Daisy
English Daisy Common Daisy

Scientific Name: Bellis perennis
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • innocence
  • purity
  • beauty
  • peace
  • hope

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

The name 'Daisy' comes from 'day's eye', referring to the yellow center resembling the sun, and the flower's nature of opening in sunlight and closing on cloudy days or at night. In European and American folklore, it has been treated as a symbolic flower for centuries, often representing childlike innocence.

Trivia

  • The scientific name 'Bellis' comes from Latin 'bellus' meaning 'beautiful'
  • In Japan, seeds planted in autumn bloom successively from February to May
  • Characterized by a very long blooming period, usually treated as autumn-sown annuals
  • The yellow center resembles the sun, opening in sunlight and closing when cloudy

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used as cut flowers in bouquets and arrangements
  • Planted in gardens for flower bed borders
  • Grown in pots for indoor and outdoor decoration
Medicinal
  • Used in European folk medicine for fractures and wounds
  • Still used in some places as herbal tea

Caution: Consultation with experts is recommended for medicinal use

Culinary
  • flowers
  • young leaves
Other
  • Cultural use as a tool for love divination
  • Material for children's flower crowns
  • Material for bridal decorations

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: whole plant when consumed in large amounts

Symptoms: Large consumption may cause digestive system problems

Japanese Primrose
Siebold's Primrose Primula

Scientific Name: Primula sieboldii
Family: Primulaceae

Flower Language

  • youth's joy and sorrow
  • first love
  • purity
  • hope
  • hopes of boyhood

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Many related species grow wild throughout Japan and have been cherished as garden plants since ancient times. Breeding advanced during the Edo period, creating about 300 varieties, making it a classical horticultural plant. In Greek mythology, it's said that a young man named Paralysos died of grief after losing his betrothed and was transformed into a primula.

Trivia

  • Classical horticultural plant with about 300 varieties created during the Edo period
  • Designated as the prefectural flower of Saitama and Osaka prefectures
  • Avoided by herbivorous animals like Japanese deer due to its toxicity
  • Some species secrete primin, a substance that causes contact dermatitis

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used in wildflower gardens
  • Grown in pots for spring viewing
  • Used as cut flowers for tea ceremony
Medicinal
  • Used medicinally in some folk remedies
  • Currently mainly used for ornamental purposes

Caution: Primulaceae family often contains allergens and may cause contact dermatitis

Culinary

Not used for culinary purposes due to allergen content

Other
  • Cultural value as a classical horticultural plant
  • Collection target for wildflower enthusiasts
  • Symbolic use as prefectural flower

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: whole plant, especially roots

Symptoms: May cause contact dermatitis (skin irritation) and contains components that even herbivorous animals avoid

Gymnaster
Tokyo Daisy Miyako-wasure

Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum savatieri
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • brief respite
  • brief farewell
  • farewell

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Named 'Miyako-wasure' (forgetting the capital) from the legend that Emperor Juntoku, exiled to Sado Island after the Jokyu War, was able to forget his longing for the capital when he saw this flower. The small purple flowers are charming and have long been cherished as wildflowers.

Trivia

  • Name derived from the historical Jokyu War (1221)
  • Origin story involves Emperor Juntoku's 22-year exile on Sado Island
  • Though small and delicate, the name carries deep history and story
  • Popular among wildflower enthusiasts as a representative spring flower

Uses

Ornamental
  • Main plant in wildflower gardens
  • Used as tea flowers in tea ceremony
  • Grown in pots for ornamental purposes
Medicinal
  • Used medicinally in some folk remedies
  • Currently mainly used for ornamental purposes

Caution: Consultation with experts is recommended for medicinal use

Culinary

This is an ornamental flower and is not used for culinary purposes

Other
  • Cultural value as subject matter in classical literature
  • Accent plant in Japanese-style gardens
  • Exhibition plant in wildflower shows

Toxicity

Toxic Parts: no particular toxicity

Symptoms: Generally considered safe, but recommended to enjoy as ornamental

Anemone
Windflower Poppy Anemone

Scientific Name: Anemone coronaria
Family: Ranunculaceae

Flower Language

  • truth
  • fleeting love
  • pain of love

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

The name Anemone comes from the Greek word meaning 'wind' and is also called 'windflower'. Native to the Mediterranean coast, it's popular as a bulb plant that blooms with vibrant colors in spring. In Greek mythology, it's said to have grown from the blood of the beautiful youth Adonis and is considered a symbol of love and sorrow.

Trivia

  • Name derived from Greek word meaning 'wind', also called 'windflower'
  • Though a bulb plant, soaking in water before planting is important for cultivation
  • Flower meanings vary greatly by color - white represents truth, red represents pain of love
  • Associated with the beautiful youth Adonis in Greek mythology, symbolizing love and death

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used as cut flowers in bouquets and arrangements
  • Planted in gardens to brighten spring flower beds
  • Grown in pots for indoor and outdoor decoration
Medicinal
  • Used medicinally in some ancient practices
  • Currently avoided for medicinal use due to toxicity

Caution: Belongs to Ranunculaceae family and is toxic, so internal use is strictly prohibited

Culinary

Not used for culinary purposes due to toxicity

Other
  • Religious use as Easter decoration flowers
  • Material for bridal decorations
  • Accent in spring garden design

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: whole plant, especially bulb parts

Symptoms: Ingestion may cause gastroenteritis, dermatitis, and respiratory difficulties