Located in north-central Europe, Germany has a wide variety of landscapes including forested hills in the west, steep mountains in the south and sandy plains in the north. Around 28,000 plant and fungi species exist in the country.

From the beginning of the year to mid-October, Germany's Mainau Island in Lake Constance is a sea of flowers. The flower island features numerous gardens, including an Italian rose garden, tulip beds, a dahlia garden, and a vast arboretum. 

The magnificent flower displays are well known far and wide, attracting numerous visitors every year.

Here we introduce three popular plants in Germany.

Cornflower  

The beautiful blue-violet cornflower is the national flower of Germany. Due to its Prussian blue color, it became symbolic of the country in the 19th century.

It used to grow like a weed in cornfields, hence its name. They are native to Europe but cultivated worldwide at present.

The flower is not only known for its beauty, but also for its health benefits. The edible flower can be used in cooking and herbal teas. The petals are also used to help ease eye strain.

German Chamomile

The word Chamomile originates from the Greek word which means "earth-apple," because the plant smells like an apple.

The seeds of chamomile need open soil to survive. The plant can be found in most parts of the world including Europe and Asia.

German Chamomile is commonly used as herbal medicine to cure sore stomach and throat. It's anti-inflammatory and can also be consumed to help sleep.

European Spruce

About one-third of the German territory is covered with woods, and one of the most common trees in the country is the European spruce, also known as Norway spruce. The evergreen coniferous tree is native to Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe.

European spruces are commonly planted as ornamental trees in public areas and are one of the main sources for Christmas trees.

The shoot tips of the Norway spruce are used in natural medicines to treat health issues such as skin disorders, issues with the respiratory tract, and infections.

About 'Plants & Nations' 

"Plants & Nations" is a series of articles and pictures about common plants in the world. It serves as a guide for beautiful plants from different countries. 

For more:

Bonjour! Flowers in France

Some beautiful flowers in Italy

China's most appreciated flowers for the nation

Representative flowers of DPRK

5 beautiful plants common in Finland

Flowering plants of Monaco

Iconic plants of New Zealand

(Top image via VCG)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)