Safflower
Carthamus
False Saffron
Scientific Name:
Carthamus tinctorius
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
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Makeup
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Adornment
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Special person
Description
Safflower is an annual herb from the Asteraceae family native to Egypt that produces thistle-like yellow to orange flowers from May to July. The flowers start yellow and change to beautiful red over time. Important as a dye and cosmetic material since ancient times, cultivation in Yamagata Prefecture is particularly famous in Japan. Today it has become globally important as a source of safflower oil extracted from seeds.
Trivia
- Cloth dyed with safflower has been found with ancient Egyptian mummies
- Yamagata Prefecture has been developed as a tourist destination called 'Village of Red'
- Sometimes called 'poor man's saffron' because it's cheaper than saffron
- Still used in high-end cosmetic lipsticks today
Uses
Ornamental
- As cut flowers
- Material for dried flowers
- Ornamental use in flower beds
- Use in wildflower gardens
Medicinal
- Used as Chinese medicine 'Hong Hua' for promoting blood circulation and improving blood stasis
- Used for treating gynecological disorders
- Important herbal medicine listed in Japanese Pharmacopoeia
Caution:
Contraindicated during pregnancy. Medical use requires professional guidance
Culinary
- Oil from seeds
- Petals (small amounts)
Other
- Natural dye for red and yellow coloring
- Cosmetic ingredient (lipstick, rouge)
- Paint pigment
- Industrial oil raw material
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Flowers (when consumed in large quantities)
Symptoms:
Large consumption may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, but safe in appropriate amounts. Contraindicated during pregnancy
Honeysuckle
Japanese Honeysuckle
Gold and Silver Flower
Scientific Name:
Lonicera japonica
Family:
Caprifoliaceae
Flower Language
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Devoted love
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Bonds of love
Description
Honeysuckle is a semi-evergreen climbing shrub native to East Asia that produces white flowers from May to July, which change to yellow over time. This color change has earned it the name 'gold and silver flower.' It has a strong sweet fragrance that becomes more intense at night. As a climber, it grows by twining around other plants and is used for greening fences and walls. It has been beloved in Japan since ancient times and has also been used as a medicinal plant.
Trivia
- The name 'honeysuckle' comes from children sucking the sweet nectar from flowers
- Stronger fragrance at night helps attract nocturnal insects
- Referenced in the ancient Japanese poetry collection Man'yōshū as 'nihoigusa'
- So prolific that cultivation is banned in some US states
Uses
Ornamental
- Greening fences and walls
- Decorating pergolas and arches
- As ground cover
- Fragrant garden plant
Medicinal
- Used as Chinese medicine 'Jin Yin Hua' for fever reduction and anti-inflammation
- Folk medicine for treating colds and sore throats
- Believed to have antibacterial and antiviral properties
Caution:
Medical use should be undertaken under professional guidance
Other
- Fragrance ingredient for perfumes and cosmetics
- Vines woven into baskets and crafts
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Berries, Leaves (when consumed in large quantities)
Symptoms:
Large consumption of berries may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, but flowers are generally safe
Balloon Vine
Love in a Puff
Heart Pea
Scientific Name:
Cardiospermum halicacabum
Family:
Sapindaceae
Flower Language
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Want to fly together
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Free spirit
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Forever with you
Description
Balloon Vine is a climbing annual herb native to tropical America that produces small white flowers from June to September, followed by balloon-like green fruits. Its greatest charm lies in the black seeds formed inside the fruits, which have white heart patterns on their surface and are called 'heart seeds.' The vines can grow 2-3 meters long and are popular as green curtains.
Trivia
- Called 'love seed' or 'heart seed' due to the heart pattern on seeds
- Fruits make a 'pop' sound when touched and burst
- Seeds float on water, spreading worldwide via ocean currents
- Called 'wind balloon cotton' in the Edo period
Uses
Ornamental
- As green curtains
- Decorating fences and trellises
- Seeds as craft materials
- For children's educational observation
Medicinal
- Used for treating arthritis in Indian traditional medicine
- Used for treating skin diseases in Africa
- Believed to have diuretic effects in folk medicine
Caution:
Medical effects are not confirmed, self-medication is dangerous
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Craft use of seeds (jewelry making)
- Educational material for nature observation
- Dried flower arrangements
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Seeds, Whole plant
Symptoms:
Ingestion of seeds or leaves may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, but serious poisoning reports are rare
White Clover
Dutch Clover
Ladino Clover
Scientific Name:
Trifolium repens
Family:
Fabaceae
Flower Language
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Promise
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Good luck
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Think of me
Description
White Clover is a perennial herb from the Fabaceae family native to Europe that produces white spherical flowers from April to October. Usually having three leaves, the rare four-leaf variety is considered a symbol of good luck. Named 'tsumekusa' (stuffing grass) because it was brought to Japan during the Edo period as packing material for Dutch imports. Now used worldwide as lawn substitute and livestock feed.
Trivia
- The chance of finding a four-leaf clover is about 1 in 10,000
- Named 'white clover' because it came to Japan as packing material for Dutch goods in the Edo period
- Legend says Napoleon found a four-leaf clover and dodged an enemy bullet immediately after
- Nectar is an important source for honey production
Uses
Ornamental
- As lawn substitute
- Ground cover plant
- Use in wildflower gardens
- Material for flower crowns
Medicinal
- Used for cough relief in European folk medicine
- Leaves used as poultices for treating wounds
- Believed to have blood purifying properties
Caution:
Medicinal effects are not confirmed in modern medicine, medical use is not recommended
Other
- Livestock feed as pasture grass
- Soil improvement as green manure
- Important nectar source for beekeeping
- Material for pressed flowers and crafts
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No particular toxicity reported, safe for consumption in appropriate amounts