Coming Into Full Bloom With Tulips

By Jeffrey Myers


Man has never been alone. Humankind may not in fact be alone in the universe, given how vast and limitless the universe is. But humanity is definitely not alone in the world. No, humans have shared the world with animals and plants since before man began recording its own history. Ever since the first fish like creature crawled out a primordial pool on to land, the path to everything that shares the world was set. Among the many things man has given itself dominion over are flowers like Siam tulips. Well, all flowers really, and all plants, and most animals.

The Siam tulip is a flower with a long stem. It is native to Southeast Asia, in what used to be the kingdom of Siam. The bulb comes in varying shades of red and pink, and can sometimes even in brown. Now, despite the name, it is not a member of the tulip family. It is in fact more closely related to turmeric of the ginger family than any member of the tulip family.

Humanity has had some cultural connection to flowers. Some myths depict humans as either coming from the bud of a flower. Other myths in other parts of the planet depict the flower as being a necessary ingredient in some spell or potion or being otherwise special in some other way. It is clear that plants play a clear and present role in human culture, though that role may vary depending on the specific cultural mythology involved.

There are a number of reasons flowers are grown by humans. For some, horticulture is a hobby, something to pass the time by and to keep busy. To some other people, horticulture is a profession, a means to make ends meet. The profession can be as simple as growing plants for a store to sell, actually selling the plants, or full on landscape architecture, shaping the grounds of estates or houses. Of course, flowers do have human uses.

Flora can have a variety of symbolic uses for people. When someone achieves something, wins an award or gets a promotion, a bouquet is a traditional congratulatory present. In fact, florists make bouquets specifically for such occasions.

Now, in terms of romance, flowers are not just appropriate in regards to courtship. A person can get their partner flowers just because, for no reason at all. Of course, when a person messes up, flowers are a traditional accompaniment to a heartfelt apology.

But a flower is not just use for occasions and symbolic meaning. They are also used for decoration. A special occasion, like a wedding or an anniversary, can usually be marked by a distinctive centerpiece in the center of the table. Homes are also decorated with various flora, all in an effort to make a space more beautiful.

Sometimes, those in society just like the scent. While the Siam tulip has no scent, others do. Some just like smelling good and they like to be around things that smell good.

Man has dominion over the world, or at least believes that it does. But the simple truth of the matter is that the dominion of man has created a symbiotic relationship with nature. Some parts of nature need man to curb its more destructive impulses in order to preserve parts of it and humankind needs the natural world need the animals and plants provided for foodstuffs.




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