''Moluccella laevis'', the Bells-of-Ireland, Bells of Ireland, Molucca balmis, shellflower or shell flower, is a summer flowering annual, native to

Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...

Syria Syria ( ar, سُورِيَا or سُورِيَة, translit=Sūriyā), officially the Syrian Arab Republic ( ar, الجمهورية العربية السورية, al-Jumhūrīyah al-ʻArabīyah as-Sūrīyah), is a Western Asian country loc ...

and the

Caucasus The Caucasus () or Caucasia (), is a region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, mainly comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and parts of Southern Russia. The Caucasus Mountains, including the Greater Caucasus range, have historically ...

. It is cultivated for its spikes of flowers. In the language of flowers, it represents luck. The tiny white flowers are surrounded by apple green calyces which are persistent. The rounded leaves are pale green. Fast growing, ''Moluccella laevis'' will reach 1 metre (3.28 feet) and spread to 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) with an erect, branching habit.Botanicas, Annuals and Perennials, Random House, Sydney, 2005 A member of the mint family, the blooming stems can be cut and used in fresh or dried flower arrangements. The domestic plant is self-seeding, prefers full sun and regular water and is unlikely to do well in hot, humid climates.

References

External links

Jepson Manual Treatment
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USDA Plants ProfilePhoto gallery
Flowers in Israel Lamiaceae Garden plants of Asia Garden plants of Europe Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus {{Lamiaceae-stub