Easter Cactus
Spring Cactus
Holiday Cactus
Scientific Name:
Hatiora gaertneri
Family:
Cactaceae
Flower Language
-
age of love
-
joy of resurrection
-
passion
Characteristics
Colors:
red
Description
Hoshikujaku is an evergreen succulent plant native to Brazil in the Cactaceae family, genus Hatiora. It is a forest epiphytic cactus that in nature grows attached to trees and rocky surfaces. It is called 'Easter Cactus' because it blooms around Easter time (Resurrection) from late March to early May. Flower colors vary including red, pink, and orange, with both single and double-flowering varieties.
Trivia
- Previously classified in the Rhipsalidopsis genus, now integrated into the Hatiora genus
- Related to Christmas cactus but differs in spring blooming period
- Also called 'segmented cactus' due to its jointed stem characteristics
- Flowers open during the day and close at night
Uses
Ornamental
- Indoor potted plant for ornamental purposes
- Greenhouse and cold climate cultivation
- Trailing effect in hanging baskets
Medicinal
- Used in South American indigenous folk medicine for inflammation treatment
- Medicinal effects unconfirmed in modern medicine
Caution:
Medical effects are not scientifically proven, cultivation for ornamental purposes is recommended
Culinary
For ornamental use only, avoid culinary use
Other
- Indoor plant said to have air purification effects
- Short-term cut flower use as floral material
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally considered non-toxic, but avoid consumption as it is not edible
California Poppy
Golden Poppy
Cup of Gold
Scientific Name:
Eschscholzia californica
Family:
Papaveraceae
Flower Language
-
don't reject me
-
hope
-
success
Characteristics
Colors:
orange
Description
California poppy is a hardy annual plant native to western North America in the Papaveraceae family, genus Eschscholzia. It is designated as the state flower of California and blooms vibrant orange 4-petaled flowers from spring to summer. Garden varieties come in diverse flower colors including red, white, pink, and marbled patterns. The combination of deeply cut leaves and glossy flowers is beautiful, and it is characterized by being hardy and easy to grow.
Trivia
- Designated as California's official state flower in 1903
- Flowers are weather-sensitive, closing on cloudy or rainy days
- Seeds are very small, with about 3000 seeds per gram
- Called 'California's gold' during the Gold Rush era
Uses
Ornamental
- Cultivated as annual in flower beds
- Main plant in wildflower gardens
- Enjoyed as cut flowers for short periods
Medicinal
- Used as analgesic in Native American traditional medicine
- In European herbal medicine, believed to have anti-anxiety effects
- In modern times, sometimes used for mild insomnia improvement
Caution:
Contains alkaloids, medical use should be under professional guidance
Other
- Expected relaxation effects as herbal tea
- Decorative use as dried flowers
- Oil extracted from seeds used in skincare products
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
whole plant (contains alkaloids)
Symptoms:
Large consumption may cause mild gastrointestinal upset or drowsiness
Hosta
Plantain Lily
Funkia
Scientific Name:
Hosta sieboldiana
Family:
Asparagaceae
Flower Language
-
tranquility
-
peace of mind
-
quiet person
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
Hosta is a perennial plant native to East Asia in the Asparagaceae family, with about 20 species native to Japan. It spreads large leaves radially and blooms elegant white or purple flowers at the tips of flower stems in summer. Called the 'queen of foliage plants' for its beautiful leaves, it is beloved worldwide as the star of shade gardens since it can grow in shade. The spring shoots are also used as mountain vegetables called 'urui'.
Trivia
- Introduced to Europe by Siebold in the 1830s, now with over 3000 cultivars
- Known as 'Hosta' in America with a market size of hundreds of millions of dollars annually
- Extremely diverse in leaf color, shape, and size, making it a highly collectible plant
- Often fragrant at night, with some species called 'night-scented flowers'
Uses
Ornamental
- Star plant in shade gardens
- Used as ground cover in Japanese-style gardens
- Indoor decoration as foliage plant in pots
Medicinal
- In folk medicine, believed to have fever-reducing properties
- Used externally for treating burns and cuts
Caution:
Medical effects are not scientifically proven, use for ornamental and culinary purposes is recommended
Culinary
- young shoots (urui)
- young flower stems
Other
- Can be enjoyed as cut flowers for short periods
- Used as material for pressed flowers
- Craft material utilizing leaf shapes
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally non-toxic and edible, but care must be taken not to confuse with similar toxic plants