What is Morina?

Morina is a genus of angiosperms that belong to the Morinaceae family. Its name was derived from the French botanist Louis Morin. These angiosperms are flower-bearing and seed-producing plants that enclose their seeds or ovules inside their ovaries, which are located in the pistil. A common name for these plants is whorl flowers. The provinces of the Himalayas and Pakistan serve as their homes, and there are 17 noted species of these perennials.

Long, soft, and thick stems support clusters of spiraling flowers that cover almost half of their stalks. Small to medium-sized tubular blossoms in shades of white and pink morph into dark shades of purple and crimson every time mid-summer approaches. The tips of their waxy but fragrant leaves have short spines that serve as natural protection against humans, animals, and insects.

The most common speciea of Morina is longifolia. It grows to a height of 1 to 3 feet (0.3 to 0.9 m) and bears off-white flowers that turn a lilac hue as its ovules begin germinating. Another name for this variety is the Persian steppe flower because it grows in abundance on grass-covered hills and plains. Wild-growing longifolia plants are common in areas of Sonmus Pass in Kashmir. Houses in Xingjian, China, also grow rows of this flowering perennial around their lots as markers for their yards.

Small red and white flowers are observed in the Morina polyphylla species. Clumps of its blossoms form a spike-like structure encased by dark green bracts. The leaves of this variety are about 1 foot (0.3 m) long with needle-like tips. Strong winds can break the stalks of these types of flowers unless planted in several rows or against a wall. Full blossoms are usually expected to appear between the months of June and August.

The formations manifested by Morina make them popular options for ornamental plants in rock gardens and other outdoor spaces. Preserving the entire stalk along with the flowers and foliage is possible through a drying method so they may be used as decorations for winter occasions. Dried petals infused with scented oils can also be used for potpourri.

When cultivating Morina plants, it is optimal to sow their seeds in open areas with plenty of sunlight. Dry and partially acidic soil suits the propagation process best. Cutting the roots is also one way of reproducing these types of flowers; however, it takes about half to an entire year for stable roots to grow.