Sweet Alyssum
Alyssum
Sweet Alice
Scientific Name:
Lobularia maritima
Family:
Brassicaceae
Flower Language
-
Reconciliation
-
Elegance
-
Worth Beyond Beauty
-
Great Leap
Description
A perennial native to Mediterranean coast, but treated as annual in Japan due to humidity sensitivity. 10-15cm tall, popular for spring garden borders and mixed plantings. Produces dense clusters of small 4-petaled flowers in white, pink, or purple with sweet honey-like fragrance. Previously classified in Alyssum genus, now in Lobularia genus.
Trivia
- Scientific name 'maritima' means 'of the seashore'
- Often sold as 'Sweet Alyssum' in garden centers
- Self-seeds readily
- Honey-like fragrance becomes stronger in evening
Uses
Ornamental
- Used for garden borders
- Material for mixed plantings
- Planted as ground cover
Medicinal
- Historically used as herb to calm madness and anger
- Medicinal use not common today
Caution:
Medicinal effects not confirmed today
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Nectar source plant attracting bees
- Used as companion plant
Oxalis
Wood Sorrel
Shamrock
Scientific Name:
Oxalis spp.
Family:
Oxalidaceae
Flower Language
-
I Will Never Abandon You
-
Radiant Heart
Description
A bulbous plant native to southern Africa and Central/South America with about 800 species worldwide. 5-petaled flowers come in various colors including white, pink, orange, and yellow. Flowers are sensitive to temperature and light, opening on sunny days and closing on cloudy days or at night. Contains oxalic acid giving sour taste, but large consumption should be avoided. Has strong reproductive ability and designated as comprehensive countermeasure alien species.
Trivia
- Scientific name 'Oxalis' means 'acidic' in Greek
- Flowers sensitive to light and temperature, can serve as weather predictor
- Known as three-leaf clover but actually belongs to wood sorrel family
- Strong reproductive ability, designated as comprehensive countermeasure alien species
Uses
Ornamental
- Ornamental potted plant
- Ground cover in gardens
- Material for mixed plantings
Medicinal
- Sometimes used in folk medicine for wound treatment
- Contains vitamin C
Caution:
Avoid large consumption due to oxalic acid content, caution for those with kidney disease
Other
- Historically used for polishing metal
- Sometimes used as dye
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Whole plant (contains oxalic acid)
Symptoms:
Large consumption may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and kidney stress
Ranunculus
Persian Buttercup
Buttercup
Scientific Name:
Ranunculus asiaticus
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Flower Language
-
You Are Full of Charm
-
Very Attractive
-
Radiant Charm
-
Radiating Brilliance
Characteristics
Colors:
Red
Description
A bulbous plant native to West Asia and southeastern Europe. Petals have silk-like texture and beautiful overlapping blooms. Rich variety of flower colors including white, yellow, orange, pink, red, and purple. Popular as spring cut flowers and commonly used in wedding bouquets. Contains toxic compound protoanemonin in all parts, requiring careful handling.
Trivia
- Scientific name 'asiaticus' means 'of Asia'
- Popular as exam season gift due to flower language meaning 'success'
- Over 500 varieties exist depending on classification
- Called 'silk flower' due to silk-like petal texture
Uses
Ornamental
- Used as cut flowers
- Wedding bouquet material
- Planted in spring gardens
Medicinal
- Medicinal use not recommended today
- Historically used for skin disease treatment
Caution:
Dangerous to ingest due to toxic compounds in all parts, caution needed for skin contact
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Premium material for flower arrangements
- Can be used as dried flowers
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Whole plant (especially during flowering)
Symptoms:
Dermatitis, rash, blisters, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea from ingestion, convulsions in severe cases
Stock
Gillyflower
Ten Week Stock
Scientific Name:
Matthiola incana
Family:
Brassicaceae
Flower Language
-
Power to Overcome Adversity
-
Eternal Beauty
-
Bonds of Love
-
Trust Me
Characteristics
Colors:
Red
Description
Originally perennial from Southern Europe, treated as annual in Japan due to summer heat sensitivity. 20-80cm tall, blooming 4-petaled flowers in spikes from March-May. Rich variety of colors including pink, white, purple, yellow, and red with characteristic sweet spicy fragrance. Good lasting quality as cut flowers, popular for arrangements.
Trivia
- English name 'Stock' means stem, referring to thick sturdy stems
- Japanese name 'Arasetou' written as '紫羅欄花'
- Both single and double flowers exist, doubles more popular for cut flowers
- Flowers bloom progressively from bottom to top
Uses
Ornamental
- Used as cut flowers
- Garden bed planting
- Material for mixed plantings
Medicinal
- Historically used as medicinal herb
- Medicinal use not common today
Caution:
Medicinal effects not confirmed today
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Used as perfume ingredient
- Can be enjoyed as dried flowers
Buttercup
Japanese Buttercup
Ranunculus
Scientific Name:
Ranunculus japonicus
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Flower Language
-
Glory
-
Honor
-
Childlike Innocence
-
Slander
Description
A perennial distributed in Japan, Korean Peninsula, China, and Taiwan. 30-60cm tall with yellow 5-petaled flowers about 3cm diameter. Petals have characteristic gloss, shining golden in sunlight. Double flowers called 'Kinpouge', single flowers called 'Uma-no-ashigata'. Contains toxic compound ranunculin in all parts.
Trivia
- Chinese characters '金鳳花' named after Chinese phoenix
- Scientific name 'japonicus' means 'of Japan'
- Petal gloss due to cell structure, unique feature not seen in other flowers
- Records exist of cattle poisoning from consumption
Uses
Ornamental
- Pot cultivation as wild plant
- Planting in natural gardens
- Viewing in wild plant gardens
Medicinal
- Used as 'Maogen' medicine in China but dangerous for amateur use
- Medicinal use not recommended in Japan today
Caution:
Never ingest as toxic plant, avoid skin contact
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption (toxic)
Other
- Important as ecosystem indicator plant
- Nectar source for insects
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Whole plant (ranunculin, protoanemonin)
Symptoms:
Skin inflammation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting from ingestion, respiratory difficulty in severe cases
Cornflower
Bachelor's Button
Bluebottle
Scientific Name:
Centaurea cyanus
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
Elegance
-
Delicacy
-
Single Life
-
Education
Description
An annual native to Europe, originally a weed in wheat fields. Blue flowers particularly beautiful, serving as national flower of Germany and Estonia. Japanese name comes from resemblance to carp streamer pinwheel. Used as cut flowers, dried flowers, and edible flowers. Historic flower found even in Tutankhamun's tomb in ancient Egypt.
Trivia
- Scientific name 'Centaurea' derives from Greek mythology centaur
- 'Cyanus' means 'blue' in Greek
- Depicted in Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus'
- History of Prussian queen picking with sons during Napoleon era
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden bed planting
- Used as cut flowers
- Viewed as dried flowers
Medicinal
- Historically used for medicine, food, and dye
- Mainly ornamental use today
Caution:
Medicinal effects not confirmed today
Other
- Used as natural dye
- Nectar source for insects
- Material for wildflower gardens