Begonia
Wax Begonia
Bedding Begonia
Scientific Name:
Begonia semperflorens
Family:
Begoniaceae
Flower Language
-
happy days
-
precious memories
-
kindness
-
politeness
Characteristics
Colors:
red
Description
Begonia is a perennial of the Begoniaceae family, with over 2000 species distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It's a popular ornamental plant with asymmetrical heart-shaped leaves and separate male and female flowers. Known as 'four-season blooming begonia' for its year-round flowering ability, it's beloved for its rich colors and varieties.
Trivia
- Begonias cross-breed easily, now existing in over 10,000 varieties
- Extremely popular during the Victorian era in Britain
- Certified by NASA as an air-purifying houseplant
- Asymmetrical flowers and leaves retain primitive botanical characteristics
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flowers for bouquets
- Garden bedding plants
- Indoor potted decoration
Medicinal
- Traditional burn treatment
- Wound healing with leaf juice
Caution:
Contains oxalic acid, avoid large quantities
Other
- Air purification
- Pest repelling properties
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
leaves, stems
Symptoms:
Mild gastroenteritis and oral irritation from oxalic acid
Feijoa
Pineapple Guava
Guavasteen
Scientific Name:
Acca sellowiana
Family:
Myrtaceae
Flower Language
-
passionate heart
-
fruitful life
-
satisfied
Description
Feijoa is an evergreen shrub of the Myrtaceae family, a fruit tree native to South America. It blooms flowers with white petals and beautiful red stamens from May to June, and produces aromatic fruits resembling a combination of pineapple and banana from October to December. It's relatively cold-hardy and easy to cultivate, offering both ornamental and practical value.
Trivia
- Also known as 'Pineapple Guava' in Japan
- Sweet flower petals can be used in salads and desserts
- Considered the 'national fruit' of New Zealand
- Natural fruit drop indicates perfect ripeness for harvest
Uses
Ornamental
- Ornamental garden tree
- Decorative flowering display
- Symbol tree planting
Medicinal
- High vitamin C for immune support
- Antioxidant health benefits
Caution:
Generally safe fruit with no major cautions
Other
- Fragrance industry use
- Cosmetic ingredient
Ice Plant
Fig Marigold
Pigface
Scientific Name:
Lampranthus spectabilis
Family:
Aizoaceae
Flower Language
-
laziness
-
relaxed mood
-
distinguished service
-
broad-minded love
Description
Ice Plant is a succulent of the Aizoaceae family. Despite having 'chrysanthemum' in its Japanese name, it's not related to chrysanthemums. It has dense, needle-like succulent leaves resembling pine needles and blooms chrysanthemum-like flowers. The flowers open on sunny days and close at night or during cloudy, rainy weather. It's drought-resistant and popular as ground cover.
Trivia
- Introduced to Japan in the early Meiji period
- Flowers track the sun's movement throughout the day
- Some species in South Africa are known as 'edible flowers'
- Used in NASA space station cultivation experiments
Uses
Ornamental
- Ground cover applications
- Rock garden decoration
- Cut flower arrangements
Medicinal
- Traditional South African treatment for dermatitis
- Leaf juice for insect bite relief
Caution:
Patch testing recommended before use
Other
- Soil erosion prevention
- Salt-tolerant landscaping
Clematis
Virgin's Bower
Traveller's Joy
Scientific Name:
Clematis florida
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Flower Language
-
beauty of spirit
-
traveller's joy
-
ingenuity
Description
Clematis is a climbing perennial of the Ranunculaceae family, known as the 'queen of climbing plants.' With over 300 varieties worldwide, it blooms beautiful flowers from April to October. There are both single-season and four-season blooming types, with diverse flower shapes and colors, making it extremely popular among gardening enthusiasts.
Trivia
- The name 'Clematis' comes from Greek meaning 'vine' or 'branch'
- Cultivated in British royal gardens, a flower of noble heritage
- A single plant can produce hundreds of flowers annually
- Some varieties possess delightful fragrances
Uses
Ornamental
- Training on garden arches and trellises
- Cut flowers for vase arrangements
- Building decoration through wall greening
Medicinal
- Traditional Chinese medicine for arthritis
- Leaf decoction for skin conditions
Caution:
Contains toxic compounds, avoid amateur treatment
Other
- Habitat for beneficial insects
- Landscape beautification
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
leaves, stems, flowers
Symptoms:
May cause dermatitis, oral irritation, and gastrointestinal disturbances
Poppy
Corn Poppy
Flanders Poppy
Scientific Name:
Papaver rhoeas
Family:
Papaveraceae
Flower Language
-
consolation
-
gratitude
-
compassion
-
premonition of love
Characteristics
Colors:
red
Description
Poppy (Shirley poppy) is an annual of the Papaveraceae family that produces flowers with delicate, tissue-paper-like petals. Blooming from March to May, red flowers are typical, but they come in various colors including white, pink, and orange. Though the flowers last only 4-5 days, their brief beauty continues to captivate many people.
Trivia
- Famous as the first flower to bloom in WWI battlefields
- Worn as 'Remembrance Poppy' on November 11th in Britain
- World-famous through Monet's painting 'The Poppy Field'
- Seeds can survive in soil for thousands of years
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden and flower bed decoration
- Short-term enjoyment as cut flowers
- Preservation as dried flowers
Medicinal
- Traditional analgesic properties
- Petal infusion for insomnia treatment
Caution:
Some species contain toxic compounds requiring caution
Other
- Seed oil extraction
- Natural dye production
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
leaves, stems
Symptoms:
Possible mild gastrointestinal upset and skin irritation