Snapdragon
Antirrhinum
Snap
Scientific Name:
Antirrhinum majus
Family:
Plantaginaceae
Flower Language
-
desire
-
talkative
-
pure heart
Description
Snapdragon is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean coast of Southern Europe and North Africa, belonging to the Plantaginaceae family. In Japan, it is treated as an annual. Named for its flower shape resembling a swimming goldfish or mouth, the English name Snapdragon comes from the flower's resemblance to a dragon's mouth. It blooms colorful flowers from March to June and September to October, emitting a sweet fragrance. Various cultivars range from tall to compact types, used widely for cut flowers, garden beds, and potted plants.
Trivia
- Gently pressing the flower from the side makes it open and close like talking, inspiring the 'talkative' flower meaning
- During the Victorian era, it was considered essential for gardens and beloved by many poets and painters
- It takes about 3-4 months from seed germination to flowering
- Prefers cool climates and is sensitive to summer heat
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
- Ornamental cultivation in gardens and pots
- Border plantings in gardening
Medicinal
- Used in folk medicine for cough suppression and fever reduction
- Historically used for treating skin conditions
Caution:
Medicinal use is not recommended currently.
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption.
Other
- Contributes to ecosystem as insect-attracting plant
- Sometimes used as fragrance in perfumes and cosmetics
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Trace toxic components in all parts
Symptoms:
Large consumption may cause mild gastrointestinal upset
Viola
Pansy
Scientific Name:
Viola × wittrockiana
Family:
Violaceae
Flower Language
-
sincerity
-
innocence
-
modesty
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
Viola belongs to the Violaceae family and is botanically the same as pansies. Generally, flowers under 4cm in diameter are called violas, while those over 5cm are called pansies. Native to Europe and North America, they bloom for long periods from December to June. White violas give a particularly pure and elegant impression, suitable for combinations with other flowers. Hardy and easy for beginners to grow, they readily self-seed and are beloved by gardening enthusiasts. The flower meaning 'sincerity' comes from their nature of blooming continuously for long periods.
Trivia
- The name 'Viola' comes from Latin meaning 'purple', as the original flowers were purple
- The boundary between pansies and violas is actually ambiguous, with many intermediate sizes due to breeding
- Often blooms again the next year from self-seeding, sometimes called 'living mulch'
- Napoleon loved violets and planted them in his garden even during his exile on Elba
Uses
Ornamental
- Mixed plantings and solo cultivation in flower beds
- Cultivation in planters and pots
- Use as ground cover
Medicinal
- Used in folk medicine for cough suppression and bronchitis treatment
- Historically used for treating skin inflammation and wounds
Caution:
Medicinal use is not common currently.
Other
- Used as raw material for perfumes and cosmetics
- Material for pressed flowers and dried flowers
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic.
Katakuri
Dogtooth violet
Japanese fawn lily
Scientific Name:
Erythronium japonicum
Family:
Liliaceae
Flower Language
-
first love
-
enduring loneliness
-
jealousy
Description
Katakuri is a perennial herb of the lily family endemic to Japan, growing in colonies in mountain forests. It has a unique life history requiring 7-9 years from seed germination to flowering, with above-ground parts visible only for 4-5 weeks in spring each year. This brief appearance period earns it the name 'spring fairy' (spring ephemeral). The flowers open only when sunlight hits them, and their downward-facing blooms reminiscent of shy first love inspired the flower meaning 'first love'. While starch was once made from its bulbs, modern katakuri-ko (potato starch) is primarily made from potatoes.
Trivia
- Famous katakuri colonies include Sakurayama Park in Gunma and Togakushi Plateau in Nagano
- Flowers open only on sunny mornings, remaining closed on cloudy or rainy days
- Bulbs are deep underground and gradually move deeper each year
- While the name 'katakuri-ko' (katakuri starch) remains, most commercial products are now potato starch
Uses
Ornamental
- Cultivation as wildflowers in gardens
- Use in natural-style gardens and rock gardens
- Potted plant appreciation
Medicinal
- Used as gastrointestinal medicine in folk therapy
- Applied externally for treating bruises and swelling
Caution:
Currently protected, collection is prohibited.
Other
- Tourism resource for ecotourism
- Educational material for environmental education
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic, but collection is prohibited as it's a protected plant.
Nemophila
Baby blue eyes
Scientific Name:
Nemophila menziesii
Family:
Boraginaceae
Flower Language
-
I forgive you
-
adorable
-
success everywhere
-
refreshing heart
Description
Nemophila is an annual of the Boraginaceae family native to North America, blooming small blue flowers from March to May. The name derives from Greek 'nemos' (small forest) and 'phileo' (to love), meaning a flower that loves forests. The Japanese name 'ruri-karakusa' comes from the lapis lazuli-colored flowers and leaves resembling arabesque patterns. The charming 2-3cm flowers have white centers, resembling a baby's blue eyes, hence the English name 'Baby blue eyes'. Popular as ground cover due to its spreading habit.
Trivia
- Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki features about 5.3 million nemophila creating a blue carpet
- Often blooms again the next year from self-seeding, creating natural landscapes
- The flower meaning 'I forgive you' comes from a Greek myth about lovers reconciling
- Known for blooming en masse after wildfires in California
Uses
Ornamental
- Mass planting and mixed plantings in flower beds
- Use as ground cover
- Cultivation in rock gardens
Medicinal
- Used for cough suppression in Native American traditional medicine
- Applied for skin inflammation relief in folk medicine
Caution:
Medicinal use is not common currently.
Other
- Nectar source attracting bees and butterflies
- Material for pressed flower crafts
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic.
Snow-on-the-mountain
Ghost weed
White-margined spurge
Scientific Name:
Euphorbia marginata
Family:
Euphorbiaceae
Flower Language
-
curiosity
-
peaceful life
-
blessing
Description
Snow-on-the-mountain is an annual of the Euphorbiaceae family native to North America, with the scientific name Euphorbia marginata. As its name suggests, it features beautiful white-edged leaves resembling fresh snow accumulation. While it blooms from July to August in midsummer, its ornamental value lies in the beautiful white-margined leaves. When flower clusters begin to appear, the upper leaves become dense with white borders. Excellent heat tolerance and resistance to direct summer sunlight make it popular as a leaf plant for summer gardens. However, caution is needed with the white latex from cut stems, which can cause dermatitis.
Trivia
- Contrary to its name, it's most beautiful during hot midsummer periods
- Has a taproot system and dislikes transplanting, typically grown from direct seeding
- White latex was once believed effective for wart removal, but use is no longer recommended
- Naturalized and forms colonies in American grasslands
Uses
Ornamental
- Leaf plant for summer flower beds
- Accent plant in mixed plantings
- Material for cut flowers and arrangements
Medicinal
- Used for treating skin conditions in Native American traditional medicine
- Believed to have anti-inflammatory properties in folk medicine
Caution:
Not recommended for medicinal use due to toxic latex.
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption. Latex is toxic.
Other
- Material for dried flower arrangements
- White accent in garden design
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
White latex from stems, All parts
Symptoms:
Skin contact may cause inflammation and blistering. Contact with eyes can cause serious symptoms.
Black poplar
Lombardy poplar
Italian poplar
Scientific Name:
Populus nigra var. italica
Family:
Salicaceae
Flower Language
-
courage
-
lament
-
nerve
-
sensitive
Description
Black poplar is a deciduous tree of the Salicaceae family, genus Populus. The 'nigra' in its scientific name Populus nigra var. italica means 'black'. Growing 30-40m tall, its upward-growing branches create a beautiful narrow columnar form. It blooms string-like flowers from March to May before leaf expansion, being dioecious. Heart-shaped leaves rustle beautifully in the wind, and the genus name Populus is said to mean 'trembling' from this sound. Famous for the poplar avenue at Hokkaido University, it has become a symbol of Hokkaido. It turns golden yellow in autumn and grows rapidly, though it's vulnerable to strong winds.
Trivia
- Hokkaido University's poplar avenue was planted in 1903 and is now a famous Hokkaido tourist attraction
- Flat petioles allow leaves to rustle and create beautiful sounds in the slightest breeze
- Extremely fast growth, sometimes extending 2-3 meters per year
- Dioecious species, with female trees producing masses of cotton-like seeds in spring
Uses
Ornamental
- Planting as street and park trees
- Use as windbreaks and hedges
- As landmark trees
Medicinal
- Bark used in folk medicine for fever reduction and pain relief
- Buds used for cough suppression and bronchitis treatment
Caution:
Medicinal use is not common currently.
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption.
Other
- Wood used for matchsticks and packaging materials
- Pulp material for paper production
- Nectar source for honey production
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic, but some people may have allergic reactions to pollen.