Nikko Day Lily
Broad Dwarf Day Lily
Zenteika
Scientific Name:
Hemerocallis middendorffii var. esculenta
Family:
Asphodelaceae
Flower Language
-
diligence
-
renewing each day
-
joy of sunny days
Description
A perennial native to Japan, China, Korean Peninsula, and Eastern Siberia. Grows wild in alpine areas above 1000 meters elevation in central Honshu and northward. Official name is 'Zenteika' (Zen garden flower), but called 'Nikko Kisuge' for abundance in Nikko region. Day lily that opens in morning and closes in evening.
Trivia
- About 1 million plants bloom simultaneously every July at Kirigamine Plateau
- Called 'day lily' because flowers always close within one day
- Best viewing at Oze is late June to early July
- Species epithet 'esculenta' means 'edible'
Uses
Ornamental
- Alpine botanical gardens
- Rock gardens
- Wetland gardens
Medicinal
- Roots used in Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Diuretic and fever-reducing effects
Caution:
Wild collection may be legally restricted; medicinal use requires expert knowledge
Other
- Ecotourism (colony site tourism)
- Environmental education (alpine plant conservation)
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally non-toxic; young shoots are edible
Iceland Poppy
Arctic Poppy
Papaver nudicaule
Scientific Name:
Papaver nudicaule
Family:
Papaveraceae
Flower Language
-
consolation
-
patience
-
noble spirit
Description
A perennial native to polar regions like Siberia and Alaska, but treated as annual in cultivation. Thin petals are beautiful like paper craft, with distinctive charm from unbalanced combination with slender, winding stems. Cold-hardy and vividly colors spring flower beds.
Trivia
- Not actually from Iceland; name refers to polar regions in general
- Flower diameter 5-8cm with very thin petals
- Popular as cut flowers but requires careful handling due to weak stems
- Takes about 4-5 months from seeding to blooming
Uses
Ornamental
- Spring flower beds (colorful display)
- Cut flowers
- Container gardens
Medicinal
Caution:
As Papaveraceae family member, may contain alkaloids; avoid medicinal use
Culinary
Not edible. Toxic as member of poppy family
Other
- Dried flowers (difficult due to thin petals)
- Horticultural education (for ease of growing)
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Entire plant, Especially milky sap
Symptoms:
Contains alkaloids as poppy family member; ingestion may cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and drowsiness
Periwinkle
Vinca
Myrtle
Scientific Name:
Vinca major
Family:
Apocynaceae
Flower Language
-
pleasant memories
-
childhood friend
-
lifelong friendship
Description
An evergreen vine native to Europe. Blooms with beautiful blue-purple 5-petaled flowers from spring to early summer. Hardy with strong propagation ability, excellent as ground cover. Grows well in shade and popular as low-maintenance plant.
Trivia
- English name 'periwinkle' derives from Old French for 'sea snail'
- Once established, spreads semi-permanently
- Flowers bloom intermittently from spring to autumn
- Variegated varieties have particularly high ornamental value
Uses
Ornamental
- Ground cover (grows in shade)
- Slope stabilization
- Hanging baskets
Medicinal
- Blood pressure reduction in European traditional medicine
- Astringent properties
Caution:
Toxic as Apocynaceae family member; medicinal use requires expert knowledge
Culinary
Not edible. Entire plant is toxic
Other
- Environmental greening (slope protection)
- Biodiversity (nectar source for insects)
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Entire plant, Especially leaves and stems
Symptoms:
Contains alkaloids as Apocynaceae family member; ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological symptoms
Amaryllis
Belladonna Lily
Naked Lady
Scientific Name:
Hippeastrum hybridum
Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Flower Language
-
pride
-
radiant beauty
-
chattering
Description
A bulbous plant native to South America. Produces large, gorgeous flowers in abundant colors. Often grown indoors in pots, providing beautiful flowers from winter to spring. Large bulbs can bloom annually with proper care.
Trivia
- Single bulb produces 2-4 flower stems with 2-6 flowers each
- Large-flowered varieties with 15-25cm diameter are popular
- Number of flowers determined by bulb size
- Leaves emerge after flowering to fatten bulb
Uses
Ornamental
- Indoor potted plants (winter flowers)
- Cut flowers (luxury floral material)
- Garden arrangements
Medicinal
Caution:
Bulbs are toxic as Amaryllidaceae family member
Culinary
Not edible. Bulbs are toxic
Other
- Horticultural industry (bulb sales)
- Interior design
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs, Entire plant
Symptoms:
Contains alkaloids in bulbs as Amaryllidaceae family member; ingestion may cause vomiting and diarrhea
Goldthread
Chinese Goldthread
Scientific Name:
Coptis japonica
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Flower Language
-
transformation
-
enduring hardship
Description
A perennial endemic to Japan, growing wild under coniferous forests in mountainous areas. Blooms with small white flowers in early spring, with bright yellow rhizomes important in Chinese medicine. Characterized by extremely bitter taste, origin of saying 'bitter as goldthread'.
Trivia
- Japanese saying 'bitter as goldthread' commonly used
- Berberine in rhizomes causes yellow color
- Takes 5-7 years to cultivate, very labor-intensive
- Currently mainly artificially cultivated; wild populations declining
Uses
Ornamental
- Wild plant gardens (natural planting)
- Shade gardens
- Tea ceremony flowers (precious early spring material)
Medicinal
- Chinese medicine 'oren' for anti-inflammatory and fever reduction
- Used for stomach medicine and eye drops
- Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects
Caution:
Extremely bitter; large quantities may cause gastrointestinal disorders. Expert knowledge required
Culinary
Not edible. Medicinal use only
Other
- Natural dye (yellow color)
- Research purposes (as berberine-containing plant)
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Rhizomes (when consumed in large quantities)
Symptoms:
Large quantities may cause gastrointestinal disorders, vomiting, and diarrhea. Medicinal in appropriate doses