail, twine, or cling
Aquatic flowering plantsLotus, water lily, eelgrassAdapted to ponds, wetlands, or submerged habitats
  • Asteraceae: daisies, sunflowers, lettuce, echinacea, zinnia.
  • Fabaceae: peas, beans, clover, wisteria, acacia.
  • Rosaceae: roses, apples, pears, cherries, strawberries.
  • Lamiaceae: mint, basil, rosemary, lavender, salvia.
  • Poaceae: grasses, bamboo, wheat, rice, corn.
  • Araceae: philodendron, monstera, peace lily, pothos, anthurium.
  • Orchidaceae: orchids, vanilla, many epiphytes.

Flowering plants vary widely, but most need enough light to make energy for flowering, root oxygen through well-structured soil, and appropriate seasonal cues such as temperature change, day length, or a dry period.