Azalea
Belgian Azalea
Indoor Azalea
Florist Azalea
Scientific Name:
Rhododendron simsii
Family:
Ericaceae
Flower Language
-
Joy of being loved
-
Temperance
-
Happy to be loved by you
-
Temperate love
Description
Azalea is a horticultural group improved for greenhouse cultivation from early 19th century in Belgium, based on several Asian azalea species. It features gorgeous flower forms like double and frilled blooms, and is less cold-hardy compared to Japanese azaleas. Natural flowering is in May, but forced cultivation allows winter enjoyment. Complex hybrids mainly from Taiwan azaleas, Kerama azaleas, and Satsuki.
Trivia
- Became popular among Belgian nobility in 19th century, called 'Western Azalea'
- Has interesting history of being re-imported to Japan
- Winter blooming made possible through forcing cultivation techniques
- More gorgeous flower forms than Japanese azaleas, with characteristic 'frilled blooms'
Uses
Ornamental
- Potted plants (indoor viewing)
- Cut flowers
- Greenhouse decoration
Medicinal
- Used for cough relief in ancient China
- Medical use not recommended currently
Caution:
Ericaceae plants contain toxic compounds, do not use for medicinal or culinary purposes.
Culinary
Toxic, not suitable for consumption
Other
- Flower arrangement material
- Use in horticultural therapy
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
All parts, Especially leaves and flowers
Symptoms:
Grayanotoxin poisoning symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, cardiac arrhythmia
Sea Thrift
Armeria
Common Thrift
Sea Pink
Scientific Name:
Armeria maritima
Family:
Plumbaginaceae
Flower Language
-
Deep empathy
-
Thoughtfulness
-
Compassion
Description
Armeria is a perennial of the Plumbaginaceae family native to Europe, with the Japanese name Hamakanazashi. It grows wild on dry coastal lands and produces hair ornament-like spherical flowers with small flowers densely clustered at the tips of long stems. Purple-pink is common, but red and white varieties also exist. It blooms from spring to early summer, with flowers having a dry, papery texture like dried flowers. It's a hardy plant that tolerates heat and cold well and thrives in poor soil.
Trivia
- Scientific name 'Armeria' means 'near the sea' in Celtic
- Was featured on British old five pence coins
- Flowers have dry, papery texture and last long
- Has strong salt tolerance and doesn't wither even when soaked in seawater
Uses
Ornamental
- Rock gardens
- Garden border edging
- Dried flowers
Medicinal
- Used as hemostatic agent in European folk medicine
- Used for treating skin inflammation
Caution:
Medical use is not recommended in modern times.
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Coastal soil protection plant
- Nectar source for butterflies and bees
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No particular toxicity reported
Freesia
Purple Freesia
Scientific Name:
Freesia refracta
Family:
Iridaceae
Characteristics
Colors:
Purple
Description
Freesia is a bulbous plant of the Iridaceae family native to the Cape region of South Africa. Purple freesia has the flower language of 'admiration,' derived from purple historically being a color worn by high-ranking people. It emits a sweet-tart fruity fragrance, though not as strong as yellow varieties. It blooms from March to April with a relatively small height of 20-50cm and is popular as cut flowers.
Trivia
- Named by Danish discoverer Ecklon after his German physician friend Freese
- Originally only yellow and white, but breeding created diverse colors
- Purple freesia is birth flower of February 13th
- Over 10 native species grow wild in South Africa
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flowers
- Garden bed planting
- Bulb cultivation
Medicinal
- Used for skin diseases in South African folk medicine
- Not currently used medicinally
Caution:
Medical use is not recommended in modern times.
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Used as perfume ingredient
- Popular as dried flowers
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs
Symptoms:
Bulb consumption may cause mild digestive upset