The perceived beauty of flowers might influence the psychological benefits they provide to humans. Some researchers have suggested that the presence of plants positively affects mood ( Larsen et al., 1998 Shibata & Suzuki, 2002 Haviland-Jones et al., 2005) and attention ( Herzog et al., 1997 Kaplan & Kaplan, 1995 Kaplan, 1995 Lohr, Pearson-Mims & Goodwin, 1996 Raanaas et al., 2011 Tennessen & Cimprich, 1995), reduces stress ( Cackowski & Nasar, 2003 Grahn & Stigsdotter, 2010) and even decreases recovery time after surgery ( Ulrich, 1984). Many aspects of people-plant relationships have been explored in past years, especially the effects of plants and flowers on the human psyche. This human attitude towards plants and flowers is known as phytophilia ( Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1989). Flowers also serve as traditional and highly esteemed gifts ( Haviland-Jones et al., 2005). We grow flowering plants in our apartments and gardens, horticulturists put much effort into breeding new types of ornamental flowers, and floral motifs are often present on paintings, fabrics, china or jewelry ( Appleton, 1996 Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1989). The aesthetic appreciation of flowers is manifested in many ways. People across cultures find flowers beautiful. The results may serve as a basis for further studies in some areas of the people-plant interaction research. We also found a positive effect of sharp flower contours and blue color on the overall rating of flower beauty. Prototypical flowers, i.e., radially symmetrical flowers with low complexity, were rated as the most beautiful. In the overall assessment of beauty, shape was more important than color. When controlling for flower shape, we found an unequal preference for different flower colors, blue being the most and yellow the least preferred. Colored flowers were preferred over their uncolored versions. In this study, we used an online survey in which residents of the Czech Republic ( n = 2006) rated the perceived beauty of 52 flower stimuli of diverse shapes and colors. Although the evolutionary aesthetics provides some theories concerning generally preferred flower traits, empirical evidence is largely missing. Surprisingly, we know very little about the actual properties which make flowers so appealing to humans. There is no doubt that people find flowers beautiful.
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