Red Japanese Andromeda
Japanese Pieris
Pink Andromeda
Scientific Name:
Pieris japonica
Family:
Ericaceae
Flower Language
-
quiet assertion
-
sacrifice
-
let's travel together just the two of us
-
devotion
Description
Lovely bell-shaped flowers that were sung about in the Manyoshu bloom abundantly from March to April. This evergreen shrub belongs to the Ericaceae family, Pieris genus, and is native to Japan, China, and Taiwan. The leaves and stems contain toxic compounds like acetopoxin and grayanotoxin I, which cause horses to stagger drunkenly when consumed, hence the name 'horse intoxication wood'. Red-flowered varieties bloom in red or pink colors instead of the usual white flowers.
Trivia
- Sung in the Manyoshu as 'ashbi' and used as a spring seasonal word
- Can be seen in Nara Park and other places as deer avoid it due to toxicity
- Sometimes called 'Japanese lily-of-the-valley' due to similar flower shape
- Red-flowered varieties are relatively new, created through recent horticultural breeding
Uses
Ornamental
- Ornamental plant in gardens
- Material for flower arrangements
- Indoor and outdoor pot cultivation
Medicinal
- Records show some medicinal use in ancient times
- Currently avoided for medicinal use due to toxicity
Caution:
Medicinal use is strictly prohibited as it is a toxic plant
Culinary
Not used for culinary purposes as it is a toxic plant
Other
- Used for vegetation protection in satoyama as deer avoid it
- Educational material for learning about toxic plants
- Component of traditional Japanese gardens
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
whole plant, especially leaves and stems
Symptoms:
Ingestion may cause severe poisoning symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, and cardiac paralysis
Linaria
Toadflax
Snapdragon
Scientific Name:
Linaria vulgaris
Family:
Plantaginaceae
Flower Language
-
notice this love
-
fantasy
-
disturbed maiden's heart
Description
A familiar spring flower that is also cold-hardy, with flowers visible from February in warm regions. The genus name 'Linaria' derives from the Greek 'linon' (flax plant), referring to the similarity of its narrow leaves to flax leaves. Also called dwarf snapdragon, it's characterized by pastel colors and a modest appearance that doesn't assert itself too strongly.
Trivia
- Japanese name 'hime-kingyosou' (princess snapdragon) refers to resembling but being smaller than snapdragons
- Got the flower meaning 'fantasy' from how pastel colors create fantastical scenes in light
- Originally classified in Scrophulariaceae but now moved to Plantaginaceae
- Seeds are very small and spread by wind dispersal over long distances
Uses
Ornamental
- Mixed plantings in spring flower beds
- Cut flowers for small arrangements
- Container garden viewing
Medicinal
- Used partly for medicinal purposes in European traditional medicine
- 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
- Spring flower material in gardening education
- Component of pastel gardens
- Use in wildflower gardens
Toxicity
Toxic Parts:
no particular toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally considered safe, but avoid large consumption
Fig
Common Fig
Ficus
Scientific Name:
Ficus carica
Family:
Moraceae
Flower Language
-
fruitful love
-
abundance
-
fertility
-
peace
Description
Native to southern Arabia, considered one of the world's oldest cultivated plants. Flowers actually do bloom, but they're tiny flowers inside the fruit, invisible from outside. This special flower structure led to the Chinese characters meaning 'flowerless fruit'. A historic fruit tree cultivated since ancient times, appearing in the Old Testament, introduced to Japan during the Edo period.
Trivia
- Written as 'flowerless fruit' but actually has tiny flowers inside the fruit
- One of the world's oldest cultivated plants, grown for over 10,000 years
- Famous as a fruit loved by Cleopatra
- Sometimes said in Japan that 'one a day keeps the doctor away'
Uses
Ornamental
- Ornamental cultivation as garden tree
- Used as shade tree utilizing large leaves
- Popular as fruit tree combining utility and beauty
Medicinal
- Used medicinally since ancient times for digestion and constipation relief
- Still sometimes used in folk medicine today
Caution:
Caution needed as leaves may cause skin irritation
Culinary
- fruits
- young leaves (some regions)
Other
- Wood used for crafts as it's light and easy to work
- Leaves traditionally used as dishware substitute
- Tree sap being researched as natural rubber alternative
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
leaves, tree sap
Symptoms:
Contact with leaves or sap may cause dermatitis
Bigleaf Periwinkle
Large Periwinkle
Vinca Major
Scientific Name:
Vinca major
Family:
Apocynaceae
Flower Language
-
pleasant memories
-
childhood friend
-
tender recollection
-
lifelong friendship
Description
An evergreen climbing plant of the Apocynaceae family native to the Mediterranean coast of Europe. Flowering period is March to June, with peak season from spring to early summer. The scientific name 'vinca' means 'cord' or 'to bind' in Latin, while 'major' means 'larger'. The flower meaning 'pleasant memories' comes from an episode in philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau's autobiographical work 'Confessions', where Rousseau remembered 'happy days of love' with Madame de Warens upon seeing periwinkle.
Trivia
- Became world-famous through the romantic memory episode in Rousseau's 'Confessions'
- Has very strong reproductive ability and spreads widely once planted
- Flowers are day-blooming, opening in morning and closing in evening
- Shade-tolerant and grows vigorously even in shade where other plants can't survive
Uses
Ornamental
- Ground cover use in gardens
- Slope greening plant
- Hanging basket viewing
Medicinal
- Used as medicinal herb in European traditional medicine
- Currently mainly used for ornamental purposes
Caution:
Contains toxic compounds, so consult experts for any medicinal use
Culinary
Not used for culinary purposes due to toxic compounds
Other
- Soil erosion prevention greening plant
- Greening difficult shaded areas
- Symbolic plant in memorial gardens
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
whole plant, especially leaves and stems
Symptoms:
Ingestion may cause poisoning symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea