Bellflower
Canterbury Bells
Campanula
Scientific Name:
Campanula medium
Family:
Campanulaceae
Description
Campanula is a plant from the Campanulaceae family native to southern Europe. True to its Latin name meaning 'little bell,' it produces beautiful bell-shaped flowers. From May to July, it blooms in blue, purple, white, and pink colors. Also called wind-bell grass due to its flower shape, it was cultivated in medieval European monastery gardens for medicinal and culinary purposes and is now beloved worldwide as an ornamental plant.
Trivia
- The scientific name 'Campanula' derives from the Latin 'campana' meaning 'little bell'
- Represents church bells featured in the English nursery rhyme 'Oranges and Lemons'
- Treasured as 'sacred bell flowers' in medieval monasteries
- Over 300 species are now known
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden border planting
- Main plant in cottage gardens
- As cut flowers
- Potted ornamental use
Medicinal
- Used for treating sore throats in medieval Europe
- Believed to have anti-inflammatory properties in folk medicine
Caution:
Medicinal effects are not confirmed in modern medicine, medical use is not recommended
Other
- Use as dried flowers
- Material for pressed flower crafts
- As background plants in gardens
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No particular toxicity reported, historically used as food
Japanese Stewartia
Deciduous Camellia
Summer Camellia
Scientific Name:
Stewartia pseudocamellia
Family:
Theaceae
Flower Language
-
Lovely person
-
Fleeting beauty
-
Melancholy
Description
Japanese Stewartia is a deciduous tree native to Japan and the Korean Peninsula that produces white 5-petaled flowers resembling camellias from June to July. The flowers open in the morning and fall as whole flowers in the evening, earning it the name 'sala tree' for its fleeting beauty. The bark is smooth with beautiful mottled patterns, making it a highly ornamental tree planted in gardens and parks for year-round beauty.
Trivia
- The scientific name 'pseudocamellia' means 'resembling camellia'
- Famous from the Tale of the Heike: 'The color of the sala flowers reveals the truth that the prosperous must decline'
- The beautiful mottled bark pattern is also called 'monkey slip'
- Popular as 'Japanese Stewartia' in American gardens
Uses
Ornamental
- Symbol tree in gardens
- Parks and street trees
- Main tree in Japanese gardens
- Bonsai cultivation
Medicinal
- In folk medicine, bark was used for hemostasis and pain relief
- Believed to have anti-inflammatory effects in traditional Chinese medicine
Caution:
Medicinal effects are not confirmed in modern medicine, medical use is not recommended
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Hard wood used for decorative posts and crafts
- Decorative material utilizing beautiful bark patterns
- Also used as charcoal material
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No particular toxicity reported
Peony
Chinese Peony
Common Garden Peony
Scientific Name:
Paeonia lactiflora
Family:
Paeoniaceae
Flower Language
-
Bashfulness
-
Modesty
-
Purity
Description
Peony is a perennial herb from the Paeoniaceae family native to China and Siberia that produces large, beautiful flowers from May to June. Known as a synonym for beauty in the saying 'standing like a peony, sitting like a tree peony, walking like a lily,' it has been beloved as an ornamental plant since ancient times. The roots are important in traditional Chinese medicine and are still cultivated as medicinal plants today. Flower colors are diverse including white, pink, red, and yellow, with rich fragrance.
Trivia
- The saying 'standing like a peony, sitting like a tree peony, walking like a lily' describes feminine beauty
- The scientific name 'Paeonia' derives from Paeon, the physician god in Greek mythology
- A historic flower cultivated in China for over 2000 years
- Over 3000 varieties now exist worldwide
Uses
Ornamental
- Main ornamental plant in gardens
- High-quality cut flower material
- Central plant in flower beds
- Used in both Japanese and Western gardens
Medicinal
- Important herbal medicine as 'Bai Shao' and 'Chi Shao' in TCM
- Has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic effects
- Used for treating gynecological disorders
Caution:
Medical use should be undertaken under professional guidance
Other
- Fragrance ingredient for perfumes and cosmetics
- Essential oil extraction
- Use as natural dye
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Roots, Seeds
Symptoms:
Large consumption of roots may cause gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, and vomiting. Particularly dangerous during pregnancy
Tuberose
Night-blooming Tuberose
Polianthes
Scientific Name:
Polianthes tuberosa
Family:
Asparagaceae
Flower Language
-
Dangerous pleasure
-
Sensual
-
Queen of the night
Description
Tuberose is a bulbous plant native to Mexico that produces white 6-petaled flowers in spikes from July to September. Its greatest characteristic is the intense and sensual fragrance emitted at night, earning it the name 'Queen of the Night.' This fragrance is extremely important as a perfume ingredient and is used in luxury perfumes like Chanel No. 5. The flowers are particularly fragrant from evening to night, with almost no scent during the day.
Trivia
- One of the world's most famous fragrances used as a main component in Chanel No. 5
- About 3600 flowers are needed to obtain 1 gram of essential oil
- Night fragrance attracts nocturnal moths
- Still hand-picked in Grasse, France
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden plant for enjoying night fragrance
- High-quality cut flower material
- Star plant in fragrance gardens
- Important element in moon gardens
Medicinal
- Used for sedative and hypnotic effects in Mexican folk medicine
- Used for mental stability in Indian Ayurveda
Caution:
Medical effects are not confirmed, caution needed when using essential oils
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Most important ingredient for luxury perfumes
- Essential oil extraction (extremely expensive)
- Fragrance component in cosmetics
- Use in aromatherapy
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs, Leaves
Symptoms:
Bulb ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, but serious poisoning reports are rare