Marguerite
Paris daisy
African daisy
Scientific Name:
Argyranthemum frutescens
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
secret love
-
divination of love
-
hidden love in heart
-
faith
-
secret love
-
true love
-
beautiful appearance
Description
Marguerite is a perennial plant in the Asteraceae family, native to the Spanish Canary Islands. It blooms beautiful white star-shaped flowers from November to May. The name derives from the Greek word 'Margarites' meaning 'pearl', referring to its pure white, round petals that resemble pearls. It is widely known as the flower for love divination, where people pluck petals one by one saying 'loves me, loves me not' to predict romantic outcomes. Cultivation is relatively easy, preferring well-drained soil and moderate sunlight.
Trivia
- Featured in the love divination scene in the French film 'The Lover' (1992), becoming a staple flower in romantic movies
- Appears in Japanese children's songs about flowers, beloved as a representative spring flower
- Treasured as a symbolic flower of the Canary Islands and used in stamp designs
- NASA research has confirmed that marguerites have indoor air purification effects
Uses
Ornamental
- Used as cut flowers in bouquets and arrangements
- Cultivated in gardens and flower beds for color
- Grown in pots for balcony and indoor decoration
Medicinal
- Used in folk medicine for cold symptom relief
- Sometimes used as herbal tea
Caution:
Consult specialists before medicinal use
Other
- Use as fragrance
- Scenting for soaps and cosmetics
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
leaves, stems
Symptoms:
Large quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal distress
Lily of the valley
May bells
May lily
Ladder-to-heaven
Scientific Name:
Convallaria majalis
Family:
Asparagaceae
Flower Language
-
purity
-
happiness
-
cleanliness
-
humility
-
return of happiness
Description
Lily of the valley is a perennial plant in the Asparagaceae family, native to cool regions of Europe and Asia. From April to May, it blooms white bell-shaped flowers among large, dark green leaves. Its elegant and refined appearance has been beloved by many for centuries. In France, there is a tradition called 'Lily of the Valley Day' on May 1st, where people give these flowers as they are believed to bring happiness. However, the entire plant is toxic and requires careful handling, containing dangerous compounds like convallatoxin and convalloside that can be fatal if ingested.
Trivia
- French legend says giving lily of the valley on May 1st brings happiness for the entire year
- Coco Chanel's favorite flower, also used in the fragrance of Chanel No.5
- Used in stamp and coin designs as Finland's national flower
- So toxic that there have been fatal accidents from children drinking water containing the plant
Uses
Ornamental
- Used as cut flowers in bouquets and arrangements
- Cultivated as ground cover in shaded garden areas
- Grown in pots for spring indoor decoration
Medicinal
- Traditionally used for treating heart conditions
- Believed to have diuretic properties
Caution:
Absolutely avoid medicinal use as the entire plant is highly toxic
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption, ingestion is dangerous
Other
- Used as perfume ingredient
- Wedding bouquets and decorations
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
entire plant, flowers, roots, berries
Symptoms:
Poisoning from convallatoxin and convalloside causes vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, cardiac arrhythmia, and can be fatal in severe cases
Columbine
Granny's bonnet
Aquilegia
Scientific Name:
Aquilegia spp.
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Flower Language
-
victory
-
sure to obtain
-
determination to victory
-
trembling with worry
-
worried about that person
Description
Columbine is a perennial plant in the Ranunculaceae family distributed in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It blooms flowers with very distinctive shapes from May to June. The flowers hang downward, and what appears to be petals are actually sepals, with the true petals extending pipe-like from the center. This unique structure includes projections called 'spurs,' which are columbine's most distinctive feature. Japan has native species like Miyama-odamaki and Yama-odamaki, while currently cultivated varieties are mainly hybrids called Western columbines. They come in diverse colors including purple, pink, white, yellow, red, and multicolored varieties.
Trivia
- Designated as Colorado's state flower and featured on the state's penny design
- Named Columbine (Latin for dove) because the flower shape resembles a dove
- Medieval painters often included columbines in paintings of the Virgin Mary
- Seeds are very small and can be carried far by wind
Uses
Ornamental
- Cultivation in garden borders and flower beds
- Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
- Pot cultivation for balcony and indoor viewing
Medicinal
- Traditionally believed to have diuretic and antipyretic effects
- Used by Native Americans as a pain reliever
Caution:
Avoid medicinal use as the entire plant is toxic
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption, ingestion is dangerous due to toxicity
Other
- Used as dried flowers
- Popular material for pressed flowers
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
entire plant, seeds, roots
Symptoms:
Protoanemonin toxin can cause dermatitis and gastrointestinal disorders
Edelweiss
Woolly alpine
Lion's foot
Scientific Name:
Leontopodium alpinum
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
precious memories
-
courage
-
endurance
-
purity
-
sublimity
Description
Edelweiss is a perennial plant in the Asteraceae family, naturally growing in the alpine regions of the European Alps at elevations of 2000-2900m. The entire plant is covered with white woolly hairs, giving it a beautiful and mystical appearance. The name comes from German words meaning 'noble' (edel) and 'white' (weis), truly giving a noble impression. Beloved as the national flower of Switzerland and Austria, it has become a symbolic flower of mountainous regions. To adapt to harsh alpine environments, the entire plant is covered with woolly hairs to protect against UV radiation and desiccation. Cultivation is difficult as it dislikes high temperatures and humidity, requiring special care for cultivation in lowland areas.
Trivia
- Became world-famous through the theme song of the musical 'The Sound of Music'
- Featured on the Swiss 2-franc coin design
- Used as insignia for mountain troops during Nazi Germany
- Currently declining in wild populations and designated as protected plants in many countries
Uses
Ornamental
- Cultivation and display in alpine botanical gardens
- Rock garden cultivation
- Motif for souvenirs and decorations
Medicinal
- Traditionally used for treating digestive disorders
- Used as folk medicine for respiratory diseases
- Believed to have anti-inflammatory properties
Caution:
Medicinal use is not currently recommended. Consult specialists
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Ingredient for perfumes and cosmetics
- Design for souvenirs and accessories
- Used as symbol for tourist destinations
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No particular toxicity reported