Peony and plum blossom in the running for national honor

Although they are undeniably beautiful, flowers sometimes trigger debate.

In China, this has centered for decades around the fact that the country does not have a national flower, despite having plenty to choose from among traditional art and culture, including peonies, orchids, chrysanthemums, plum blossoms, lotuses, jasmines and narcissus.

More than 100 countries have a national flower, but China, a nation with a rich floral heritage and culture, does not.