Fritillary
Chinese Fritillary
Bimo
Scientific Name:
Fritillaria verticillata var. thunbergii
Family:
Liliaceae
Flower Language
-
unadorned heart
-
modesty
-
avoiding attention
Description
A bulbous plant native to China, introduced to Japan as medicinal plant during Edo period. Drooping pale green bell-shaped flowers give modest and elegant impression. Long cherished as tea ceremony flowers and in Japanese garden plantings. Bulbs important as Chinese medicine 'baimo'.
Trivia
- Chinese name 'baimo' from bulb shape resembling bivalve shell
- Short blooming period in April-May
- Traded as expensive medicinal herb in Edo period
- Still sold as 'baimo' in Chinese medicine shops
Uses
Ornamental
- Tea ceremony flowers (precious spring material)
- Japanese gardens (natural style planting)
- Wild plant gardens
Medicinal
- Chinese medicine 'baimo' for cough suppression and expectorant
- Treatment for bronchitis and pneumonia
- Fever reduction and anti-inflammatory effects
Caution:
Medicinal use requires expert knowledge. Proper dosage essential
Culinary
Not edible. Medicinal use only
Other
- Horticultural research (as bulbous plant)
- Cultural research (tea ceremony culture connection)
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs, Entire plant
Symptoms:
Bulbs contain alkaloids; large quantities may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing difficulties
Hall's Crabapple
Japanese Flowering Crabapple
Malus halliana
Scientific Name:
Malus halliana
Family:
Rosaceae
Flower Language
-
beauty's sleep
-
glamorous beauty
-
gentleness
Description
A deciduous small tree native to China, long introduced to Japan. From April to May, pink flowers bloom so abundantly they cover the branches, creating exceptional beauty. Representative of spring pink flowering trees alongside plum, cherry, and peach, long beloved as garden tree.
Trivia
- Counted as one of China's four famous flowers as 'haitang'
- Characteristic downward-facing flowers
- Fruits are small apple-like, 1-2cm diameter
- Some trees over 100 years old exist
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden trees (spring centerpiece)
- Park trees
- Flower arrangements (spring material)
Medicinal
- Bark used in Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects
Caution:
Medicinal use requires expert knowledge
Culinary
- Fruits (small apple-like)
Other
- Nectar source plant (bee forage)
- Timber (small craft items)
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Seeds, Bark (when consumed in large quantities)
Symptoms:
Seeds contain cyanogenic compounds; large quantities may cause poisoning. Fruit flesh is safe
Musk Rose
Rosa moschata
Scientific Name:
Rosa moschata
Family:
Rosaceae
Flower Language
-
fickle love
-
charming
-
sensual beauty
Description
A wild rose native to Mediterranean coast, one of important ancestors of modern roses. Blooms with white 5-petaled flowers in clusters, emitting particularly strong musk fragrance at night. Long valued as perfume ingredient and plays important role as breeding parent for many garden varieties.
Trivia
- Historic rose appearing in Shakespeare's works
- Many modern roses inherit genes from this species
- Characteristic of strongest fragrance at night
- Beloved worldwide as representative 'old rose'
Uses
Ornamental
- Fragrance gardens
- Old rose gardens
- Wall greening (utilizing climbing nature)
Medicinal
- Aromatherapy (relaxation effects)
- Sedative properties in traditional medicine
Caution:
Essential oil should be diluted due to high concentration
Culinary
- Petals
- Rose hips (fruits)
Other
- Perfume industry (musk rose oil)
- Cosmetics industry
- Breeding (parent of modern roses)
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally non-toxic; petals and fruits are edible
Ranunculus
Persian Buttercup
Turban Buttercup
Scientific Name:
Ranunculus asiaticus
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Flower Language
-
very charming
-
radiant charm
-
radiating brilliance
Description
A bulbous plant native to eastern Mediterranean to western Asia. Blooms with luxurious flowers of many layered tissue-paper-like petals, also called 'king of flowers'. Available in abundant colors, beloved worldwide as cut flowers. Also popular in spring flower beds and potted plants.
Trivia
- 5th most popular cut flower worldwide by production volume
- Some varieties have over 100 petals per flower
- Bulbs have distinctive 'claw-like' shape
- Good water uptake, lasting 7-10 days as cut flowers
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flowers (wedding bouquets)
- Spring flower beds
- Potted plants
Medicinal
Caution:
Toxic as Ranunculaceae family member; avoid medicinal use
Culinary
Not edible. Entire plant is toxic
Other
- Horticultural industry (bulb sales)
- Flower arrangement education
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Entire plant, Especially bulbs
Symptoms:
Contains toxic alkaloids as Ranunculaceae family member; ingestion may cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and dermatitis
Taiwan Cherry
Formosan Cherry
Bell-flowered Cherry
Scientific Name:
Prunus campanulata
Family:
Rosaceae
Flower Language
-
smiling at you
-
good deeds
-
spiritual beauty
Description
A deciduous tree native to Taiwan and southern China. One of earliest-blooming cherries with deep pink bell-shaped flowers in cold season (January to March). Called 'Hikan-zakura' in Okinawa, where Japan's cherry blossom front actually begins with this flower. Also cultivated in warm regions of Honshu.
Trivia
- Earliest blooming cherry in Japan, monitored by Japan Meteorological Agency
- Flowers bloom downward, wither and fall without scattering
- Reaches full bloom in late January to February in Okinawa
- Blooms about 2 months earlier than mainland Someiyoshino
Uses
Ornamental
- Park trees (Okinawan cherry festivals)
- Street trees (warm regions)
- Garden trees
Medicinal
Caution:
No recorded medicinal uses
Culinary
- Flowers (salt-pickled)
- Leaves (not for sakura-mochi)
Other
- Tourism industry (cherry festivals)
- Meteorological observation (bloom forecasting)
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Seeds, Bark
Symptoms:
Seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides; large quantities may cause poisoning. Flowers and leaves relatively safe
Yucca
Adam's Needle
Spanish Bayonet
Scientific Name:
Yucca filamentosa
Family:
Asparagaceae
Description
A succulent plant native to North America. Spreads sword-like hard leaves in rosette form, extending 2-3 meter tall flower stems in summer with numerous white bell-shaped flowers. Very hardy and drought-resistant, popular in modern gardens and dry gardens.
Trivia
- Flower stems can grow over 1 meter in one night
- Famous for symbiotic relationship with yucca moths
- Doesn't bloom for 3-5 years after once flowering
- Fibers from leaves are extremely strong
Uses
Ornamental
- Dry gardens
- Modern gardens
- Rock gardens
Medicinal
- Roots used in Native American traditional medicine
- Soap substitute (contains saponins)
Caution:
Medicinal use requires expert knowledge
Culinary
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Roots (some species)
Other
- Fiber industry (fiber extraction from leaves)
- Environmental greening (arid areas)
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Leaves, Roots (contain saponins)
Symptoms:
Contains saponins; large quantities may cause gastrointestinal disorders. External use may cause dermatitis