Rose
Garden Rose Hybrid Tea Rose

Scientific Name: Rosa × hybrida
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • Impression
  • Elegance
  • Gratitude
  • Love
  • Beauty

Characteristics

Colors: Pink

Description

Roses have been beloved as the queen of flowers and symbols of beauty and love since ancient times. There is an anecdote that Cleopatra invited Caesar on a carpet of rose petals, and roses are mentioned in the Man'yōshū under the name 'Umara'. Today, they are widely used for fragrance, medicine, and food, and are cultivated worldwide as the queen of gardens.

Trivia

  • Cleopatra is said to have welcomed Caesar in a room carpeted with rose petals
  • Roses are classified into Old Roses and Modern Roses, divided by the 1867 variety 'La France'
  • Roses need about 1,000 degree-days of accumulated average temperature to bloom
  • In Europe, the Latin 'rosa' became the origin of the word for pink color

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used as cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
  • Planted as the main feature in gardens and landscaping
  • Grown in pots for indoor and outdoor ornamental purposes
Medicinal
  • Rose hips are rich in vitamin C and used as health food
  • Petals have antioxidant properties and are expected to have beauty effects
  • Chinese medicinal roses (Maikaikai) are used in traditional Chinese medicine

Caution: When using for medicinal purposes, consultation with experts is recommended.

Culinary
  • Petals (organically grown)
  • Rose hips (fruits)
Other
  • Used as raw material for perfumes and cosmetics
  • Production of rose oil and rose water
  • Mental stabilization effects in aromatherapy

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Immature fruits (green hips)

Symptoms: Generally low toxicity, but consumption of immature fruits should be avoided.

Corncockle
Common Corncockle Corn Rose

Scientific Name: Agrostemma githago
Family: Caryophyllaceae

Flower Language

  • Swaying feelings
  • Good breeding
  • Love of nature
  • Simple beauty

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Agrostemma is an annual plant native to the Mediterranean coast and western Asia, known for being hardy enough to be considered a wheat field weed. It blooms lovely pink and white flowers from May to June, reaching about 90 cm in height. Its simple and natural beauty makes it indispensable for natural gardens.

Trivia

  • The genus name Agrostemma derives from Greek meaning 'crown of the field'
  • Known in Europe as a hardy weed of wheat fields
  • When sown in autumn, it grows to about 1 meter tall by the following spring
  • Produces beautiful 5-petaled flowers 6-7 cm in diameter

Uses

Ornamental
  • Used as cut flowers for natural-style arrangements
  • Planted in natural gardens and wildflower-style gardens
  • Used for dried flower arrangements
Medicinal
  • Historical use in European folk medicine for minor applications

Caution: Seeds are toxic, so medicinal use is not recommended.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption.

Other
  • Contributes to ecosystems as food for wildlife
  • Important as a nectar source for insects

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Seeds, Whole plant (especially seeds)

Symptoms: Seeds contain saponins, which can cause digestive system disorders if ingested.

Poppy
Corn Poppy Field Poppy Shirley Poppy

Scientific Name: Papaver rhoeas
Family: Papaveraceae

Flower Language

  • Fantasy
  • Dreamer
  • Comfort
  • Compassion
  • Premonition of love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Poppy (Corn Poppy) is an annual plant native to central Europe, also known as 'Shirley Poppy'. From April to June, it produces beautiful flowers with thin, wrinkled petals. The buds are initially downward-facing and covered with hair, dramatically lifting their heads when blooming. Flower colors include red, white, pink, and multicolored varieties, with plant height ranging from 50 cm to 1 meter.

Trivia

  • The genus name Papaver derives from Latin meaning 'porridge', named for its hypnotic properties
  • Petals are characteristically very thin and wrinkled
  • Buds have a unique blooming pattern of being downward-facing then lifting up when opening
  • Red poppies began being used in Britain to commemorate WWI casualties

Uses

Ornamental
  • Ornamental planting in flower beds and gardens
  • Used as cut flowers for short-term arrangements
  • Mass planting in wildflower gardens
Medicinal
  • Used in European folk medicine for its sedative properties
  • Petals are said to have mild sedative effects

Caution: Medicinal use is not currently recommended. Do not use without expert guidance.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption.

Other
  • Poppy seed oil is extracted (from edible varieties)
  • Contributes to ecosystems as wildlife food
  • Used as symbols for remembrance and commemoration

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Seeds, Sap from stems and leaves

Symptoms: May cause mild skin irritation or digestive system disorders.

Ice Plant
Fig Marigold Trailing Ice Plant Lampranthus

Scientific Name: Lampranthus spectabilis
Family: Aizoaceae

Flower Language

  • Idleness
  • Distinguished service
  • Generous love
  • Patience

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Ice Plant is a succulent from South Africa that produces pine needle-like succulent leaves and beautiful glossy flowers resembling chrysanthemums. It characteristically opens its flowers only during sunny daytime hours, closing them at night or on cloudy days. It's hardy against cold and drought, popular as ground cover. Flower colors include red, pink, purple, white, and yellow.

Trivia

  • Opens flowers only during sunny daytime, closing at night or on cloudy days
  • Petals have a glossy appearance, shining like medals
  • Succulent leaves store water, making them drought-resistant
  • Name derives from pine needle-like leaves and chrysanthemum-like flowers

Uses

Ornamental
  • Planting in rock gardens
  • Use as ground cover
  • Material for container and mixed plantings
  • Also used for roof and wall greening
Medicinal
  • Historical use in South African traditional medicine for minor skin issues

Caution: Scientific evidence for modern medicinal use is insufficient.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption.

Other
  • Effective for soil erosion prevention
  • Noted as environmentally friendly rooftop greening material
  • Contributes to insects as a nectar source

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally considered non-toxic, but large consumption should be avoided.

Opium Poppy
Breadseed Poppy Common Poppy

Scientific Name: Papaver somniferum
Family: Papaveraceae

Flower Language

  • Oblivion
  • Comfort
  • Sleep
  • Peace

Characteristics

Colors: White

Description

Opium Poppy is an annual plant native to western Asia that blooms large white flowers about 10 cm in diameter from May to June. It grows 100-150 cm tall with an overall pale bluish-green appearance. Historically used medicinally, cultivation is now legally prohibited in Japan. The white flowers have 4 petals and are very beautiful in appearance.

Trivia

  • Strictly prohibited for cultivation under Japan's Opium Law
  • Flowers are very large and beautiful, 8-12 cm in diameter
  • Overall pale bluish-green appearance with almost no hair
  • Historically positioned as an important medicinal plant

Uses

Ornamental
  • Ornamental use prohibited in Japan due to cultivation ban
Medicinal
  • Historically used medicinally as a source of opium
  • Currently used as medical narcotics under strict control

Caution: Both cultivation and use are strictly regulated by law in Japan.

Culinary

Prohibited for use in Japan.

Other
  • Seeds used as poppy seeds for food in some countries (regulated in Japan)
  • Limited use in medical research

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Severe

Toxic Parts: Latex (whole plant), All parts except seeds

Symptoms: Contains alkaloids such as morphine, which can cause poisoning symptoms and addiction.