Winter Jasmine
Yellow Plum
迎春花
金梅
Scientific Name:
Jasminum nudiflorum
Family:
Oleaceae
Flower Language
-
expectation
-
modest beauty
-
grace
-
nobility
Characteristics
Colors:
yellow
Description
A deciduous shrub of the Oleaceae family native to China, blooming yellow flowers resembling plum blossoms in early spring from January to March. The flowers have little fragrance and bloom before the leaves emerge, with 6 petals. It was introduced to Japan during the Kan'ei period of the Edo era and is also called Geishunka (welcoming spring flower). The branches are green with 4 ridges, drooping like vines and rooting where they touch the ground.
Trivia
- Despite being called 'yellow plum', it's actually related to jasmine, not plum
- Has 6 petals while plum flowers have 5
- Typically propagated by cuttings as it doesn't produce fruit
- Called 'welcoming spring flower' in China and considered a symbol of spring
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden planting
- Flower arranging material
- Bonsai cultivation
Medicinal
- Fever reduction in traditional Chinese medicine
- Anti-inflammatory effects
Caution:
Avoid medicinal use without expert guidance
Other
- Fragrance material
- Cosmetic ingredient
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
All parts
Symptoms:
Possible mild gastrointestinal upset with large ingestion
Spring Snowflake
Eranthis
Scientific Name:
Eranthis pinnatifida
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Flower Language
-
elegance
-
radiance
-
smile
-
purity
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
A perennial herb of the Ranunculaceae family, a small plant about 10cm tall. Named for blooming around Setsubun (early February). What appears white are sepals, not petals, with the actual petals being the yellow central part. Native to areas west of the Kanto region on the Pacific side, growing in colonies in deciduous forests on limestone terrain. Appears above ground for only about 3 months annually, going dormant underground after spring flowering.
Trivia
- Scientific name Eranthis means 'spring flower' in Greek
- The white parts that look like petals are actually sepals (modified leaves)
- Above ground for only about 3 months per year
- Grows only in the limited environment of limestone terrain
Uses
Ornamental
- Wildflower garden viewing
- Rock garden cultivation
- Potted early spring wildflower
Medicinal
- Fever reduction in folk medicine
- Believed to have analgesic effects
Caution:
Dangerous for medicinal use as it's a poisonous plant
Other
- Indicator plant for environmental protection
- Important species for ecosystem conservation
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
All parts, Especially bulb portions
Symptoms:
Serious symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and convulsions from alkaloid poisoning
Rhodohypoxis
Red Star
Rose Grass
Scientific Name:
Rhodohypoxis baurii
Family:
Hypoxidaceae
Flower Language
-
lovely
-
unconscious
-
waiting for love
-
fleeting love
Characteristics
Colors:
pink
Description
A perennial of the Hypoxidaceae family, a very small plant 10-15cm tall. Introduced to Japan in the early Showa period. Blooms 1.5-2cm diameter 6-petaled flowers from May to June, with colors ranging from white to pink and red. Characterized by alternating petals, with very short and inconspicuous stamens and pistils. Despite having 'cherry' in its name, it's completely different from cherry trees.
Trivia
- Scientific name 'Rhodohypoxis' means 'rose-colored Hypoxis'
- Various theories exist for the name 'Attu Cherry', including Attu Island and horticultural naming
- Despite having 'cherry' in the name, completely unrelated to cherry trees
- Pollination is difficult due to very short stamens and pistils
Uses
Ornamental
- Rock garden cultivation
- Container gardening
- Small garden planting
Medicinal
Caution:
No recorded medicinal uses
Other
- Alpine plant collections
- Collection as rare bulbous plant
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No particular toxicity reported
Pussy Willow
Rosegold Pussy Willow
狗尾柳
Scientific Name:
Salix gracilistyla
Family:
Salicaceae
Flower Language
-
freedom
-
frankness
-
as one wishes
-
efforts rewarded
Characteristics
Colors:
silver-white
Description
A deciduous shrub of the Salicaceae family that grows 1-3m tall. Produces fluffy catkins densely covered with silver-white silky hairs from March to April, named for their resemblance to a cat's tail. It's dioecious with separate male and female plants. Distributed from Hokkaido to Kyushu in Japan, naturally growing in sunny, moist areas near rivers and waterways. Commonly used as flower material in ikebana.
Trivia
- Alternative name 'dog tail willow' compares flowers to a puppy's tail
- Catkin hairs are silky soft and lustrous
- Dioecious with male flowers generally larger and more beautiful
- Easily roots when simply placed in water
Uses
Ornamental
- Ikebana flower material
- Garden tree planting
- Cut flower use
Medicinal
- Bark has fever-reducing and analgesic effects
- Folk medicine for arthritis treatment
Caution:
Contains salicylic acid, requires expert guidance
Other
- Riverbank greening
- Environmental conservation technology
- Biomass fuel
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Bark
Symptoms:
Possible gastrointestinal irritation from salicylic acid
Snowflake
Summer Snowflake
Loddon Lily
スズランズイセン
Scientific Name:
Leucojum aestivum
Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Flower Language
-
purity
-
chastity
-
innocent heart
-
compassion
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
A bulbous plant of the Amaryllidaceae family native to central and southern Europe. From March to April, it extends 30-40cm flower stems with 1-4 white bell-shaped flowers hanging downward at the tips. Flowers are about 1.5cm with 6-lobed petals having green spots at the tips. Leaves are elongated like daffodils, rising in numbers from the base. Japanese names include Oomatsuyukisou or Suzuran-zuisen.
Trivia
- Scientific name 'Leucojum' means 'white violet' in Greek
- Green spots on petals are distinctive identification points
- Often confused with snowdrops but they're different genera
- Very hardy and blooms annually even when left unattended
Uses
Ornamental
- Spring garden planting
- Cut flower use
- Container gardening
Medicinal
Caution:
Medicinal use prohibited as it's a poisonous plant
Other
- Viewing naturalized wild colonies
- Wildflower garden cultivation
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
All parts, Especially bulbs
Symptoms:
Serious symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing difficulties from alkaloid poisoning
Cattail
Broadleaf Cattail
Common Cattail
Bulrush
Scientific Name:
Typha latifolia
Family:
Typhaceae
Flower Language
-
obedience
-
honesty
-
compassion
-
rescue
Characteristics
Colors:
brown
Description
A perennial aquatic plant of the Typhaceae family that grows in colonies in ponds, marshes, and riverbanks. Most characteristic feature is the brown cylindrical flower spike resembling frankfurters or sausages. Blooms from June to August with yellow male flowers in the upper section and greenish-brown female flowers in the lower section. Pollen is called 'hoou' and used medicinally. Leaves have long been used as material for mats and rugs.
Trivia
- Plant that gave its name to kamaboko (fish cake)
- Flower spikes explosively release fluffy seeds for dispersal
- Historically used spike fluff mixed with saltpeter as tinder
- English name 'Cattail' comes from resemblance to cat's tail
Uses
Ornamental
- Waterside nature observation
- Biotope cultivation
- Dried flower arrangements
Medicinal
- Pollen (hoou) has diuretic and emmenagogue effects
- Hemostatic and analgesic effects
- Ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine
Caution:
Use under expert guidance
Other
- Material for mats and rugs
- Barrel sealing material
- Mosquito coil ingredient
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No particular toxicity reported