Crown Daisy
Coleostephus Yellow Daisy

Scientific Name: Coleostephus myconis
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • nobility
  • sincerity
  • be your sincere self

Characteristics

Colors: yellow

Description

Chrysanthemum multicaule is an annual plant native to North Africa in the Asteraceae family. It blooms small, bright yellow flowers from spring to early summer, spreading low across the ground as it grows. The bowl-shaped flowers have a slight sheen and sway beautifully in the wind, making them suitable for flower beds, potted plants, and hanging baskets.

Trivia

  • Previously classified in the Chrysanthemum genus, now reclassified to Coleostephus
  • The name 'multicaule' derives from Latin meaning 'many stems'
  • Flower blooming is sensitive to daylight hours, tending to close on cloudy days
  • Seeds are dispersed by wind and can reproduce naturally

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used as ground cover in flower beds
  • Suitable for potted plants and container gardens
  • Trailing effect in hanging baskets
Medicinal
  • In folk medicine, believed to have anti-inflammatory properties
  • Leaf juice used for treating external wounds

Caution: Medical effects are not scientifically proven, use with caution

Culinary

For ornamental use only, culinary use not recommended

Other
  • Can be enjoyed as cut flowers for short periods
  • Can be used as material for dried flowers

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: leaves, stems

Symptoms: May cause mild gastrointestinal upset if consumed in large quantities

Forget-me-not
True Forget-me-not Water Forget-me-not

Scientific Name: Myosotis scorpioides
Family: Boraginaceae

Flower Language

  • forget me not
  • true friendship
  • true love

Characteristics

Colors: blue

Description

Forget-me-not is a plant native to Europe in the Boraginaceae family, blooming small light blue 5-petaled flowers from spring to early summer. The flower's name comes from a German tragic love legend, named after the last cry 'forget me not' of a young man who was swept away by the rapids of the Danube while trying to pick this flower for his beloved. It was introduced to Japan by gardening merchants during the Meiji period.

Trivia

  • Designated as the state flower of Alaska
  • Used as a symbol flower for Alzheimer's disease awareness
  • The center of the flower is yellow, creating a beautiful contrast with the blue petals
  • Seeds have small hook-like hairs that attach to animals for dispersal

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used as border plants in flower beds
  • Indoor decoration in potted plants
  • Enjoyed as cut flowers for short periods
Medicinal
  • Used for respiratory ailments in European folk medicine
  • Sometimes used as cough suppressant and expectorant

Caution: Medical effects are not sufficiently scientifically proven and should not be used without expert guidance

Culinary

For ornamental use only, culinary use not recommended

Other
  • Processed into pressed flowers for keepsakes and memorabilia
  • Rarely used as material for perfumes and aromatherapy

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally considered non-toxic, but large consumption should be avoided

Gymnaster
Savafier's aster Japanese aster

Scientific Name: Gymnaster savatieri
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • brief respite
  • tranquility
  • brief farewell

Characteristics

Colors: purple

Description

Miyakowasure is a perennial plant native to Japan in the Asteraceae family, developed as a horticultural variety of Miyamayomena. It blooms flowers ranging from deep purple to light purple, pink, and white from April to June. The name originates from a historical tale where Emperor Juntoku, while exiled to Sado Island, found comfort in viewing this flower and was able to forget his longing for the capital. It has been cherished as a tea ceremony flower since the Edo period.

Trivia

  • Has over 300 years of cultivation history since the Edo period
  • In tea ceremony, sometimes called by the poetic name 'yamaji no tsuyu' (dew on mountain paths)
  • Flower size is a modest 3-4cm, optimal size for tea ceremony flowers
  • Beloved as a symbol of farewell and comfort due to Emperor Juntoku's historical tale

Uses

Ornamental
  • One of the most important flower materials for tea ceremony
  • Shade gardens in Japanese-style landscapes
  • Bonsai-style arrangement in potted plants
Medicinal
  • In folk medicine, believed to have fever-reducing properties
  • Leaf juice used to relieve eye strain

Caution: Medical effects are not proven, recommended to enjoy for ornamental purposes

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption, please limit use to ornamental purposes

Other
  • Can be enjoyed as cut flowers for short periods
  • Popular material for pressed flowers

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally considered non-toxic, but avoid consumption as it is not edible

Love-in-a-mist
Nigella Devil-in-a-bush

Scientific Name: Nigella damascena
Family: Ranunculaceae

Flower Language

  • perplexity
  • deep love
  • love in a dream

Characteristics

Colors: blue

Description

Nigella damascena is an annual plant native to the Mediterranean coast and Western Asia in the Ranunculaceae family. It blooms blue, white, purple, and pink flowers from May to July, with finely dissected feathery leaves that create a mist-like envelope around the flowers, giving it a unique beauty. The English name 'Love-in-a-mist' derives from this characteristic. The fruit becomes an inflated capsule and is also popular for dried flowers.

Trivia

  • The scientific name 'Nigella' comes from Latin 'Niger (black)' referring to the black seeds
  • Seeds have been found in ancient Egyptian pharaoh tombs, with over 3000 years of cultivation history
  • Flowers are day-blooming, opening in the morning and closing in the evening
  • Seed capsules are divided into five chambers, each containing black seeds

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cultivated as an annual in flower beds
  • Enjoyed as cut flowers for short periods
  • Long-term preservation as dried flowers
Medicinal
  • Seeds are toxic and medicinal use is dangerous
  • Ornamental N. damascena is not suitable for culinary or medicinal use

Caution: Nigella seeds contain plant alkaloids and consumption can cause poisoning symptoms

Culinary

For ornamental use only. Only seeds of N. sativa are suitable for consumption; this species is toxic

Other
  • Main material for dried flower arrangements
  • Craft material utilizing the unique shape of seeds

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: seeds, whole plant

Symptoms: Seed consumption may cause poisoning symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting, and convulsions