Ardisia
Coral Berry
Coralberry
Christmas Berry
Scientific Name:
Ardisia crenata
Family:
Primulaceae
Flower Language
-
Prophecy
-
Celebration
-
Virtuous Person
-
Wealthy Person
-
Fortune
Description
Ardisia is an evergreen shrub growing up to 1.5m tall, long cherished as a New Year's lucky charm due to its auspicious name meaning 'ten thousand'. It produces small white flowers in summer clusters and bright red 6-8mm berries in late autumn. The sight of snow covering the red berries in winter is particularly beautiful, making it popular for gardens, potted plants, and New Year decorations.
Trivia
- A large-fruited variety called 'Takarabune' was developed during the Edo period
- Distinguished from Senryo by berries hanging below leaves rather than above
- Grows to about 1m in the wild but up to 1.5m in cultivation
- Varieties with white berries 'Shiromi-no-Manryo' and yellow berries 'Kimi-no-Manryo' exist
Uses
Ornamental
- New Year cut flower arrangements
- Garden shrub planting
- Potted ornamental plant
Medicinal
- Roots used in traditional Chinese medicine
- Believed to have anti-inflammatory properties
Caution:
Berries are not suitable for consumption; avoid large intake
Culinary
Not suitable for culinary use
Other
- New Year decoration material
- Gift plant for good luck
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
berries, leaves
Symptoms:
Large consumption may cause digestive discomfort
Cyclamen
Sowbread
Persian Violet
Scientific Name:
Cyclamen persicum
Family:
Primulaceae
Flower Language
-
Bashfulness
-
Modesty
-
Shyness
-
Purity
-
Shyness
-
Jealousy
Description
Cyclamen is a bulbous plant from the Primulaceae family, native to the Mediterranean region, often called the queen of winter potted flowers. It brightens the period when flowers are scarce during the year-end and New Year with its gorgeous appearance, available in red, pink, white, and color-changing varieties. While the petals appear to face upward, the flowers actually face downward in a characteristic drooping manner. The bulb is an enlarged stem that doesn't divide, with a cork-like surface that withstands dryness well.
Trivia
- Genus name Cyclamen derives from Greek word meaning 'circle', named after bulb shape
- Unique characteristic of flower stem coiling spirally after pollination
- About 20-30 species of wild cyclamen distributed in Mediterranean coastal regions
- Garden cyclamen are cold-resistant improved varieties
Uses
Ornamental
- Winter indoor potted flowers
- Outdoor cultivation as garden cyclamen
- Year-end and New Year gifts
Medicinal
- Roots used medicinally in ancient Greece
- Historical records of folk medicine use as pain reliever
Caution:
No longer used medicinally; caution needed due to toxicity
Culinary
Not suitable for culinary use
Other
- Minimal use in perfumery
- Application in horticultural therapy
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
bulb, roots, leaves
Symptoms:
Ingestion may cause digestive symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
Magnolia
Purple Magnolia
Lily Magnolia
Tulip Tree
Scientific Name:
Magnolia liliiflora
Family:
Magnoliaceae
Flower Language
-
Natural Love
-
Nobility
-
Perseverance
Description
Magnolia is a deciduous shrub to medium tree from the Magnoliaceae family, native to southern China. It blooms with large flowers standing upright in early spring before producing new leaves. The flowers are about 10cm long, opening upright but usually not fully opening. The petals are reddish-purple and emit a refreshing sweet fragrance. It grows as a medium tree of 4-5m height, tends to form multiple stems, and spreads somewhat horizontally. Named 'wood lotus' because its flowers resemble lotus blooms.
Trivia
- Previously called 'Mokuran' (wood orchid)
- Wild specimens listed as endangered species in native China
- Flower fragrance said to resemble orchids
- Different species from white magnolia, differing in flower color and blooming time
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden tree planting
- Landscape tree in parks
- Spring cut flowers
Medicinal
- Flower buds used as 'Xinyi' in traditional Chinese medicine
- Used for treating nasal congestion and headaches
Caution:
Medicinal use should be avoided without professional knowledge
Culinary
Generally not suitable for culinary use
Other
- Use in perfumery
- Symbolic tree in garden design
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No toxicity generally reported
Japanese Witch Hazel
Hamamelis
Witch Hazel
Scientific Name:
Hamamelis japonica
Family:
Hamamelidaceae
Flower Language
-
Inspiration
-
Mystery
-
Return of Happiness
-
Magic Spell
-
Magic Power
-
Good Harvest
Description
Hamamelis is a deciduous small tree endemic to Japan that blooms with yellow flowers from around February, being among the first to announce spring's arrival. The flowers are yellow with 4 petals, each petal being bright yellow, 1-1.5cm long, and ribbon-like with slightly crinkled linear form, emitting a pleasant fragrance that travels far. The leaves are asymmetrical and irregular in shape, earning it the folk name 'Katasoge' (one-sided cut). It has long been cherished as a plant for predicting good harvests.
Trivia
- Name origin has various theories: 'first to bloom', 'eternal good harvest', 'full bloom'
- Distinctive flower shape resembling ribbons fluttering in wind
- Very slow growth allows planting in narrow spaces
- Alternative name 'Katasoge' derives from asymmetrical leaf shape
Uses
Ornamental
- Early spring color as garden tree
- Landscape tree in parks
- Flower arrangement material
Medicinal
- Related North American species used medicinally
- Some use in folk medicine
Caution:
Japanese species not commonly used medicinally
Culinary
Not suitable for culinary use
Other
- Tool for harvest divination
- Creating early spring seasonal atmosphere
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No toxicity generally reported
Violet
Purple Violet
Wild Violet
Scientific Name:
Viola mandshurica
Family:
Violaceae
Flower Language
-
Modest Happiness
-
Sincerity
-
True Love
-
Modesty
Characteristics
Colors:
purple
Description
Violet is a perennial herb of the Violaceae family native to Japan, blooming with deep purple (violet color) flowers from March to May. The flowers are 1-2cm in diameter with 5 petals and a spur at the back containing nectar. Growing about 10cm tall with thick, short underground stems producing numerous basal leaves. The characteristic downward-facing blooms are impressive, quietly flowering at ground level while cherry blossoms bloom overhead. Japan is called the 'violet kingdom' with 56 species naturally occurring.
Trivia
- Flower name origin from resemblance to carpenter's tool called 'ink container'
- Color name 'violet' derives from this flower
- Napoleon continued growing violets even in exile
- Japan has 56 native violet species, making it one of world's leading violet kingdoms
Uses
Ornamental
- Admired as spring wildflower
- Rock garden planting
- Ground cover in natural gardens
Medicinal
- Used in folk medicine for cough suppression and anti-inflammation
- Used as herbal tea in Western countries
Caution:
Avoid large consumption; use under guidance of knowledgeable person
Other
- Natural purple dye
- Use in perfumery
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No toxicity generally reported (edible)