Flora was a minor fertility goddess. She was the patroness of courtesans, as Isis was, which meant calling the virtue of matrons in question. She was the goddesss of flowering, especially of grain and the vine. Flora had the power to make the trees blossom and presided over everything that bloomed.

According to the legends, she was introduced to Rome by Titus Tatius. She was honoured by every race in Italy. The Sabine people dedicated a month to her corresponding to April in the Roman calendar. Flora had her own priest at Rome. The Floralia were celebrated in her honour; these were marked by games in which courtesans took part.

Ovid suggest that Flora was a Greek Nymph called "Chloris". He relates how "Zephyr", the god of the west wind, fell in love with her and carried her off. He married her and, to show his love, he granted her dominion over the flowers. Honey is said to have been one of her gifts to mankind, as well as the seeds of countless varieties of flowers.

Ovid's version of this legend probably used "Orithyia's" abduction by "Boreas" as the model for the account of Flora's abduction.