Hyacinth
Common Hyacinth
Garden Hyacinth
Scientific Name:
Hyacinthus orientalis
Family:
Asparagaceae
Flower Language
-
Sincerity of first love
-
Love that transcends sorrow
Characteristics
Colors:
Purple
Description
A perennial bulb plant native to the eastern Mediterranean coast. Many varieties were developed through selective breeding in the Netherlands from the 16th century onwards. Purple small 6-petaled flowers curve back to form gorgeous flower clusters on thick flower stems extending from the center of radiating thick leaves, emitting a pleasant fragrance. It's popular as a standard bulb for hydroponic cultivation.
Trivia
- The Netherlands is the world's largest hyacinth bulb producer
- In the 18th century, a single bulb could be worth as much as a house
- The flower's fragrance becomes stronger at night
- One of the flowers loved by Napoleon's wife Josephine
Uses
Ornamental
- Indoor hydroponic cultivation
- Spring garden planting
- Cut flowers
- Potted plants
Medicinal
- Historically believed to have diuretic properties
- Not currently used medicinally
Caution:
Bulbs are toxic and should not be used for food or medicine
Other
- Fragrance material
- Aromatherapy
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs, Leaves, Flowers
Symptoms:
Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis. Skin contact may cause dermatitis.
Squill
Wild Hyacinth
Bluebell
Spring Squill
Scientific Name:
Scilla siberica
Family:
Asparagaceae
Flower Language
-
Sensitive heart
-
Loneliness
-
Unchanging love
Description
A bulb plant with about 100 species native to various parts of the world. The most popular types are those with bell-shaped flowers and those with many small star-shaped flowers. They bloom white, blue, and pink flowers in spring, are cold-hardy, and provide charming flowers from winter to early spring. They can be enjoyed in garden planting or pot cultivation and are also popular as cut flowers.
Trivia
- The scientific name Scilla means harmful in Greek
- Britain has famous bluebell woods
- Highly ornamental due to beautiful star-shaped flowers
- A hardy plant that withstands harsh winter cold
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden planting
- Potted plants
- Cut flowers
- Rock gardens
Medicinal
- Historically used as heart medicine in ancient times
- Not currently used medicinally
Caution:
Contains toxins in the bulb, so should not be used for medicinal or food purposes
Other
- Natural garden landscaping
- Ground cover
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs, Leaves
Symptoms:
Ingestion may cause gastrointestinal disturbances. The bulb part contains particularly strong toxins.
Japanese Plum
Plum Blossom
Ume
Scientific Name:
Prunus mume
Family:
Rosaceae
Characteristics
Colors:
Red
Description
A deciduous tall tree of the Rosaceae family, genus Prunus, native to China. It was introduced to Japan before the Nara period and has been beloved since ancient times. It blooms fragrant white or red 5-petaled flowers in harsh cold, and is cherished as a flower that announces the arrival of spring. Before the Nara period, flowers referred to plum blossoms, and even now they are considered auspicious as part of the pine-bamboo-plum trio.
Trivia
- Before the Nara period, flowers referred to plum blossoms
- The flying plum at Dazaifu Tenmangu is said to have flown there out of longing for Sugawara no Michizane
- Plum blossoms bloom about a month earlier than cherry blossoms
- About 300 varieties of plum exist in Japan
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden trees
- Park trees
- Bonsai
- Cut flowers
- Ikebana
Medicinal
- Unripe plums used medicinally
- Used as cough suppressant and stomach medicine
Caution:
Unripe fruits contain toxins and require proper processing
Other
- Patterns and designs
- Dyes
- Wood utilization
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Unripe fruits, Seeds
Symptoms:
Unripe fruits and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and may cause poisoning symptoms if consumed in large quantities.
Crown of Thorns
Christ's Plant
Kiss Me Quick
Scientific Name:
Euphorbia milii
Family:
Euphorbiaceae
Flower Language
-
Kiss me quick
-
Enduring adversity
-
Pure love
Description
A succulent plant of the Euphorbiaceae family native to Madagascar. The stem grows upward to nearly 2m tall, with numerous thick, sharp thorns about 2cm long on the surface. What appears to be flowers are actually bracts, with the real flowers in the center. The flowering period is long from spring to autumn, producing beautiful red and pink flowers. It has an English name derived from the crown of thorns worn by Christ.
Trivia
- Named after its discoverer, Admiral Pierre Bernard Milius
- Thorns start red and soft but become brown and hard as they grow
- Extremely long flowering period, can be enjoyed almost year-round
- Some varieties have almost no thorns
Uses
Ornamental
- Indoor houseplants
- Greenhouse cultivation
- Garden trees (warm regions)
- Potted plants
Medicinal
- Traditionally used medicinally in Madagascar
- Currently mainly used for ornamental purposes
Caution:
Avoid medicinal use as the latex is toxic
Other
- Feng shui protection
- Religious decoration
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Stems, Leaves, Latex
Symptoms:
Contact with latex can cause dermatitis, and ingestion may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Severe pain occurs if it gets in the eyes.
Saffron
Saffron Crocus
Autumn Crocus
Scientific Name:
Crocus sativus
Family:
Iridaceae
Flower Language
-
Joy
-
Beauty of moderation
-
Beware of excess
Description
A perennial bulb plant of the Iridaceae family, genus Crocus, that blooms beautiful purple flowers in autumn. The dried stigmas become the spice saffron, known as the world's most expensive spice. About 160 flowers are needed to produce 1 gram of saffron, and its rarity sometimes makes it more expensive than gold. It gives a unique aroma and golden color to dishes like paella and bouillabaisse.
Trivia
- Can be more expensive than gold at 500-1000 yen per gram
- Said to have been used for beauty by Cleopatra in ancient Egypt
- Iran accounts for about 90% of world production
- Harvesting is done by hand in early morning, flowers must be picked before they open
Uses
Ornamental
- Autumn garden planting
- Potted plants
- Bulb cultivation
Medicinal
- Blood circulation promotion
- Emmenagogue effects
- Sedative effects
- Improvement of poor circulation
Caution:
Large doses are dangerous, avoid use during pregnancy
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs, Leaves
Symptoms:
Large doses may cause nervous hypersensitivity, vomiting, and diarrhea. No problems with moderate use.