Bells of Ireland

Common name: Bells of Ireland
Botanical name: Molucca laevis Family: Acanthaceae (ruellia family)
The common name, Bells of Ireland, make people mistakenly think the plant originates in Ireland. The plant is named after the Molucca Islands in Indonesia and thought to be from the islands, too. M. laevis is native to Western Asia, Turkey, Syria, and the Caucasus. Syria is where the plant is most often found. The flowers of Moluccella laevis are a symbol of good luck. Cut flowers will last 7 to 10 days in a vase. What is often mistaken for a green flower is actually the calyx or cup-shaped leaves around the base of the flowers. The actual flower is a small white fragrant flower inside the "bell." When dried, the leaves turn pale beige and will last for years.