North Pole Chrysanthemum
Swamp Daisy
Mini Marguerite
Scientific Name:
Leucanthemum paludosum
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
sincerity
-
nobility
-
cleanliness
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
North Pole is an annual herb from North Africa in the Asteraceae family, formally called Chrysanthemum North Pole. It produces small white daisies about 3cm in diameter with yellow centers, flowering for a long period from December to May. Growing compactly to 15-30cm tall, the plant forms a ball shape and covers itself with flowers at peak bloom. Named 'North Pole' because the abundant white flowers resemble the white landscape of the Arctic. Cold-hardy and can overwinter without protection west of the Kanto region.
Trivia
- Scientific name Chrysanthemum means 'golden flower' in Latin
- Now reclassified to Leucanthemum genus
- Single plant can produce hundreds of flowers
- Can be enjoyed in short period of about 3 months from seeding to flowering
Uses
Ornamental
- Flower bed cultivation
- Potted plant appreciation
- Used as cut flowers
Medicinal
- No common medicinal uses known
Caution:
Use primarily for ornamental purposes
Culinary
Not used for culinary purposes
Other
- Used as ground cover
- Popular for container combinations
- Important for winter garden color
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
whole plant
Symptoms:
May cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort with large amounts
Scotch Broom
Common Broom
Genista
Scientific Name:
Cytisus scoparius
Family:
Fabaceae
Flower Language
-
purity
-
humility
-
cleanliness
Characteristics
Colors:
yellow
Description
Scotch Broom is a deciduous shrub from Europe in the legume family that produces bright yellow butterfly-like flowers covering broom-like branches around April. Being European in origin and cold-hardy, it can grow even in central Hokkaido. Growing 1-3m tall, branches are well-branched and arch-shaped. Adapted to arid conditions with small leaves, the green branches also perform photosynthesis. Historically used to make brooms by bundling branches, hence the English name 'Broom'.
Trivia
- Scientific name 'scoparius' means broom-like in Greek
- Brought to Nagasaki by Dutch ship around 1670 in Edo period
- Used in Plantagenet family coat of arms
- As legume, has root nodule bacteria that enriches soil
Uses
Ornamental
- Planted as garden tree
- Used in parks
- Used as cut flowers
Medicinal
- Traditionally used as diuretic
- Used for treating heart conditions
Caution:
Contains toxic alkaloids, medicinal use now dangerous
Culinary
Not edible due to toxicity
Other
- Historically used for broom material
- Used as dye
- Used for soil improvement
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
whole plant, especially seeds
Symptoms:
Alkaloid poisoning causing vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, cardiac arrhythmia
Alstroemeria
Peruvian Lily
Lily of the Incas
Scientific Name:
Alstroemeria spp.
Family:
Alstroemeriaceae
Flower Language
-
longing for the future
-
persistence
-
enduring friendship
Characteristics
Colors:
multicolor (pink, white, yellow, orange, red, etc.)
Description
Alstroemeria is a perennial from the Andes region of South America in the Alstroemeriaceae family. Six petals differ in shape between outer and inner ones, with spots called 'speckles' on the petals. Multiple flowers bloom on single stems, creating a very showy impression. Very long-lasting flowers make them popular as cut flowers. Leaves have the unique characteristic of rotating 180 degrees at the base, showing the underside upward. About 100 native species exist with many horticultural varieties developed.
Trivia
- Scientific name given by Linnaeus after his friend's name
- Has unusual botanical feature of leaves rotating 180 degrees
- Cut flowers last 1-2 weeks, extremely long-lasting
- One of the world's most popular cut flowers
Uses
Ornamental
- Used as cut flowers
- Bouquets and arrangements
- Garden plant appreciation
Medicinal
- Traditionally used as medicinal herb in South America
- Now mainly ornamental
Caution:
Professional consultation required for medicinal use
Culinary
Generally not used for culinary purposes
Other
- Popular for bridal decorations
- Important as gift cut flowers
- Used as breeding parent for horticultural varieties
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
whole plant, especially bulbs
Symptoms:
May cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort if ingested
Tulip
Garden Tulip
Scientific Name:
Tulipa gesneriana
Family:
Liliaceae
Characteristics
Colors:
yellow
Description
Tulip is a bulbous plant from Central Asia in the Liliaceae family, beloved worldwide as a representative spring flower. Yellow tulips give a bright and cheerful impression, but their flower language includes the poignant meaning of 'hopeless love'. This comes from Western flower language where yellow flowers symbolize separation or jealousy. However, it also has the positive meaning of 'honesty', with its vivid yellow expressing sun-like warmth and hope.
Trivia
- Caused tulip bubble economic phenomenon in 17th century Netherlands
- Named for resemblance to turban when introduced from Turkey to Western Europe
- About 3 billion bulbs produced annually worldwide
- Netherlands' Keukenhof is world's largest tulip park
Uses
Ornamental
- Flower bed cultivation
- Used as cut flowers
- Planted in parks and gardens
Medicinal
- No common medicinal uses known
Caution:
Careful handling as bulbs are toxic
Culinary
Not edible due to toxicity
Other
- Important as tourist resource
- Commercial bulb cultivation
- Breeding material for horticultural varieties
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
bulb, flowers, leaves
Symptoms:
May cause vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis if ingested