Freesia is a genus which contains approximately 20 species of herbaceous perennial plants in the family Iridaceae, native to Africa.
Their fragrant and bell-shaped blooms appear on one side of a 30 – 40 cm (1 ft) stem, called a scape. Because of their fragrance, Freesias are one of the most popular flowers in the world and usually grown for use as cut flowers.
Freesia was named in honor of German physician Friedrich Heinrich Theodor Freese.
Freesia symbolizes freedom, friendship, trust, thoughtfulness and innocence.
A famous English poet Robert Henry Forster refers to the Freesia in his poem “The Greenhouse in Early April”:
“Fragrance the newly opened Freesia sheds
From its white trumpets with the splash of gold“.
This plant is popular for its scented oil, which is used in oil burners and vapourisers, in soap making, to scent candles and to freshen potpourri. It can also be used as a massage oil, bath oil and as a perfume body oil.
