The Flowers of Bali (Part 1)
A cocktail of local Balinese stemless and fragrant flowers and foliage are seen in Hindu offerings all around Bali
Traditional Balinese vs Locally Grown non-Balinese Flowers
Since The Bali Florist is striving towards being a sustainable florist, we make the effort to source for flowers (both tropical and non-tropical) from local nurseries and ensure their quality before incorporating them into our bouquets and floral designs. One interesting fact that struck us from the time we started our florist: there is a common misconception among our non-Balinese customers on what are true, local Balinese flowers.
While in Bali, one can’t help but notice a myriad of colourful offerings consisting of mixed flower seen all over the island, particularly near temples as well as during religious ceremonies. It’s also not easy to miss the beautiful Balinese-style gardens filled with tropical flowers and greenery all over the island. However, how does one know if these blooms are local flowers, or are they not?
The Bali Florist’s artisanal approach features a fusion of East-meets-West style and we often receive occasional requests for a bouquet or centrepiece using traditional Balinese flowers. In hotels or guesthouses, one would not only see offering flowers but also centrepieces with tuberoses, heliconias, chrysanthemums and orchids. Many of the flowers spotted here are actually flown in from outside of Bali, namely Java island. For example, the tuberoses (or locally known as Sedap Malam) which are often displayed in hotels, restaurants and spas are not traditional Balinese flowers and are grown/sourced from Java.
This blog article is a two-part series intended to clarify the difference between traditional Balinese flowers and locally grown non-Balinese flowers. Part 1 defines and describes what flowers are considered traditional Balinese, while Part 2 lists non-traditional Balinese flowers which are grown locally and sold commercially to florists as cut flowers. We also identify locally grown flowers that are suitable as cut flowers for floral bouquets, ceremonial flowers as well as garden plants. Flowers commonly used for Balinese offerings are typically removed from their stems and have a short shelf-life.
TRADITIONAL BALINESE FLOWERS
How do you define ‘traditional Balinese’ flowers? What is the signature Balinese flower? Traditional Balinese flowers are those species that are often seen in Bali and are grown abundantly on the island. Most Balinese would consider the Frangipani (bunga jepun or bunga kamboja) the most common Balinese flower – it is found in almost every street corner, house and region – and a signature flower. The following is a list of some of the most common flowers considered as traditional and signature Balinese flowers often used in offerings, religious ceremonies, decorations, or in a Balinese-style garden:
Adenium Obesum – this poisonous species of flowering plant, native to the African and Arabian regions, is a popular houseplant and bonsai in temperate areas. Mainly seen in gardens and not as cut or ceremonial flowers, Adenium obesum is typically propagated by seed or stem cuttings.
Family: Apocynaceae | Subfamily: Apocynoideae | Tribe: Nerieae | Genus: Adenium | Purpose: garden plant
Anthurium – a flowering plant native to the Americas (from Mexico to Argentina and the Caribbean islands) which are often also called tailflower, flamingo flower and laceleaf. Most Anthurium species can be grown as houseplants, or outdoors in mild climates in shady spots. Anthuriums are widely used in Bali as cut flowers in floral arrangements and are quite long-lasting in the tropical climate – up to 2 weeks in cool, indoor areas.
Family: Araceae | Subfamily: Pothoideae | Tribe: Anthurieae | Genus: Anthurium | Purpose: garden plant and cut flower
Bougainvillaea – often seen as bright coloured bush trees in Bali, these thorny ornamental vines are native to South America (Brazil, Peru and Argentina). The inflorescence consists of large, colourful sepal-like bracts which surround three simple waxy flowers in fuchsia, pink, orange or white.
Family: Nyctaginaceae | Tribe: Bougainvilleeae | Genus: Bougainvillea | Purpose: garden plant and ceremonial flower
Champaca (cempaka) – frequently used in essential oils for aromatherapy and other spa-related purposes, Cempaka has a very distinct, soothing scent. In Bali, Cempaka is the priority flower used in all religious ceremonies and due to its seasonal nature, it can be expensive when in demand.
Family: Magnoliaceae | Genus: Magnolia | Section: Magnolia sect. Michelia | Species: M. champaca | Purpose: garden plant, ceremonial flower and product ingredient
Euphorbia – this plant can be seen almost everywhere in Balinese house gardens as ornamentals in landscaping because of their striking overall forms as well as tolerance to drought and heat. Originally from the deserts of Southern Africa and Madagascar, euphorbias have growth forms similar to that of cacti, right down to its thorns.
Family: Euphorbiaceae | Subfamily: Euphorbioideae | Tribe: Euphorbiaceae | Subtribe: Euphorbiinae | Genus: Euphorbia | Purpose: garden plant
Frangipani – endemic to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, the plumeria (as scientifically named) is grown as ornamentals in warm regions. This is the ubiquitous Balinese flower, showing up as garden plants as well as in every ceremonial procession. Its fragrant nature also makes it popular for use in essential oils and spa-related products.
Order: Gentianales | Family: Apocynaceae | Subtribe: Plumeriinae | Genus: Plumeria | Purpose: garden plant, ceremonial flower and product ingredient
Gomphrena – these fuchsia-coloured round and stubby flowers are essential in Balinese daily prayers and ceremonies. Bunga Ratna, as its commonly known in Bali, grow abundantly as bushes on the sides of paddy fields. We mostly see the fuchsia version used for offerings but not the white or pink species. Unfortunately, gomphrenas do not have sturdy stems, making it challenging to use for floral bouquets. Though it can be dried, it loses its vibrant hue with the heat.
Order: Caryophyllales | Family: Amaranthaceae | Subfamily: Gomphrenoideae | Genus: Gomphrena | Purpose: garden plant and ceremonial flower
Heliconia (Birds of Paradise) - available in various colours and forms from thin to thick versions, heliconias in Bali are available throughout the year, mostly as garden plants. They range from dainty orange-yellow types to thick (and rather masculine) red and yellow forms, all of which can be used as cut flowers. These flowers are ornamental plants and are used as decorative material in restaurants, hotels and ceremonies in Bali.
Order: Zingiberales | Family: Heliconiaceae | Genus: Heliconia | Purpose: garden plant, cut flower and ceremonial flower
Hibiscus - similar to the frangipani, this plant can be seen in gardens all over Bali, and is appended on Balinese stone statues for religious purposes. The dominant hibiscus species in Bali is the red one, while yellow and oranges varietals are less abundant. Native to tropical regions around the world such as India, the Philippines, Tahiti and Hawaii, the hibiscus flower can also be dried and used as tea due to its red colour, tartness, unique flavour and its high Vitamin C content.
Order: Malvales | Family: Malvaceae | Subfamily: Malvoideae | Tribe: Hibisceae | Genus: Hibiscus | Purpose: garden plant, ceremonial flower, product ingredient
Lotus - also known as the water lily, the lotus is predominantly found in ponds and its leaves grow from the bottom of the pool of water. The leaves are incredibly water-resistant and the fragrant flower stays open for two to three days. The lotus pods can be used as fresh and dried cut flower to supplement exotic arrangements.
Order: Proteales | Family: Nelumbonaceae | Genus: Nelumbo | Purpose: garden plant and cut flowers (dried pods)
Marigold Tagetes (gemitir) - this plant is known for its use in Balinese culture since flower is used for offerings. They are usually made into garlands and hung around the Hindu statues. In the Bali heat, this type of marigold is not recommended as cut flowers for a bouquet due to its heavy top and thin, dainty stem. Marigolds are also as a decorative element in spas and hotels by floating the stemless blooms on water.
Order: Asterales | Family: Asteraceae | Subfamily: Asteroideae | Tribe: Tageteae | Genus: Tagetes | Purpose: garden plant and ceremonial flower
Ylang-Ylang – native to India, Indonesia, through parts of Indochina, Malaysia and the Philippines, Ylang-ylang is the flower of the cananga odorate tree and valued for its perfume extraction. Ylang-ylang has a strong yet soothing fragrance used mostly in essential oils for aromatherapy and other spa products.
Order: Magnoliales | Family: Annonaceae | Genus: Cananga | Species: Cananga Odorata | Purpose: garden plant, ceremonial flower and product ingredient
Now that we are more familiar with the flowers considered traditional in the Balinese soil and culture, we can appreciate each of their existence when we see them around Bali. We also hope that you now have a better idea on what they are best suited in our daily lives. In our upcoming blog (Part 2 of this series), we introduce those non-traditional Balinese flowers which are grown locally and commercially used as cut flowers.
Sources: Teba House | Wikipedia | The Bali Florist