Lady Banks' Rose
Banksia Rose
White Lady Banks
Scientific Name:
Rosa banksiae
Family:
Rosaceae
Flower Language
-
first love
-
happy childhood times
-
purity
Characteristics
Colors:
yellow
Description
Mokkou-bara is a climbing shrub native to China in the Rosaceae family, introduced to Japan during the mid-Edo period. It blooms many small flowers 2-3cm in diameter in clusters from April to May. Easy to handle due to lack of thorns, with both yellow and white flowering varieties. Vines can extend over 10m and are enjoyed trained on fences and arches. Lightly fragrant, disease-resistant and easy to grow.
Trivia
- Named 'Lady Banks' Rose' after the wife of British botanist Joseph Banks
- A specimen in America is registered in Guinness records as the world's largest rose
- Main horticultural varieties are single white and double yellow flowering types
- Historic flower cultivated in China for over 1000 years
Uses
Ornamental
- Trained as climbers on fences and arches
- Climbing roses for wall greening
- Used as ground cover
Medicinal
- Flowers used as 'muxiang flower' in traditional Chinese medicine for qi and blood harmony
- Believed to have anti-inflammatory effects in folk medicine
Caution:
Effects in modern medicine unconfirmed, use for ornamental purposes is recommended
Other
- Production of rose water
- Material for potpourri and dried flowers
- Petals used as natural dye
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally non-toxic with edible petals, but choose pesticide-free horticultural varieties
Sweet William
Dianthus Barbatus
Bunch Pink
Scientific Name:
Dianthus barbatus
Family:
Caryophyllaceae
Flower Language
-
you are perfect
-
gallantry
-
bravery
Characteristics
Colors:
red
Description
Bijonadesico is a biennial plant native to Europe in the Caryophyllaceae family, belonging to the same Dianthus genus as carnations. It blooms fragrant small flowers densely clustered in umbrella-like formations from May to July. Flower colors are abundant including red, pink, white, and multicolored, and with a height of about 60cm, it is often used as cut flowers. In Britain, beloved as 'Sweet William' and a staple plant of cottage gardens.
Trivia
- English name 'Sweet William' is said to derive from Saint William or a person's name from Shakespeare's era
- Particularly fragrant among Caryophyllaceae, with stronger scent in the evening
- Seeds can naturally self-sow, allowing enjoyment the following year once planted
- Popular as flowers to give to lovers in medieval Europe
Uses
Ornamental
- Main plant in flower beds from spring to summer
- Can be enjoyed as cut flowers for long periods
- Cottage garden style landscapes
Medicinal
- Used as heart tonic in European folk medicine
- Currently not used medicinally
Caution:
Effects in modern medicine unconfirmed, use for ornamental purposes is recommended
Other
- Long-term preservation as dried flowers
- Material for potpourri utilizing fragrance
- Petals used as natural dye
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
whole plant (trace amounts)
Symptoms:
May cause mild gastrointestinal upset if consumed in large quantities, but no problem with normal ornamental use
Cudweed
Jersey Cudweed
Cotton Rose
Scientific Name:
Gnaphalium affine
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
always thinking of you
-
unconditional love
-
warm feelings
Characteristics
Colors:
yellow
Description
Hahakogusa is an annual plant native to Asia in the Asteraceae family, beloved since ancient times as one of the seven spring herbs called 'gogyo'. It blooms small yellow flower heads densely clustered from March to May. The entire plant is covered with white hairs, especially the undersides of leaves appear white with cotton-like hairs. A familiar wild plant commonly seen along roadsides and around fields, with young leaves used as food.
Trivia
- The name 'mother-child grass' comes from the appearance of white cotton-like hairs resembling a child embraced by mother
- Called 'gogyo' in seven spring herbs, coming from ancient word meaning 'human form'
- Known as an Asteraceae plant that doesn't cause hay fever
- Also called 'Hōkogusa' during the Edo period
Uses
Ornamental
- Natural presentation in wildflower gardens
- Long-term preservation as dried flowers
- Used as material for pressed flowers
Medicinal
- Used for cough relief and phlegm removal in traditional Chinese medicine
- Believed to regulate gastrointestinal health in folk medicine
- Used externally for treating cuts and bruises
Caution:
Medicinal use should be under professional guidance, avoid self-medication
Other
- Yellow pigment extracted as natural dye
- Ecological role as food plant for insects
- Believed to have soil improvement effects
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally non-toxic and edible, but be careful about the environment where harvested
Fritillaria
Checkered Lily
Crown Imperial
Scientific Name:
Fritillaria verticillata
Family:
Liliaceae
Flower Language
-
talent
-
dignified appearance
-
humility
Characteristics
Colors:
purple
Description
Baimo is a perennial plant native to China in the Liliaceae family, introduced to Japan as a medicinal plant during the Edo period. It blooms pale purple or white bell-shaped flowers facing downward from March to April. The inside of the flowers has a beautiful net-like pattern, giving a very elegant impression. The bulbs are used in traditional Chinese medicine as 'beimu' for cough relief and phlegm removal. It is also valued as tea ceremony flowers and a representative spring flower.
Trivia
- The name 'baimu (shell mother)' comes from bulbs splitting into two like bivalve shells
- Treated as one of the 'highest rank tea flowers' in tea ceremony
- Records show medicinal use in China for over 2000 years
- Net patterns inside flowers differ by individual, unique like fingerprints
Uses
Ornamental
- Most important flower material for tea ceremony
- Early spring presentation in Japanese-style gardens
- Collection plants for mountain wildflower enthusiasts
Medicinal
- Bulbs used as 'beimu' in traditional Chinese medicine
- Believed to have cough suppression, phlegm removal, and fever reduction effects
- Used for treating bronchitis and pneumonia
Caution:
Medicinal use should be under professional guidance, amateur use is dangerous
Culinary
Bulbs are for medicinal use only, not suitable for consumption, avoid ingestion
Other
- Can be enjoyed as cut flowers for short periods
- Used as material for pressed flowers
- Used in academic research as plant specimens
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
bulbs, whole plant
Symptoms:
Bulb consumption may cause poisoning symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing difficulties