A wildflower (or wild flower) is a flower that grows in the wild, meaning it was not intentionally seeded or planted. The term implies that the plant probably is neither a hybrid nor a selected cultivar that is in any way different from the way it appears in the wild as a native plant, even if it is growing where it would not naturally. The term can refer to the flowering plant as a whole, even when not in bloom, and not just the flower. "Wildflower" is not an exact term. More precise terms include native species (naturally occurring in the area, see flora), exotic or, better, introduced species (not naturally occurring in the area), of which some are labelled invasive species (that out-compete other plants – whether native or not), imported (introduced to an area whether deliberately or accidentally) and naturalized (introduced to an area, but now considered by the public as native). In the United Kingdom, the organization Plantlife International instituted the "County Flowers scheme" in 2002, see County flowers of the United Kingdom for which members of the public nominated and voted for a wildflower emblem for their county. The aim was to spread awareness of the heritage of native species and about the need for conservation, as some of these species are endangered. For example, Somerset has adopted the cheddar pink (Dianthus gratianopolitanus), London the rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium) and Denbighshire/Sir Ddinbych in Wales the rare limestone woundwort (Stachys alpina). Examples Adonis aestivalis, summer pheasant's-eye Anagallis, pimpernel Agrostemma githago, common corn-cockle Alnus glutinosa, common alder Anthemis arvensis, corn chamomile Callirhoe involucrata, purple poppy-mallow Centaurea cyanus, cornflower Coreopsis tinctoria, plains coreopsis Dianthus barbatus, sweet William Digitalis purpurea, foxglove Dimorphotheca aurantiaca, glandular Cape marigold Eschscholzia californica, California poppy Ficaria verna, lesser celandine Glebionis segetum, corn marigold Gypsophila elegans, annual baby's-breath Lantana spp., shrub verbenas Papaver rhoeas, common poppy Petasites hybridus, butterbur Phlox drummondii, annual phlox Potentilla sterilis, strawberryleaf cinquefoil Prunus padus, bird cherry Silene latifolia, white campion Tussilago farfara, coltsfoot Ulmus sp., elm Viola riviniana, common dog-violet Viola tricolor'', wild pansy See also List of San Francisco Bay Area wildflowers Superbloom Megaherb Native plant Naturalisation References External links Wildflower Magazine promotes the use and conservation of wildflowers and native plants, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Formerly published by the North American Native Plant Society Plantlife, UK organization Wildflower in Cyprus Information on 1250 native plant species to North