Pansy Orchid
Miltonia
Pansy-faced Orchid
Scientific Name:
Miltonia spectabilis
Family:
Orchidaceae
Flower Language
-
arrival of love
-
domestic love
-
lady's feelings
Description
An epiphytic orchid of the Miltonia genus in the Orchidaceae family, native to South America. It's called 'Pansy Orchid' because its flowers resemble large pansies. Named after Milton, a 19th-century British orchid cultivator. It's one of the fragrant orchids with an exotic scent similar to roses.
Trivia
- Named after Milton, a 19th-century British orchid cultivator
- Also called Pansy Orchid, though sometimes actually refers to different genus
- Fragrance is exotic and similar to roses
- Beloved as nature's jewel in Brazil
Uses
Ornamental
- Potted plant cultivation
- Greenhouse cultivation
- Cut flowers
Medicinal
- No recorded medicinal uses
Caution:
No medicinal information available
Culinary
No confirmed use as food plant
Other
- Perfume ingredients
- Luxury decoration
- Collection
Toxicity
Toxic Parts:
No toxicity reported
Symptoms:
No toxicity information available
Thunberg's Meadowsweet
Snow Willow
Bridal Wreath
Scientific Name:
Spiraea thunbergii
Family:
Rosaceae
Flower Language
-
praiseworthy
-
loveliness
-
charm
Description
A deciduous shrub of the Spiraea genus in the Rosaceae family, native to Japan, blooming from March to April. The sight of small petals dancing in the spring breeze and scattered white on the ground is atmospheric and beautiful, making it a spring flower long beloved in Japan. The flower language comes from the lovely sight of many small flowers blooming earnestly together.
Trivia
- Scientific name Spiraea derives from Greek 'speira' meaning spiral or coil
- So rare in natural habitats that it's designated as critically endangered in Ishikawa Prefecture
- Cut flowers last about one week
- So hardy it can grow from rock crevices in natural habitats
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden shrub
- Cut flowers
- Flower arrangement
Medicinal
- No recorded medicinal uses
Caution:
No medicinal information available
Culinary
No confirmed use as food plant
Other
- Park landscaping
- Symbolic tree
- Nectar source
Toxicity
Toxic Parts:
No toxicity reported
Symptoms:
No toxicity information available
Gilia
Blue Thimble Flower
Phlox Family
Scientific Name:
Gilia capitata
Family:
Polemoniaceae
Flower Language
-
whimsical love
-
come here
-
fascinated by you
Description
An autumn-sown annual of the Gilia genus in the Polemoniaceae family, native to western North America, blooming from April to June. Growing 50-90cm tall, flower shape and appearance vary greatly by variety. Though appearing delicate, it's actually quite hardy and can self-seed when conditions are suitable.
Trivia
- Whimsical flower language comes from having many varieties with greatly different flower shapes and atmospheres
- Main cultivated varieties are Capitata, Leptantha, and Tricolor
- Typical autumn-sown annual that blooms in spring
- Polemoniaceae family has about 25 genera and 400 species worldwide
Uses
Ornamental
- Spring flower beds
- Cut flowers
- Wild gardens
Medicinal
- No recorded medicinal uses
Caution:
No medicinal information available
Culinary
No confirmed use as food plant
Other
- Nectar source
- Insect attraction
- Natural gardens
Toxicity
Toxic Parts:
No toxicity reported
Symptoms:
No toxicity information available
Wabisuke Camellia
Tea Ceremony Camellia
Modest Camellia
Scientific Name:
Camellia wabisuke
Family:
Theaceae
Flower Language
-
simplicity
-
modesty
-
quiet elegance
-
I will comfort you
Characteristics
Colors:
pink
Description
An evergreen shrub of the Camellia genus in the Theaceae family, blooming from December to April. It features small, single flowers that only open halfway in a tubular shape. The stamens are degenerate with no pollen, and it doesn't produce fruit. Famous as a flower favored by tea master Sen no Rikyu, it's a representative tea flower used in tea ceremony rooms.
Trivia
- Remains in tea ceremony history as flower favored by Sen no Rikyu
- Cannot produce fruit due to degenerate stamens without pollen
- Has unique tubular blooming style
- One of the most prestigious tea ceremony flowers
Uses
Ornamental
- Tea ceremony flowers
- Gardens
- Bonsai
Medicinal
- No recorded medicinal uses
Caution:
No medicinal information available
Culinary
No confirmed use as food plant
Other
- Tea ceremony decoration
- Cultural events
- Arts and crafts
Toxicity
Toxic Parts:
No toxicity reported
Symptoms:
No toxicity information available
Crocus
Spring Crocus
Saffron Crocus
Scientific Name:
Crocus vernus
Family:
Iridaceae
Flower Language
-
joy of youth
-
yearning
-
I am waiting for you
-
don't betray me
-
regret of love
-
confession of love
Description
A bulbous plant with about 80 species distributed from the Mediterranean coast to Asia Minor. It's a cold-hardy autumn-planted bulb that produces beautiful flowers in spring from corms about 4cm in diameter. Some flower languages derive from Greek mythology, born from the tragic love story of the beautiful youth Crocus and the beautiful shepherdess Smilax.
Trivia
- Bulbs are actually corms, compressed and enlarged stems
- Name derives from beautiful youth in Greek mythology
- Saffron crocus produces world's most expensive spice
- Spring crocus and autumn crocus (Colchicum) are completely different plants
Uses
Ornamental
- Spring bulb plants
- Lawn naturalization
- Rock gardens
Medicinal
- Some species used medicinally as saffron
Caution:
Caution needed not to confuse with autumn crocus (Colchicum)
Culinary
- Saffron crocus pistils (spice)
Other
- Perfume ingredients
- Dye
- Nectar source
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Corms (mild)
Symptoms:
May cause diarrhea, vomiting and gastrointestinal upset in pets (mild toxicity)
Madonna Lily
White Lily
Annunciation Lily
Scientific Name:
Lilium candidum
Family:
Liliaceae
Flower Language
-
purity
-
innocence
-
chastity
-
undefiled heart
-
heavenly beauty
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
A perennial of the Lilium genus in the Liliaceae family, native to the Mediterranean coast and Balkans. It produces large, translucent pure white flowers about 10cm in diameter facing horizontally, with beautiful contrast between pure white petals and yellow pollen. In Europe, it has long been a symbol of the Virgin Mary and used as church flowers. It has a sweet fragrance and is used in perfume production.
Trivia
- Officially designated as national flower of Vatican City
- Also called Garden White Lily
- Most famous flower depicted in Annunciation paintings
- Used as representative 'lily' fragrance in perfume industry
Uses
Ornamental
- Church flowers
- Wedding decorations
- Gardens
Medicinal
- Historically used in folk medicine for skin treatments
Caution:
Medicinal use not currently recommended
Culinary
No confirmed use as food plant
Other
- Perfume ingredients
- Religious ceremonies
- Artistic motifs
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs (mild)
Symptoms:
Particularly toxic to cats, may cause kidney damage if ingested