A competition has been announced to select the symbol of 2026 among wild plants

Belarus has announced the "Plant of the Year 2026" competition, aimed at selecting a wild plant to become the symbol of 2026.

The "Plant of the Year 2026" competition is organized by the public association "Botanical Society." To participate in the competition, anyone can submit one to three names of wild plants growing in Belarus that could be chosen as the symbol for 2026 to the organizers. Each name must be accompanied by a brief justification for the choice.

This year's Plant of the Year is the cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) – a flower found on forest edges, roadsides, ravine slopes, in crops, clearings, and abandoned fields. The cornflower won by a majority of votes over its closest competitors (common thyme and common heather) in an online poll.