Starchild: Malaysian children love flowers in all shapes and colours

Wong Jie Ern, 6

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Flowers are beautiful and come in various shapes and sizes. Some are fragrant, too, like roses, lilies and jasmine.

Do you know there are over 250,000 known species of flowering plants on earth? That’s much more than the population of Western Samoa, which is about 200,000 people.

Here’s another interesting fact – broccoli, artichoke, cauliflower and capsicum are actually edible flowers.

Malaysia’s national flower is the hibiscus, which is dubbed Queen of Tropical Flowers. National Flower Day 2022 was celebrated on March 21, a day after the first official day of spring. Here’s what Starchild readers had to say on the topic, Flowers.

Suvethika Mathyarasan, 12

Suvethika Mathyarasan, 12, thinks each flower is beautiful in its own way. Among all, she likes sunflowers. “I love sunflowers because they look as bright as the sun. Sunflowers symbolise good luck and lasting happiness. The seeds of sunflowers are rich in vitamins and minerals. Sunflower oil can be used for cooking. Sunflowers hold a special place in my heart. Looking at them is like looking at one of the wonders of nature.”

Asher Wang Qi Chuen, 4

Four-year-old Asher Wang Qi Chuen likes wild daisies. “They are small, pretty and can be easily found in grassy fields. I like to pick a bunch of them when I am out for walks.”

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 7

Older sister Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, seven, says: “I like all types of flowers. They are all so pretty. A bunch of colourful flowers is a beautiful sight to behold.”

Mandy Tang, 5

“My favourite flower is the hibicus. It is Malaysia’s national flower,” writes Mandy Tang, five.

“I like daffodils, which are also known as narcissus. The flower is pretty because it is bright yellow. It consists of a trumpet-shaped corona cup surrounded by petals. It reminds me of a flute,” writes Claire Yap Jyn Wei, seven.

Claire Yap Jyn Wei, 7

“There are lots of flowers such as the narcissus, daisies, sunflowers and roses. Though we don’t grow sunflowers in our garden, I like sunflowers because they are bright, and yellow like the sun,” explains Sophie Yap Jyn Qing, nine.

Sophie Yap Jyn Qing, 9

Wong Jie Ern, six, likes sunflowers too. “I love sunflowers because they look like the sun. I am happy when I can see them bloom beautifully. I hope I can be the butterfly and stay with the sunflowers.”

Wong Cheng Yang, 8

Wong Cheng Yang, eight, likes colourful flowers. “One of my favourite flowers is the morning glory. I like to see it bloom in the morning. And I like its beautiful purple shade. However, when the sun rises, morning glory flowers will slowly close up.”

Hayley Liew Xin Yi, 8

“My favourite flower is the rose because it is beautiful. Plus, it was featured in the movie, Beauty and The Beast,” says Hayley Liew Xin Yi, eight. - Compiled by Sheela Chandran

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