Philadelphia Fleabane
Spring Daisy Fleabane
Scientific Name:
Erigeron philadelphicus
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
subtle love
-
love of reminiscence
Characteristics
Colors:
white, light pink
Description
Named by botanist Makino Tomitaro meaning 'aster that blooms in spring.' A naturalized plant introduced to Japan in the 1920s for ornamental purposes, now beloved as a wildflower. Characterized by drooping buds and hollow stems. The ligulate flowers are less than 1mm wide, almost thread-like, and it's a very prolific perennial.
Trivia
- nicknamed 'poverty grass' from superstition that blooming brings poverty
- often confused with Himejoon but can be distinguished by flowering period and stem structure
- herbicide-resistant individuals appeared in the 1980s
- named by Dr. Makino Tomitaro meaning 'aster that blooms in spring'
Uses
Ornamental
- wildflower garden
- natural style garden
- cut flowers
Medicinal
- historical use as folk medicine
Caution:
avoid large consumption
Other
- environmental indicator plant
- nectar source plant
Toxicity
Symptoms:
generally considered non-toxic but requires proper processing due to astringency
Belladonna Delphinium
Larkspur
Scientific Name:
Delphinium × belladonna
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Flower Language
-
fickleness
-
clarity
-
nobility
Characteristics
Colors:
blue, light blue, blue-purple, white
Description
The graceful appearance of blue and pink flowers arranged in spikes at the tips of long stems is elegant, with single-flowered Belladonna types having particularly refined and light impressions. A hybrid created in the late 19th century with intermediate characteristics between Elatum and Sinense types. Height 50-100cm, with branching but main central stem. One of the flowers you'd want to use as the star in arrangements or early summer gardens.
Trivia
- name derives from 'delphin' (dolphin) due to bud resemblance to dolphins
- commonly used in flower designer certification exams
- relatively new horticultural variety created in late 19th century
- hybrid between Elatum and Sinense types
Uses
Ornamental
- cut flowers
- flower beds
- flower arrangements
Medicinal
Caution:
caution needed due to toxicity in entire plant
Culinary
not suitable for consumption
Other
- dried flowers
- pressed flowers
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
entire plant, especially seeds
Symptoms:
contains alkaloids that may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and respiratory difficulties if ingested
Blue Lace Flower
Didiscus
Scientific Name:
Trachymene caerulea
Family:
Apiaceae
Flower Language
-
graceful behavior
-
graceful accomplishment
-
modest person
Characteristics
Colors:
blue, pink, white
Description
Characterized by small flowers forming one large composite flower, with each individual flower being relatively large. Leaves and stems have fine downy hairs, and the pale flower tones give a gentle impression. Flowers form umbrella-shaped clusters with small flowers densely packed in hemisphere shapes, creating 5-7cm diameter clusters. Plants reach 60cm-1m in height and are popular as cut flowers.
Trivia
- former scientific name was Didiscus coeruleus, still sometimes called Didiscus
- completely different plant from White Lace Flower
- introduced to Japan during Taisho period
- endemic species to Western Australia
Uses
Ornamental
- cut flowers
- bouquets
- flower arrangements
Medicinal
Caution:
no particular cautions
Culinary
not suitable for consumption
Other
- dried flowers
- preserved flowers
Toxicity
Symptoms:
no toxicity reported
Deutzia
Japanese Snow Flower
Scientific Name:
Deutzia crenata
Family:
Hydrangeaceae
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
The stem interior is hollow like a straw, and the Japanese name 'Utsugi' means 'hollow tree,' named for the hollow trunk (stem). It's a deciduous shrub that grows 1-2.5m tall with good branching, blooming white five-petaled flowers from May to June. It appears as 'unohana' in classical literature including Man'yoshu, Kokin Wakashu, Makura no Soshi, and Tsurezuregusa, and has been beloved since ancient times. It tolerates pruning well and is often used as garden trees or hedges.
Trivia
- famous from song 'Summer Has Come' with lyrics about fragrant unohana hedges
- formerly classified in Saxifragaceae, now in Hydrangeaceae
- mentioned as 'unohana' in 24 poems in Man'yoshu
- not used as timber due to hollow stems
Uses
Ornamental
- garden trees
- hedges
- park plantings
Medicinal
- historical use as folk medicine
Caution:
no particular cautions
Culinary
not suitable for consumption
Other
- cut flowers
- floral material
Toxicity
Symptoms:
no toxicity reported
Morning Glory
Japanese Morning Glory
Scientific Name:
Ipomoea nil
Family:
Convolvulaceae
Flower Language
-
strong bond
-
overflowing joy
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
Extends long vines that cling to surrounding objects and blooms beautiful white flowers in the morning. Named 'morning face' because the beautiful flowers bloom in the morning and wither by noon. Introduced to Japan in the late Nara period when envoys to Tang brought back seeds as medicine, and became hugely popular as ornamental plants during the Edo period. White flowers have the flower language meanings of 'strong bond' and 'overflowing joy.'
Trivia
- two morning glory booms occurred during Edo period
- many mutant varieties called 'henka-asagao' were created
- seeds contain laxative components and were called 'qianniuzi'
- also used as model plant in genetic research
Uses
Ornamental
- green curtain
- potted plants
- hedges
Medicinal
- seeds used in traditional Chinese medicine
- has laxative effects
Caution:
seeds are toxic, requiring professional guidance
Culinary
not suitable for consumption
Other
- environmental education material
- summer shading
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
seeds, leaves (when consumed in large amounts)
Symptoms:
components in seeds may cause diarrhea and vomiting
Field Bindweed
European Bindweed
Small Bindweed
Scientific Name:
Convolvulus arvensis
Family:
Convolvulaceae
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
A perennial native to Europe that reproduces via underground stems and extends long vine-like stems. It blooms white funnel-shaped flowers similar to morning glories but characterized by flowers remaining open during the day. It has strong reproductive ability and has established itself as a naturalized plant in many parts of the world. White flowers represent purity and bonds, with flower language meanings of 'bond' and 'friendship.'
Trivia
- unlike morning glories, flowers remain open during the day
- difficult to eradicate due to underground stem reproduction
- often treated as weed in many parts of the world
- long beloved as wildflower in Europe
Uses
Ornamental
- wildflower garden
- natural style garden
- ground cover
Medicinal
- historical use as folk medicine
Caution:
avoid large consumption
Culinary
not suitable for consumption
Other
- soil protection
- environmental indicator plant
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
entire plant
Symptoms:
large amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal disturbance