Tulip
Garden Tulip
Didier's Tulip
Scientific Name:
Tulipa gesneriana
Family:
Liliaceae
Flower Language
-
honesty
-
universal love
-
compassion
Characteristics
Colors:
yellow
Description
Tulips originated from Turkey and were introduced to the Netherlands in the 16th century, later spreading worldwide. In the 17th century Netherlands, tulips were so prized that they caused the famous 'Tulip Mania' speculative bubble. Today, countless varieties with different colors and forms have been developed, making them beloved as garden and cut flowers in spring. The flowers have 6 petals that form a cup shape, and they are perennial bulbs that bloom beautiful flowers annually.
Trivia
- During the 17th century Dutch Tulip Mania, a single bulb could cost as much as a house
- The Netherlands produces about 3 billion tulip bulbs annually
- The world's most expensive tulip bulb was sold for about 50,000 USD in 2021
- Tulip flowers open and close in response to temperature changes
Uses
Ornamental
- Used as cut flowers in bouquets and arrangements
- Garden bedding plants for spring color
- Container and pot cultivation
Medicinal
- No significant medicinal uses reported
Caution:
Bulbs contain toxic compounds and are not edible
Other
- Bulb extracts occasionally used in perfumery
- Important resource for tourism industry
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
bulbs, leaves, stems
Symptoms:
Ingestion of bulbs may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
Tulip Angelique
Double Tulip Angelique
Angelique Tulip
Scientific Name:
Tulipa gesneriana 'Angelique'
Family:
Liliaceae
Characteristics
Colors:
pale pink
Description
Angelique is a representative double-flowering tulip variety developed in the Netherlands in 1959. It features delicate petals with a mix of pale pink and cream colors, creating a romantic atmosphere reminiscent of roses or peonies. This popular variety won the Flower Bulb of the Year award in 2002 and, unlike many tulips, emits a subtle sweet fragrance.
Trivia
- Unusual among tulips for having a subtle sweet fragrance
- Longer flowering period due to double blooms, lasting about 2 weeks
- Winner of Flower Bulb of the Year 2002 award
- Number one tulip variety in popularity among women
Uses
Ornamental
- Main flower for wedding bouquets
- Luxury flower arrangements
- Special garden area cultivation
Medicinal
- No significant medicinal uses reported
Caution:
Like other tulips, bulbs are toxic
Other
- Research subject for fragrance components in perfume industry
- Decorative flower for luxury events
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
bulbs, leaves, stems
Symptoms:
Like other tulips, bulb ingestion may cause gastrointestinal symptoms
Camellia
Japanese Camellia
Common Camellia
Scientific Name:
Camellia japonica
Family:
Theaceae
Flower Language
-
ideal love
-
perfect beauty
-
supreme loveliness
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
Camellia is an evergreen tree native to Japan and a representative species of laurel forests. It features glossy dark green leaves and elegant flowers without fragrance, deeply rooted in Japanese culture since ancient times. White camellias are particularly pure and dignified, symbolizing perfect beauty. The flowering period varies by variety, allowing enjoyment from late autumn to spring. It is treated as an important plant in tea ceremony and flower arrangement, cherished as a flower symbolizing Japanese aesthetics.
Trivia
- Beloved by Coco Chanel, founder of Chanel, and became the brand's symbol
- Camellia oil has been used in Japan as natural beauty oil for over 1300 years
- While samurai disliked its trait of dropping whole flowers, tea masters loved it
- About 300 species of Camellia exist worldwide
Uses
Ornamental
- Main ornamental tree in gardens
- Cut flowers for tea ceremony
- Enjoyed as bonsai
Medicinal
- Camellia oil used for hair care and cosmetics
- Leaves used in folk medicine for hemostasis and wound treatment
Caution:
No significant side effects reported
Culinary
- seeds (as camellia oil)
- petals (decorative)
Other
- Camellia oil used in luxury cosmetics
- Wood used for crafts and tea ceremony utensils
- Sometimes used as natural dye
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No toxicity reported
Chickweed
Common Chickweed
Starwort
Scientific Name:
Stellaria media
Family:
Caryophyllaceae
Flower Language
-
rendezvous
-
secret meeting
-
lovely
Description
Chickweed is a familiar wild plant known as one of the seven herbs of spring, formally called 'hakobera.' It grows flat along the ground and produces small white flowers. While appearing to have 10 petals, it actually has 5 petals that are deeply split in two. It has been used since ancient times for food and medicine, particularly as an ingredient in tooth powder called 'hakobe salt.' It's also known as a favorite food of small birds, hence the English name 'chickweed.'
Trivia
- The genus name 'Stellaria' means 'star' in Latin, named after its small white star-like flowers
- 'Hakobe salt' was widely used as toothpaste during the Edo period
- The English name 'chickweed' comes from birds' preference for eating it
- One of the few wild plants that can bloom flowers year-round
Uses
Ornamental
- Nature observation in wild plant gardens
- Accent in spring container gardens
- Ground cover in rock gardens
Medicinal
- Used as postpartum blood purifier
- Utilized as gastrointestinal and diuretic medicine
- Used for treating skin conditions like eczema
- Used as 'hakobe salt' for preventing periodontitis
Caution:
Avoid large quantities and use under expert guidance is recommended
Other
- Used as bird feed
- Utilized as soil-improving plant
- Natural toothpaste ingredient
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally considered safe, but large quantities should be avoided
Mouse-ear Chickweed
Field Mouse-ear
Common Mouse-ear
Scientific Name:
Cerastium glomeratum
Family:
Caryophyllaceae
Description
Mouse-ear chickweed commonly refers to Cerastium glomeratum, a European naturalized plant now widespread in Japan. Named 'ear vegetable grass' because its leaves resemble mouse ears in their oval shape. The entire plant is covered with fine hairs and produces small white flowers from March to May. The flowers have 5 petals, each with a shallow split at the tip. The native Japanese mouse-ear chickweed is now found only in mountainous areas, replaced by this European species that has spread nationwide.
Trivia
- The genus name 'Cerastium' derives from Greek 'kerastes' (horn-like), named after the fruit shape
- Native Japanese and European mouse-ear chickweed look similar but differ in habitat and distribution
- Naturalization from Europe to Japan is believed to have occurred after the Meiji period
- Though treated as a weed worldwide, it plays important ecological roles
Uses
Ornamental
- Observation plant in wildflower gardens
- Accent in naturalistic gardens
- Educational plant for ecological studies
Medicinal
- Sometimes used in folk medicine for minor wound treatment
- Traditionally used in Europe for eye washing
Caution:
Medical effects unconfirmed, use with caution
Other
- Subject of ecological research
- Model for studying invasive plant impacts
- Functions as soil covering plant
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No specific toxicity reported, but large quantities should be avoided