Flowers of Israel Set

"Flower of Israel" Set of Eight 0.5 oz. Silver 999 Medals

From Israel's Mediterranean forest region in the north to its desert in the south, up on its hills and down in its valleys, Israel has a rich flora in relation to its size.

The "Flowers of Israel" Series struck in pure silver presents 8 of the beautiful colorful flowers in the country.

1. Poppy Anenomes

Common in Israel from the north of the country to the Negev in the south, Poppy Anenomes bloom from January to April. Their flowers are mostly red, but they can also be white and purple. In Israel, the Poppy Anemone is a protected flower and picking it is prohibited.

According to the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, the Poppy Anenome is the most common and loved flower in Israel and it has indeed become an integral part of Israeli culture. Poppy Anemones appeared on the One Pound Banknote in the first Israeli Pound Banknote Series issued by the Bank of Israel in 1955, which featured landscapes of Israel. They were also the subject of the design of the Israel postage stamp designed by Zvi Narkis in 1959. In 2013, the Poppy Anemone was chosen as Israel's national flower.

2. Cyclamen

The Cyclamen is the most common tuber plant in the Middle East and in Israel it is common in the northern and central parts of the country, especially in mountain areas. The flower bends its head down in humility and hides among rocks, as if accepting its literary personification and presentation as humble and shy. The Cyclamen blossoms in October through April and its colors range from white to deep purple and pink. It is a protected flower and must not be picked.

3. Common Narcissus

The Common Narcissus has six white petals and an orange-yellow corona that gives a strong, pleasant scent. Unlike many bulbous plants, the leaves of the Narcissus are not arranged in rosettes but rather, its long, narrow leaves rise from the base of the plant. The Common Narcissus is a protected flower and is known as a swamp plant, although it also grows in soil pockets between rocks in the mountains. It is common in the Mediterranean countries as far as Iran. Found in Israel in the north to the center of Israel, it blooms from October to February.

4. Bristly Hollyhock

In Israel, the "Bristly Hollyhock" is common in the Mediterranean and Judea and Samaria regions, where annual rainfall reaches at least 400mm. The plant is covered by bristly hairs and hence its name. The flowers of the Bristly Hollyhock emerge from within its leaves and are borne by a short stem. This impressive plant grows up to 3 meters high and its flowers can measure up to 12 cm in diameter. The beautiful colors of the flowers range from pink to purple.

5. Common Caper

The Common Caper is a thorny shrub, growing in the typical Mediterranean flora region in Israel in the coastal lowlands, Judea and Samaria and the Galilee mountains. Its blossom lasts about six months, from March to September. Capers are bisexual, up to 4-6 cm in diameter and their colors are white and pink. Four petals are set in pairs and are somewhat reminiscent of a butterfly's wings. 

Capers survive in harsh conditions. The plant has a lifespan of 20 to 30 years and when a shrub is cut off or even burnt, it is able to renew its growth quickly.

6. Crown Daisies

Crown Daisies grow in fields, roadsides and especially on slopes of ancient sites. It appears that the nitrogen compounds which have remained in the soil at ancient settlement sites encourage the growth of Crown Daisies and suppress other flower growth. Crown Daisies are characteristic of spring in Israel and they grow and bloom in February to May. Their color is yellow-orange and they grow up to 60cm in height. In daytime, the Crown Daisy stands upright, while at night it bends over.

7. Steven's Meadow Saffron

The "Steven's Meadow Saffron" is a protected flower that grows in all regions of Israel from the Golan Heights in the north, to the Northern Negev in the south. Blooming from October to December, its flowers are light purple and pink and shaped like a small funnel with six petals and yellow anthers. The flower grows to a height of 2 to 5cm above the ground, while an additional part of the plant is hidden underground. It is pollinated by hoverflies and honey bees.

8. Dark-purpled Iris

The Dark-purpled Iris is a protected flower which grows only in Israel. Found mainly in nature reserves, it flowers during the winter months, February to March. The origin of its name is in the color of its flowers which range from deep purple to almost black. The flower consists of three "tunnels" in each of which is a stamen. Male bees lodge in the "tunnels" at night, Pollen rubs off onto their bodies and it  is being transferred to another flower the next day.