bloemtypes

Bloemtypes, literally “flower types” in Dutch, is a concept in botany and horticulture used to describe categories of flowers by their outward morphology. In practice, bloemtypes cover aspects such as symmetry (actinomorphic or zygomorphic), corolla shape (tubular, funnel-shaped, campanulate, ligulate, or rotate), and the arrangement and modification of petals. The term also encompasses how breeding can alter reproductive structures, for example through the development of double flowers in which stamens become petaloids and fertility may be affected.

Classification by bloemtypes serves both taxonomic and horticultural purposes. For breeders, it provides descriptors that aid in selecting cultivars and planning crosses. For florists and garden designers, it helps predict bloom appearance, vase life, and compatibility with color schemes. The concept supports consistent communication about flower form across catalogs, guides, and horticultural literature.

Common examples of flower types in bloemtypes descriptions include actinomorphic flowers such as roses and peonies; zygomorphic flowers such as snapdragons and orchids; tubular forms like lilies; cup-shaped tulips; bell-shaped campanulas; and ligulate daisies. In ornamental breeding, emphasis on petal number leads to double varieties, which are often visually striking but may differ in fragrance or fertility.

The term is most common in Dutch horticultural contexts and seed catalogs, where it appears alongside other morphological descriptors. The underlying concepts are global, bridging botany, floriculture, and garden design. See also plant morphology, flower structure, and floriculture for broader context.