Red Star
Rhodohypoxis
Rose Grass
Scientific Name:
Rhodohypoxis baurii
Family:
Hypoxidaceae
Flower Language
-
Waiting for love
-
Lovely and delicate
-
Unconscious
-
Ephemeral love
Description
A semi-hardy bulbous plant native to the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa. Belonging to the Hypoxidaceae family, despite having 'cherry' in its Japanese name, it's not related to the rose family. This small plant grows to 10-15cm tall and produces delicate 6-petaled flowers of 1.5-2cm diameter in succession. The flowers come in white, pink, and red colors, with petals arranged alternately and extremely short stamens and pistils that are barely visible.
Trivia
- The scientific name 'Rhodohypoxis' means 'rose-colored Hypoxis' in Greek
- Possibly named in connection with the Battle of Attu during WWII
- Has the unusual characteristic of 6 petals arranged alternately
- Stamens and pistils are extremely short and barely visible
Uses
Ornamental
- Potted plant cultivation
- Rock gardens
- Container arrangements
Medicinal
- Not commonly used for medicinal purposes
Caution:
Limited information available on medicinal use
Culinary
Not used for culinary purposes
Toxicity
Toxic Parts:
No toxicity reported
Symptoms:
No harmful symptoms reported
Japanese Apricot
Plum Blossom
Chinese Plum
Japanese Plum
Scientific Name:
Prunus mume
Family:
Rosaceae
Flower Language
-
Pure heart
-
Fidelity
-
Noble character
-
Patience
-
Elegance
-
Refinement
Description
A deciduous tree of the genus Prunus in the Rosaceae family, originally from China. Introduced to Japan during the Nara period, plum blossoms were the preferred flowers for hanami (flower viewing) during the Heian period. Symbolizing patience and nobility for blooming beautiful, fragrant flowers during harsh winter, the fruit is processed into pickled plums and plum wine, deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Believed to ward off disasters, there's a custom of planting plum trees at the demon gate direction.
Trivia
- Before the Nara period, 'flower' specifically referred to plum blossoms
- The Manyoshu collection contains 118 poems about plum blossoms
- Sugawara no Michizane's famous poem about plum blossoms is well known
- There are said to be over 300 varieties of plum
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden tree planting
- Bonsai cultivation
- Cut flower arrangements
- Park and street tree planting
Medicinal
- Smoked green plum (wumei) used in traditional Chinese medicine
- Effects for treating diarrhea and cough
- Fatigue reduction effects being researched
Caution:
Raw consumption of unripe fruit is dangerous due to hydrogen cyanide content
Culinary
- Fruit (after processing)
- Flowers (decorative)
Other
- Used as fragrance
- Utilized as dye
- Wood also used for crafts
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Unripe fruit, Seeds, Leaves (slightly)
Symptoms:
Raw consumption of unripe fruit may cause poisoning, but toxicity is removed through processing
Water Dropwort
Japanese Parsley
Water Celery
Scientific Name:
Oenanthe javanica
Family:
Apiaceae
Flower Language
-
Pure and noble
-
Noble despite poverty
Description
A perennial herb of the Apiaceae family native to Japan, long cherished as one of the seven spring herbs. It grows in colonies along paddy field ridges and wetlands, stretching upward as if competing for space, hence the name 'seri' (competing). Young shoots and roots are edible with distinctive aroma and slight bitterness. Small white flowers bloom in clusters during summer. Nutritionally valuable as a green-yellow vegetable, enjoyed in seven-herb porridge and hot pot dishes.
Trivia
- Named 'seri' meaning 'competing' due to its competitive growth pattern
- The only native Japanese species among the seven spring herbs
- Rich in vitamin C, iron, and calcium
- Both wild and cultivated varieties exist, with cultivated ones being softer and easier to eat
Uses
Ornamental
- Ornamental aquatic plant
- Use in biotope gardens
Medicinal
- Digestive and appetite stimulating effects
- Fever reducing properties
- Effective for neuralgia and rheumatism
- Diuretic effects
- Detoxifying properties
Caution:
No serious side effects reported, but avoid excessive consumption
Culinary
- Young shoots
- Stems
- Buds
- Roots
Other
- Used for water purification
- Contributes to ecosystem maintenance
Toxicity
Toxic Parts:
Non-toxic
Symptoms:
Safe for food consumption
Hyacinth
Common Hyacinth
Dutch Hyacinth
Scientific Name:
Hyacinthus orientalis
Family:
Asparagaceae
Flower Language
-
Jealousy
-
Sports
-
Games
-
Play
Characteristics
Colors:
red
Description
A bulbous plant of the Asparagaceae family native to the eastern Mediterranean coast. Forms beautiful flower spikes with sweet, elegant fragrance in spring, with diverse colors including white, pink, blue-purple, red-purple, and yellow. Named after the beautiful youth Hyacinthos from Greek mythology. Can be grown in water and enjoyed indoors from winter to spring. Cold-hardy and popular as a herald of spring's arrival.
Trivia
- Popular educational material for observing root growth through water cultivation
- Beautiful hyacinth fields can be seen at Keukenhof Gardens in Netherlands during spring
- Gloves recommended when peeling bulb skin
- Strong fragrance makes it unsuitable for bedrooms
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden bed planting
- Potted cultivation
- Water cultivation
- Cut flower arrangements
- Flower bed coloring
Medicinal
- Not used medicinally in modern times
Caution:
Medicinal use is dangerous due to bulb toxicity
Culinary
Culinary use is prohibited
Other
- Use in fragrance industry
- Important crop in horticultural industry
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs, Bulb scales, All parts
Symptoms:
Alkaloid poisoning causing vomiting, diarrhea, throat swelling, dermatitis, severe cases may cause breathing difficulties
Wormseed Wallflower
Treacle Mustard
Worm-seed Mustard
Scientific Name:
Erysimum cheiranthoides
Family:
Brassicaceae
Flower Language
-
Not defeated by adversity
-
Overcoming difficulties
Description
An annual herb of the genus Erysimum in the Brassicaceae family, widely distributed in northern temperate regions. Growing 10-60cm tall with branching upper stems. Leaves are alternate, narrowly elliptical with pointed tips and low serrated edges. Produces racemose inflorescences at stem tips from April to July, bearing numerous small yellow 4-petaled flowers. Native to coastal areas of Hokkaido and naturalized in the Kinki region. Symbolizes strength that doesn't yield to adversity due to its ability to grow in harsh conditions.
Trivia
- Scientific name 'cheiranthoides' means 'resembling wallflower'
- Has characteristic cruciform flowers of Brassicaceae family
- Relatively common in coastal areas of Hokkaido
- Known as hardy plant adapted to harsh environments
Uses
Ornamental
- Natural observation as wild plant
- Use in natural gardens
Medicinal
- Not used medicinally in modern times
- Historically may have been used as folk medicine in some regions
Caution:
Safety for medicinal use unconfirmed
Other
- Important as ecosystem component
- Soil protection function
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
unknown
Toxic Parts:
Detailed toxicity information unknown
Symptoms:
No confirmed information about toxicity symptoms
Tulip
Garden Tulip
Didier's Tulip
Scientific Name:
Tulipa gesneriana
Family:
Liliaceae
Flower Language
-
Lost love
-
New love
-
Purity
-
Thoughtfulness
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
A bulbous plant of the Liliaceae family native to Central Asia, beloved worldwide as a representative spring flower. Produces beautiful cup-shaped flowers with over 5,600 varieties available. Various flower forms include single, double, lily-flowered, and fringed types with abundant color variations. The Netherlands is known as the world's largest bulb producer, and tulips are essential plants that color spring gardens and parks. White tulips symbolize purity and new love.
Trivia
- The Dutch tulip mania economic phenomenon occurred in 17th century Netherlands
- There are said to be over 5,600 varieties worldwide
- Bulb farmers can develop 'tulip finger' dermatitis from prolonged contact
- Keukenhof Gardens in Netherlands is famous as the world's largest tulip garden
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden planting
- Park and street landscaping
- Potted plant appreciation
- Cut flower arrangements
- Bulb forcing in water
Medicinal
- Not used medicinally in modern times
Caution:
Dangerous for medicinal use as it's a toxic plant
Culinary
Culinary use prohibited due to toxicity
Other
- Important crop in bulb industry
- Contribution to tourism industry
- Major flower material in floral arrangement industry
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs, Stems, Leaves, Flowers
Symptoms:
Cyclic ketones and glycosides can cause nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, and contact dermatitis