Primula obconica
German primrose
Poison primrose
Scientific Name:
Primula obconica
Family:
Primulaceae
Flower Language
-
mysterious heart
-
first love
-
youth
Description
Primula obconica is a perennial of the Primulaceae family native to China that blooms with large flowers in rich colors such as purple, pink, white, and lilac from December to April. The name Primula derives from the Latin 'prima' meaning 'first', named for blooming ahead of other flowers in early spring. It features large flowers with abundant colors, with flower stems extending in all directions from the center of the plant, creating a beautiful bouquet-like appearance.
Trivia
- The name Primula derives from the same Latin origin as 'calendar'
- Recent breeding has developed garden varieties with little to no primin content
- Relatively cold-hardy, beautiful flowers can be enjoyed indoors by windows
- Flowers open with sunrise and close at night
Uses
Ornamental
- potted plant
- garden planting
- cut flower
Medicinal
- Historically recorded as being used medicinally
Caution:
Contains primin, which may cause skin irritation when touched with bare hands
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- perfume ingredient (some varieties)
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
stem, leaves
Symptoms:
skin irritation, rash
Weeping cherry
Pendulous cherry
Drooping cherry
Scientific Name:
Cerasus itosakura 'Pendula'
Family:
Rosaceae
Flower Language
-
mature beauty
-
elegance
-
glamour
Description
Weeping cherry is a deciduous tall tree of the Rosaceae family, genus Cerasus, that blooms numerous flowers on drooping branches, also called Itozakura (thread cherry). It's a cultivated variety based on a drooping branch variant of Edohigan that begins blooming in late March, slightly earlier than Someiyoshino. The name 'thread cherry' comes from the appearance of successive side branches extending from drooping branches, resembling hanging thin threads. The flowers are about 3cm in diameter, smaller than Someiyoshino, but offer diverse colors from white to pale pink to deep pink.
Trivia
- The weeping cherry in Kyoto's Maruyama Park is famous as a renowned tree about 80 years old
- Weeping cherries have diverse varieties from single to double blooms
- Turns yellow in autumn, enjoyable throughout the four seasons
- The cherry trees in Washington D.C. originated from trees gifted by Japan in 1912
Uses
Ornamental
- garden tree
- park tree
- street tree
- bonsai
Medicinal
- bark used as sakurapi in traditional Chinese medicine
- said to have antitussive and antipyretic effects
Caution:
do not use medicinally without expert guidance
Culinary
- petals (processed for consumption)
- leaves (for wrapping sakuramochi)
Other
- wood used for furniture
- used as dye
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
seeds, bark (when consumed in large quantities)
Symptoms:
mild poisoning symptoms from cyanide compounds (when consuming large quantities of seeds)
Calendula
Pot marigold
English marigold
Scientific Name:
Calendula officinalis
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
compassion
-
maiden's appearance
-
disappointment
Characteristics
Colors:
orange
Description
Calendula is an annual herb of the Asteraceae family native to the Mediterranean coast of southern Europe, named for its flower shape resembling a golden cup. The scientific name Calendula derives from the Latin 'first day of each month', referring to its long blooming period appearing consistently at the beginning of every month. It produces orange or yellow flowers about 10cm in diameter that open with sunrise and close at night. Long used for food and medicine, it's called 'poor man's saffron' as the petals are sometimes used as a saffron substitute.
Trivia
- Name derives from the same Latin origin as 'calendar'
- Recorded as a medicinal plant since ancient Roman times
- Flowers serve as weather predictors, closing on rainy days
- Known as an herb favored by Queen Elizabeth I
Uses
Ornamental
- flower beds
- potted plants
- cut flowers
- dried flowers
Medicinal
- ointment for burns and wound treatment
- anti-inflammatory effects
- antibacterial properties
Caution:
avoid use during pregnancy
Other
- natural dye
- cosmetic ingredient
- soap ingredient
Toxicity
Symptoms:
generally considered safe, but avoid large quantities
Hall's crabapple
Chinese flowering crabapple
Flowering crabapple
Scientific Name:
Malus halliana
Family:
Rosaceae
Flower Language
-
gentleness
-
glamorous beauty
-
beauty's sleep
Description
Hanakaidou is a deciduous tall tree of the Rosaceae family, genus Malus, native to China that was introduced to Japan in the early Edo period. It blooms in parallel with cherry blossoms from late March to mid-April, with the distinctive characteristic of flowers blooming downward. The drooping red buds before flowering are also distinctive, producing pink, white, and red flowers. The flower language 'beauty's sleep' originated from Chinese tales comparing Yang Guifei to crabapple flowers. It's cherished as an ornamental tree that's hardy and easy to grow, recommended for beginners.
Trivia
- Frequently appears in Chinese literature as a flower praising Yang Guifei's beauty
- Downward-blooming flowers are considered evolutionary adaptation to protect pollen from rain
- Symbolizes ephemeral beauty as it blooms only for a short spring period
- Cultivation methods detailed in Edo period gardening books
Uses
Ornamental
- garden tree
- park tree
- bonsai
- cut flower
Medicinal
- Records of medicinal use of roots and bark in China
Caution:
medicinal use is not common today
Culinary
not suitable for consumption
Other
- wood used for small craft items
Toxicity
Symptoms:
no particular toxicity reported
Spring starflower
Starflower
Spring star
Scientific Name:
Ipheion uniflorum
Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Flower Language
-
sad farewell
-
enduring love
Description
Hanakaidou is a perennial of the Amaryllidaceae family native to Argentina, introduced to Japan in the Meiji period. Named for its leaves resembling garlic chives and similar scent when cut. In spring, it blooms with star-shaped flowers about 3cm in diameter in blue-purple, white, and pale pink, with a sweet honey-like fragrance. It has light-responsive properties, opening flowers toward the sun and closing them at night or on rainy days. An extremely hardy, low-maintenance plant where bulbs multiply and flower numbers increase yearly.
Trivia
- When only leaves are visible, difficult to distinguish from garlic chives, potentially causing accidental ingestion
- Bulbs naturally multiply and form colonies, creating beautiful flower fields with minimal care
- Flowers open only during fine daytime weather, closing at night or during rain
- Spread worldwide from European botanical gardens in the late 19th century
Uses
Ornamental
- flower beds
- ground cover
- rock gardens
- potted plants
Medicinal
Caution:
no confirmed medicinal use
Culinary
not suitable for consumption due to toxicity
Other
- cut flowers (small bouquets)
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
whole plant, bulbs
Symptoms:
digestive symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
Japanese primrose
Siebold's primrose
Cherry blossom primrose
Scientific Name:
Primula sieboldii
Family:
Primulaceae
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
Sakurasou is representative of Japan's primrose species, a perennial distributed in highlands and fields from southern Hokkaido to Honshu and Kyushu. From April to May, it extends a single flower stem from the center, blooming several flowers 2-5cm in diameter. Flower colors are mainly white and pink, and it's also a classical horticultural plant with about 300 varieties created during the Edo period. Designated as the prefectural flower of Saitama and Osaka, particularly the Tajima-ga-hara Sakurasou habitat in Saitama City is protected as a national special natural monument.
Trivia
- Variety breeding actively conducted among samurai class during Edo period
- About 300 classical varieties currently preserved
- Tajima-ga-hara in Saitama Prefecture famous as Japan's largest natural habitat
- Named 'sakurasou' (cherry grass) for flower shapes resembling cherry blossoms
Uses
Ornamental
- classical horticulture
- wild plant cultivation
- potted plants
- garden planting
Medicinal
- records of use as folk medicine
Caution:
medicinal use not recommended today
Culinary
not suitable for consumption
Other
- symbol of nature conservation
- material for horticultural education
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
whole plant
Symptoms:
possible mild digestive symptoms when consumed in large quantities