Wallflower
Erysimum
Cheiranthus
Scientific Name:
Erysimum cheiri
Family:
Brassicaceae
Flower Language
-
passionate love
-
enduring affection
-
bonds of love
-
love unchanged by adversity
Description
Flowers are arranged in numerous racemes at the stem tips. Flower colors include yellow, orange, purple, and light pink. It blooms stock-like yellow and orange flowers from spring to early summer. The name comes from being commonly found on old stone walls in Europe. The scientific name Erysimum derives from the Greek 'eryomai' meaning 'to save', indicating its historical use as a medicinal herb.
Trivia
- Called 'wallflower' in English because it often blooms on stone walls
- Also became the origin of slang referring to people who don't dance at parties
- Still grows wild on walls of old European castles and monasteries
- Very strong fragrance can fill an entire room with just a small amount
Uses
Ornamental
- Mixed plantings in spring flower beds
- Cut flower arrangements for fragrance enjoyment
- Container garden viewing
Medicinal
- Used as medicinal herb from ancient to medieval times
- Currently mainly used for ornamental purposes
Caution:
Currently recommended to enjoy as an ornamental plant
Culinary
This is an ornamental flower and is not used for culinary purposes
Other
- Sometimes used for fragrance
- Dried flowers for long-term preservation
- Spring flower material in gardening education
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
whole plant
Symptoms:
Large consumption may cause gastrointestinal discomfort
Cherry Blossom
Sakura
Somei Yoshino
Scientific Name:
Cerasus × yedoensis
Family:
Rosaceae
Flower Language
-
spiritual beauty
-
graceful woman
-
purity
-
beauty of heart
Description
Somei Yoshino (染井吉野) is the most beloved cherry variety in Japan, a horticultural variety created in the Somei district of Tokyo in the late Edo period. Considered a hybrid of Edo Higan and Oshima cherry, it blooms before leaf development, creating beautiful scenes where entire branches are covered with pale pink flowers at full bloom. It accounts for about 80% of cherry trees nationwide and serves as the standard for the 'cherry blossom front'.
Trivia
- Somei Yoshino trees nationwide are basically all clones, genetically identical
- Lifespan is about 60-80 years, with many planted after the war now aging
- The phrase 'cherry seven days' refers to about 7 days from blooming to full bloom, and 7 days from full bloom to falling
- Used as specimen trees for biological seasonal observations by the Meteorological Agency nationwide
Uses
Ornamental
- Landscape beautification in parks and street trees
- Garden trees for private home viewing
- Cut branches for indoor decoration
Medicinal
- Cherry bark has been used medicinally since ancient times
- Still used in some traditional Chinese medicines today
Caution:
Consult experts for medicinal use
Culinary
- flowers (salt-preserved)
- leaves (salt-preserved)
Other
- Cherry wood used for furniture and crafts
- Tourism resource for cherry blossom viewing culture
- Indicator plant for meteorological observations
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
leaves, bark, seeds
Symptoms:
Large consumption may cause poisoning symptoms due to cyanide compounds
Japanese Kerria
Kerria
Mountain Rose
Scientific Name:
Kerria japonica
Family:
Rosaceae
Flower Language
-
elegance
-
nobility
-
good fortune
-
modesty
Description
A plant that grows in colonies along mountain streams, on mountain slopes, and in the bright shade of somewhat moist forests. It has been beloved since ancient times and is often planted in gardens. It blooms bright yellow five-petaled flowers from April to June, and its beautiful color has become the origin of the color name 'yamabuki-iro' (mountain rose color). There's a legend that gold coins dropped in a valley bottom became yamabuki flowers, which is said to be the origin of the flower meaning 'good fortune'.
Trivia
- The scientific name Kerria derives from Scottish botanist William Kerr
- Double-flowered varieties also exist for more luxurious blooms
- Known for blooming but not bearing fruit, as sung in Ota Dokan's waka poem
- The color name 'yamabuki-iro' is still used today as one of Japan's traditional colors
Uses
Ornamental
- Ornamental plant in gardens
- Cut flowers for vase arrangements
- Landscape plant in parks and street plantings
Medicinal
- Used in folk medicine since ancient times
- Currently mainly used for ornamental purposes
Caution:
Currently recommended to enjoy as an ornamental plant
Culinary
This is an ornamental flower and is not used for culinary purposes
Other
- Used as flower arrangement material
- Yellow accent in garden design
- Sometimes used as natural dye
Toxicity
Toxic Parts:
no particular toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally considered safe, but please enjoy as an ornamental plant
Pansy
Garden Pansy
Heartsease
Scientific Name:
Viola × wittrockiana
Family:
Violaceae
Flower Language
-
thoughtfulness
-
think of me
-
remembrance
-
unwavering soul
Description
A horticultural species created in the 19th century by crossing wild heartsease (Viola tricolor) with two other species. The flower meanings 'thoughtfulness' and 'think of me' come from how the flowers appear to have human faces, looking downward as if lost in thought. Named 'pansy' from the French word 'pensée' meaning 'to think', it is now beloved worldwide as a spring flower.
Trivia
- Also called 'human face flower' because patterns resemble human faces
- Hundreds of horticultural varieties now exist
- Cold-hardy and can bloom even in snow
- The difference between viola and pansy is mainly flower size, with 5cm or larger being pansy
Uses
Ornamental
- Mixed plantings in spring flower beds
- Container garden viewing
- Cut flowers for small arrangements
Medicinal
- Used as medicinal herb in European traditional medicine
- Currently mainly used for ornamental purposes
Caution:
Currently recommended to enjoy as an ornamental plant
Other
- Introductory plant in gardening education
- Decoration creating spring atmosphere
- Material for colorful garden design
Toxicity
Toxic Parts:
no particular toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally considered safe and can be used for culinary purposes