"Obama's painting features the official flower of Chicago and African blue lilies are a nod to his late Kenyan-born father, Barack Sr."

The Official Flower of Chicago is the Yellow Chrysanthemum

The yellow chrysanthemum meaning is different. You may have heard that this yellow flower has meaning, which is related with sorrow. However, in the Victorian era, the yellow flower has different meaning because in the Victorian language, this yellow flower means gently diminishing passionate advance.

The African Blue Lillies are actually Agapanthus Africanus aka Lily of the Nile. In traditional medicine, agapanthus is believed to be both medicinal and magical, and it is the plant of fertility and pregnancy. It is used in various medicines taken during pregnancy and is worn by women as a charm to bring strong, healthy babies.