Tulip
Garden tulip
Scientific Name:
Tulipa gesneriana
Family:
Liliaceae
Flower Language
-
waiting for you
-
charity
-
thoughtfulness
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
Tulips are representative bulb plants that spread from Turkey to the Netherlands around the 16th century. At that time, Dutch gardens were mainly herbs and fruit trees, so tulips are said to have had a great impact. They are loved all over the world as spring flowers and color gardens with various varieties and colors.
Trivia
- The Dutch Tulip mania is considered the world's first speculative bubble
- A single bulb was once traded for the price of a house
- The Turkish word 'turban' is said to be the origin
- About 3 billion tulips are produced annually in the Netherlands
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flowers
- Garden planting
- Potted plants
- Parks and gardens
- Water cultivation
Medicinal
- Once used for sedative effects
Caution:
No longer used medicinally due to toxicity
Other
- Perfume ingredient
- Important crop in horticulture industry
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs, Stems, Leaves, Flowers
Symptoms:
Nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, contact dermatitis (tulip finger)
Cape marigold
Dimorphotheca
African daisy
Scientific Name:
Dimorphotheca sinuata
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
always cheerful you
-
wealth
-
abundance
Description
An annual plant that blooms from spring to early summer, with flowers resembling marguerites but lower in height at about 30 cm, characterized by glossy petals. Also known as African marigold, it has the property of closing its flowers at night or on cloudy days.
Trivia
- The name derives from Greek meaning 'two-shaped box (fruit)'
- One flower produces two types of seeds
- Flowers close at night or on cloudy days
- Large seeds make it easy for beginners to sow
Uses
Ornamental
- Bedding plants
- Potted plants
- Container gardens
- Cut flowers
Medicinal
Caution:
No recorded medicinal use
Other
- Beginner-friendly plant for seed sowing
- Educational plant material
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No toxicity reported
China aster
Aster
Annual aster
Scientific Name:
Callistephus chinensis
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
change
-
believing heart
-
beautiful memories
Description
A semi-hardy annual from northern China, classified in the Asteraceae family, genus Callistephus. The name 'Aster' means 'star shape' in Greek, named because the flowers look like stars. Many garden varieties exist, with flowers ranging from small 3cm to large 10cm, and rich flower colors.
Trivia
- Sensitive to continuous cropping, requiring 5+ year intervals
- Name derives from Greek word meaning star
- Long loved as a flower for love divination
- Introduced to Japan during the Edo period
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flowers
- Bedding plants
- Potted plants
- Offering flowers
Medicinal
Caution:
No recorded medicinal use
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No toxicity reported
Lilac
Common lilac
Scientific Name:
Syringa vulgaris
Family:
Oleaceae
Flower Language
-
memories
-
friendship
-
scent of first love
Description
A deciduous flowering tree of the Oleaceae family from southeastern Europe, producing gorgeous and charming flowers with a sweet fragrance. Flowers usually have 4 petals, but occasionally 5-petaled ones appear, called 'Happy Lilac' with lucky folklore.
Trivia
- 5-petaled 'Happy Lilac' is a symbol of good luck
- Sapporo holds an annual Lilac Festival in late May
- Favored for perfumes due to its pleasant fragrance
- Origin from French word 'Lilas'
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden trees
- Park plantings
- Cut flowers
- Street trees
Medicinal
- Traditionally used for treating fever and joint pain
Caution:
Currently not recommended for medical use
Other
- Perfume ingredient
- Essential oil extraction
- Dried flowers
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Leaves, Bark
Symptoms:
Mild gastrointestinal symptoms possible with large ingestion
Apple blossom
Apple
Apple tree
Scientific Name:
Malus domestica
Family:
Rosaceae
Description
A deciduous tree of the Rosaceae family, genus Malus, native to southern Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. It produces beautiful light pink to white flowers from April to May, similar in shape and size to cherry blossoms. The flower language 'preference' is said to derive from apple blossoms being harbingers of beneficial fruit to come.
Trivia
- One of the most cultivated fruit trees in the world
- The saying 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away'
- Famous as the tree from which Newton discovered gravity
- About 7,500 varieties exist
Uses
Ornamental
- Ornamental trees
- Cut flowers
- Garden trees
- Park plantings
Medicinal
- Antidiarrheal
- Appetite stimulant
Caution:
Fruit is generally safe, but seeds contain cyanide compounds
Culinary
- Fruit
- Flowers (small amounts)
Other
- Fruit cultivation
- Timber use
- Pectin source
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Seeds
Symptoms:
Amygdalin in seeds produces cyanide during digestion, but normal consumption amounts are not problematic