Pl. floræ; also floras. [a. L. Flōra the goddess of flowers, f. flōr-, flōs flower.]

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  1.  In Latin mythology, the goddess of flowers; hence, in modern poetical language, the personification of nature’s power in producing flowers.

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1508.  Dunbar, Goldyn Targe, 74.

        Thare saw I Nature, and als Dame Venus Quene,
The fresche Aurora, and lady Flora schene.

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1667.  Milton, P. L., V. 15.

                        With voice
Milde, as when Zephyrus or Flora breathes,
Her hand soft touching, whisperd thus.

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1762.  Falconer, Shipwr., III. 234.

        Thrice happy soil! where, still serenely gay,
Indulgent Flora breathed perpetual May.

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1812.  Crabbe, Tales, x. 116.

        Here a grave Flora scarcely deigns to bloom,
Nor wears a rosy blush, nor sheds perfume.

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1851.  Carpenter, Man. Phys. (ed. 3), 65. No part of the Globe is altogether unfit for the residence of living beings, and that the empire of Flora has no limit.

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  2.  A descriptive catalogue of the plants of any geographical area, geological period, etc.

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  [From the use of the name Flora in Latin titles of works of this kind. The earliest known example is Simon Paulli’s Flora Danica, 1647; other early instances are Rupp’s Flora Jenensis, 1718, and Linnæus’ Flora Suecica, 1745]

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[1665.  Ray (title), Flora, seu de Florum Cultura. Or, a complete Florilege.]

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1777.  Lightfoot, Flora Scotica, Preface, p. xvii. It comprehends by far the greatest part, which is as much as the Flora of any country can pretend to.

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1799.  J. Hull (title), The British Flora.

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1829.  G. Johnston (title), A Flora of Berwick-upon-Tweed.

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1870.  Hooker, Stud. Flora, Pref. v. I have also consulted the usual British and Continental Floras.

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  3.  The plants or plant life of any particular region or epoch. Cf. FAUNA 1.

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1778.  G. White, Let., 3 July, in Selborne (1877), I. 217. Chalks, clays, sands sheep-walks and downs, bogs, heaths, woodlands, and champaign fields, cannot but furnish an ample flora.

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1830.  Lyell, Princ. Geol., I. 92. When the botanist turned his attention to the specific determination of fossil plants, the evidence acquired the fullest confirmation, for the flora of a country is peculiarly influenced by temperature.

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1859.  Darwin, Orig. Spec., xii. (1873), 329. The floras of distant continents would not by such means become mingled; but would remain as distinct as they now are.

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