Sweet William
Beard Carnation
American Carnation
Scientific Name:
Dianthus barbatus
Family:
Caryophyllaceae
Flower Language
-
pure love
-
pure affection
-
thoughtful feelings
-
skillfulness
Description
Native to widespread areas of Europe, it is also called Beard Carnation because its sepals develop like whiskers. The name Beauty Dianthus likely comes from its beauty unlike traditional carnations. It has a faintly sweet fragrance, earning it the English name Sweet William. Flower colors include white, pink, red, orange, purple, and multicolored varieties, blooming from May to June.
Trivia
- Named after Prince William (later William I) in the 16th century.
- Featured in Shakespeare's works as a symbol of love.
- Considered sacred in Christianity due to its cross-shaped flowers.
- Unlike its relative carnations, it's often treated as a biennial.
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden beds
- Cut flowers
- Mixed plantings
Medicinal
- Used in folk medicine for eye inflammation.
Caution:
Medicinal use should be under expert guidance.
Other
- Perfume ingredient
- Potpourri
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic.
Daphne
Winter Daphne
Fragrant Daphne
Scientific Name:
Daphne odora
Family:
Thymelaeaceae
Flower Language
-
sweet memories
-
glory
-
eternity
-
eternal youth and longevity
Description
Releases a pleasant fragrance from March to April in early spring, and this fragrance travels far, earning it the name 'thousand-mile fragrance.' In China, it's called 'auspicious fragrance' and considered a lucky fragrant flower. The name 'Jinchoge' comes from its fragrance resembling agarwood and cloves. The flowers are thick, small blooms with reddish-purple exteriors and pure white interiors, clustering in groups of 10-20 in a hemispherical shape.
Trivia
- Known as one of the 'Three Major Fragrant Trees' along with gardenia and osmanthus.
- Contains over 100 fragrance components and is said to carry the farthest.
- Dioecious plant; female plants are rare in Japan, so fruits are seldom seen.
- The flower language 'glory' derives from the laurel tree of the same Daphne genus being a symbol of victory.
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden trees
- Ikebana
- Bonsai
Medicinal
- Used in traditional Chinese medicine for toothache and sore throat (flowers only)
Caution:
The entire plant is toxic; amateur use is strictly prohibited.
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption.
Other
- Fragrance
- Insect repellent
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
Bark, Sap, Roots, Fruits, Leaves
Symptoms:
Ingestion causes diarrhea, vomiting, and cardiac disorders. Contact with sap causes dermatitis and blisters.
Lewisia
Bitterroot
Cliff Maids
Scientific Name:
Lewisia cotyledon
Family:
Portulacaceae
Flower Language
-
passionate feelings
-
subtle feelings
-
cheerful romantic
Description
Native to the northwestern Rocky Mountains of North America, growing in rocky areas from the Rocky Mountains to California mountains. Also known as 'Rock Fireworks.' Flower colors include white, yellow, red, orange, and pink, with striped petal varieties being particularly showy. Leaves are somewhat thick and grow in rosettes, with flower stems emerging from leaf bases in autumn, bearing many flowers at the tips. Very cold-hardy (to -20°C) but heat-sensitive, making it intermediate-level for Japanese gardeners.
Trivia
- The genus name Lewisia honors 18th-century American explorer Meriwether Lewis of Lewis and Clark expedition.
- Montana's state flower, also known as Bitterroot for its bitter-tasting root.
- Has the unusual characteristic of preferring complete drought during summer for survival.
- Unusual blooming period from November to May, flowering in winter through spring.
Uses
Ornamental
- Rock gardens
- Container planting
- Alpine plant collections
Medicinal
- Used by Native Americans for food and medicine.
Caution:
Now used only ornamentally; medicinal use not recommended.
Culinary
Not currently used for food.
Other
- Alpine garden displays
- Botanical research
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic but not used for consumption.
Chinese Redbud
Redbud Tree
Scientific Name:
Cercis chinensis
Family:
Fabaceae
Flower Language
-
nobility
-
awakening
-
joy
-
rich life
Description
Small flowers bloom in April before leaves appear. The sight of branches completely covered with flowers is very eye-catching. Around the end of flowering, cute heart-shaped leaves emerge. Strong against both heat and cold, easy to maintain, commonly planted in gardens and parks. Very hardy nature, grows in poor soil and dry conditions, not particular about soil quality. Also strong against pests and diseases. Named 'Flower Sappanwood' because the flower color resembles dye from sappanwood trees.
Trivia
- Characteristic heart-shaped leaves make it beloved as a symbol of love.
- Being in the Fabaceae family, it hosts nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules, enriching soil.
- Different from American Redbud (Cercis canadensis) in flower shape and blooming pattern.
- Mature trees show 'cauliflory' - flowers blooming directly from the trunk.
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden trees
- Park trees
- Street trees
Medicinal
- Bark used medicinally in China.
Caution:
Medicinal use should be under expert guidance.
Other
- Timber use
- Dye (from flowers)
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic.
Spearmint
Garden Mint
Common Mint
Scientific Name:
Mentha spicata
Family:
Lamiaceae
Description
Has a refreshing quality with subtle sweetness, and its mild fragrance makes it suitable for fresh consumption, appealing to everyone. Plant height is about 30-60 cm, shorter than peppermint. Leaves are lance-shaped (hence 'spear') oblong, about 5 cm long, with serrated edges. In summer, it produces white to pale pink spike-like flowers. Having been cultivated worldwide since ancient times, its exact origin is difficult to pinpoint.
Trivia
- The scientific name 'spicata' means 'spear-shaped,' referring to its leaf shape.
- Milder fragrance than peppermint, making it more suitable for cooking.
- Essential herb for cocktails like mint julep and mojito.
- Very strong reproductive ability, spreads via underground stems, requiring careful cultivation.
Uses
Ornamental
- Herb gardens
- Container cultivation
- Ground cover
Medicinal
- Cognitive function improvement
- Memory enhancement
- Digestive function improvement
- Relaxation effects
Caution:
Avoid excessive consumption; pregnant women should use with caution.
Other
- Fragrance
- Potpourri
- Antiseptic effects
- Gargling solution
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic.