Plants & Nations: Germany (2024)

FAQs

What is the most famous plant in Germany? ›

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 Latin word or term "Germania," from which the English name "Germany" is derived, was used by the Romans to describe the areas beyond the Rhine where various Germanic tribes had settled.

Germany is known for its beautiful forest landscapes, so many types of trees and shrubs, such as hornbeam or linden do well here. Flowering plants like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses are also widespread, and they add color to gardens in the spring.

The edelweiss (leontopodium alpinum as it is scientifically known), is a delicate alpine mountain flower with furry white petals. It is iconic and a legend in the countries of Austria, Switzerland, and Germany, where it grows at the high altitudes of around 5,900 to 9,800 feet in rocky limestone.

Sauerbraten (pronounced [ˈzaʊ̯ɐˌbʁaːtn̩]) is a traditional German roast of heavily marinated meat. It is regarded as a national dish of Germany, and is frequently served in German-style restaurants internationally.

The edelweiss, or Leontopodium alpinum as it is scientifically known, is technically not a single flower but more than 50 to 500 tiny florets clustered in 2 to 12 yellow flower heads (capitula), surrounded by 5 to 15 velvety white leaves (bracts) arranged in the shape of a star.

What was Germany called before it was called Germany? Germany was a conglomeration of many kingdoms and empires but was often referred to as Germania, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Franks. It was also previously known as Prussia.

The word Dutch comes from a Proto-Germanic word meaning “of the people.” It shares a root with the German word Deutsch, which has led to some confusing names. The name Germans call Germany, for example, is Deutschland and the people there Deutsch. Dutch and German are related, after all, both being Germanic languages.

In Germany no other fruit is consumed as much as the apple. Four out of five Germans (79%) regularly eat apples. Followed closely by bananas (78%) and strawberries (77%). And most Germans (74%) believe that apples aren't just tasty but also healthy.

What animal is native to Germany? ›

In the forests, you will find European wildcats, European badgers, lynxes, bats, deer, red squirrels, and red foxes. Germany's native birds include the boreal owl, bean goose, carrion crow, and mistle thrush. Whales, porpoises, and sharks live in the ocean waters.

Grain is grown on about one third of Germany's agricultural land. Wheat is by far the leading crop, followed by barley and rye.

In areas of high natural fertility, wheat, barley, corn (maize), and sugar beets are the principal crops. The poorer soils of the North German Plain and of the Central German Uplands are traditionally used for growing rye, oats, potatoes, and fodder beets.

The cornflower is the national flower of Germany, because it is said that when Queen Louise of Prussia was fleeing Napoleon she hid her children in a cornfield and amused them by weaving cornflowers. Edelweiss grows in Alpine mountainous regions, although it originated in Asia.

Spruce and fir trees predominate in the upper mountains, while pine and larch are found in sandy soil. There are many species of ferns, flowers, fungi, and mosses. Fish abound in the rivers and the North Sea. Wild animals include deer, wild boar, mouflon, fox, badger, hare, and small numbers of beaver.

Due to both the climate and tradition in many regions, apples cover by far the largest share of fruit tree acreage in Germany with 48 % cultivated area. Also, strawberry fields can be found everywhere in Germany - they represent 20 % of the cultivated fruit area.