Finding the name of a mystery flower can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. It’s often a frustrating task. Where do you start?
If you’re doing an online search, two other keywords besides color can be helpful:
- A flower’s habitat. Is it growing in a meadow? a pine forest? a bog? on a lakeshore? a seashore?
- The English or Latin name of the flower’s family. There are 7 floral families (listed below), each with a specific set of characteristics.

Mustard Family – Cruciferae
– 4 petals
– seedpods follow a radial pattern around the stalk
– pods open from both sides to expose a clear membrane in the middle
– all edible
Mint Family – Labiatae
– 5 united petals
– square stalks
– leaves grow opposite one another
– usually aromatic
– all edible as long as they smell minty

Pea or Legume Family –
Leguminosae
– irregular shaped flowers with 5 petals
– pea-like pods
– pinnate leaves
– vary from being barely edible to barely poisonous

Lily Family – Liliaceae
– flowers with parts in 3s with 6 stamens
– sepals and petals identical
– parallel leaf veins
– produce bulbs
– some edible, some poisonous

Mallow Family –
Malvaceae
– 5 separate petals
– column of stamens in middle of flower
– moist and sticky texture
– edible

Aster or Sunflower Family –
Compositae
– composite flowers
– disk-like head
– each petal is an individual flower
– edible

Parsley or Carrot Family –
Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
– radially symmetrical (5 petals, sepals and stamens)
– compound umbrella-like design
– usually hollow flower stalks
– many are not safe for eating and can be deadly
You may still have to look at several images before you’re able to find the exact flower, but these keywords should help you narrow your search. At the very least, you should be able to identify its family. Good luck!
For more information on floral families, see:
Learning to Identify Plants by Families
For more information on flowers in northern North America, see:
Ontario Wildflower
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