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Antirrhinum
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Antirrhinum

Antirrhinum

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameAntirrhinum
DescriptionCharming cottage garden favorite with distinctive two-lipped flowers that open and close like a dragon's mouth when gently squeezed. Tall spikes of tubular blooms in nearly every color except true blue create vertical interest in spring and fall gardens. Available in heights from 6-inch dwarfs to 4-foot giants, all producing fragrant flowers beloved by pollinators.
FamilyPlantaginaceae
GenusAntirrhinum
TribeAntirrhineae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula% ⚥ K(5) [C(5) A4] G(2)

Bilaterally symmetrical, bisexual, 5 fused sepals, 5 fused petals forming two-lipped corolla, 4 stamens (didynamous - 2 long, 2 short) fused to corolla tube, 2 fused carpels with superior ovary

Features
  • Name 'Antirrhinum' comes from Greek 'anti' (like) and 'rhin' (nose/snout), referring to the snout-like shape of the flower. 'Snapdragon' describes how the flower snaps open and shut when squeezed, resembling a dragon's jaws
  • Unique bilabiate (two-lipped) flowers with an upper and lower lip that can be gently squeezed to open and close the 'mouth.' Flowers arranged in dense terminal racemes, blooming from bottom to top over several weeks
  • Herbaceous perennial often grown as cool-season annual. Blooms best in spring and fall when temperatures are moderate (60-75°F). Can survive mild winters and rebloom, but typically treated as annual in most climates
  • Height ranges from 6 inches (dwarf varieties) to 4 feet (tall varieties), with intermediate types at 1.5-2.5 feet. Lifespan of 1-3 years depending on climate. Readily self-seeds in favorable conditions
  • Native to rocky areas of Mediterranean region, particularly Spain, Italy, and North Africa. Now naturalized in temperate regions worldwide and widely cultivated as ornamental
  • Prefers full sun to partial shade with at least 6 hours of sunlight. Thrives in cool weather (50-70°F) and well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Performance declines in hot, humid summers but rebounds in fall
  • Excellent cut flower with vase life of 7-10 days. Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Deer resistant. Seed pods resemble tiny skulls, adding interest to dried arrangements. Some varieties mildly fragrant

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificAntirrhinum
English (Alternate)Snapdragon, Dragon's Mouth, Lion's Mouth, Dog's Mouth, Bunny Ear, Bunny's Mouth, Calf's Snout, and Toad's Mouth.
Hindi एंटीरहिनम (Antirrhinum), नक्शा फूल (Nakshe phool), डॉग फ्लावर (Dog flower)
Tamilஸ்னாப் டிராகன் (Snap Dragon),
Teluguయాంటీరైనమ్ డబుల్ మిక్స్డ్ సీడ్ (yantirainam dabul miksd sid), షూగర్ మౌత్ ఫ్లవర్ (shugar mauthu flower)
Malayalam സ്നാപ് ഡ്രാഗൺ (Snapp Draggon)
Kannadaಆಂಟಿರಿನಮ್ (Antirrhinum)
Sanskritसिंहमुखः(Siṁhamukhaḥ), नासापुष्प (Nāsāpuṣpa)
Bengaliশণিপাতি (Shonipati), পটপটি ফুল (Potpati Ful),
Frenchgueule-de-loup, muflier
Russianльвиный зев (lyvniy zev)
Spanishboca de dragón
GermanLöwenmaul, Garten-Löwenmaul (garden snapdragon)

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.