Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia
Crane Flower
Scientific Name:
Strelitzia reginae
Family:
Strelitziaceae
Flower Language
-
bright future
-
all-purpose
-
obtaining everything
-
sophisticated love
Description
A perennial plant native to South Africa, characterized by vibrant orange sepals and blue petals. Called 'Bird of Paradise' due to its spectacular appearance resembling the paradise bird, it is commonly used in modern ikebana and flower arrangements. The scientific name comes from Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the birthplace of Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III of England.
Trivia
- Called 'lasting beauty' because one flower lasts over a week
- Planted as street trees in Los Angeles and blooms year-round
- Treasured by luxury hotels as cut flowers maintain beauty for about 2 weeks
- Used in the design of the 50 cent coin in South Africa
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flowers for luxury flower arrangements
- Indoor cultivation as houseplants
- Landscape plants in gardens
Medicinal
- In South African traditional medicine, leaves are brewed for fever reduction
- Believed to have anti-inflammatory properties
Caution:
Medical effects are not scientifically proven, so medical use should be avoided
Culinary
Not for consumption
Other
- Luxury hotel lobby decoration
- Wedding venue decoration
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
leaves, stems
Symptoms:
Large quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal disturbance
Narcissus
Daffodil
Japanese Narcissus
Scientific Name:
Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis
Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Flower Language
-
narcissism
-
mystery
-
memories
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
A bulb plant native to the Mediterranean coast that came to Japan via China. Characterized by white petals and yellow corona, it emits a strong fragrance. Beloved as a painting subject since the Muromachi period, it possesses mystical beauty as its name origin suggests - reflecting the figure of a hermit in water. A representative winter flower blooming from December to February, also popular as New Year decorative flowers.
Trivia
- The Echizen coast in Fukui Prefecture is one of Japan's three major narcissus colonies with about 1.2 million wild plants
- Called 'snow flower' since ancient times, praised for its strength to bloom beautifully even in snow
- Also called 'golden cup flower' because the flower shape resembles a sake cup
- Cultivated as medicinal herbs during the Edo period, with bulbs traded at high prices
Uses
Ornamental
- New Year ikebana
- Tea ceremony flowers
- Winter garden color
Medicinal
- In Chinese traditional medicine, bulbs used for detoxification
- Used in folk medicine for cough relief
Caution:
Bulbs contain toxic alkaloids, so amateur medicinal use is dangerous
Culinary
Toxic, prohibited for consumption
Other
- Perfume ingredient
- Essential oil extraction
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
bulbs, leaves, stems
Symptoms:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, cardiovascular and nervous system disorders
Pine
Pine Tree
Japanese Pine
Scientific Name:
Pinus thunbergii
Family:
Pinaceae
Flower Language
-
immortality and longevity
-
eternal youth
-
bravery
Description
An evergreen coniferous tree widely distributed in temperate to subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. In Japan, it has been revered as a sacred tree since ancient times and is beloved as a symbolic tree for New Year's kadomatsu and gardens. Due to its characteristic of maintaining green even in winter, it symbolizes 'immortality and longevity' and 'eternal youth', and is a prestigious plant as the leader of pine, bamboo, and plum. It has a very long lifespan, with some ancient trees existing for hundreds to over a thousand years.
Trivia
- Japan's oldest pine is a five-needle pine estimated to be 2000 years old near 'Yamataka Jindai Zakura' in Yamanashi Prefecture
- Some bonsai pines have hundreds of years of history and are of national treasure-class value
- Matsutake mushrooms are fungi that have a symbiotic relationship with pine roots
- Einstein is said to have been moved by bonsai pines when he visited Japan
Uses
Ornamental
- Kadomatsu for New Year decorations
- Main trees in gardens
- Bonsai for indoor decoration
Medicinal
- Pine needles brewed as health tea
- Pine resin used as external medicine
Caution:
Caution needed as it may cause allergic reactions
Culinary
- pine nuts
- pine needles (as tea)
Other
- Used as construction material
- Paints and adhesives manufactured from pine resin
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally non-toxic, but avoid large quantities
Saffron
Saffron Crocus
Autumn Crocus
Scientific Name:
Crocus sativus
Family:
Iridaceae
Flower Language
-
cheerfulness
-
joy
-
beauty of moderation
-
beware of excess
Description
A bulb plant native to the Mediterranean that blooms beautiful purple flowers from October to December. The dried pistils of the flowers are used as the spice saffron, and due to the rarity of only 1g being obtainable from 100 flowers, it's also called 'red gold'. Treasured since ancient times as spice, dye, and medicine, it's still used for flavoring and coloring in luxury cuisine today.
Trivia
- About 150,000 flowers are needed to make 1 kilogram of saffron
- Cleopatra is said to have bathed in saffron baths
- Iran currently accounts for about 90% of world production
- The price per gram sometimes exceeds that of gold
Uses
Ornamental
- Autumn garden color
- Rock garden decoration
- Indoor cultivation in pots
Medicinal
- Used as sedative since ancient times
- Digestive promotion effects
- Blood circulation promotion
Caution:
Prohibited during pregnancy, excessive consumption is dangerous
Other
- Luxury dye for fabric dyeing
- Cosmetic ingredient
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
bulbs, pistils when consumed excessively
Symptoms:
Large quantities may cause nausea, vomiting, and nervous hypersensitivity