Leopard Flower
Blackberry Lily
Scientific Name:
Iris domestica
Family:
Iridaceae
Flower Language
-
quiet love
-
sincerity
-
individual beauty
Characteristics
Colors:
orange with red spots
Description
A perennial herb distributed in Japan, China, and India that blooms from July to August with 6 large orange petals marked with deep orange spots. The flowers are ephemeral, opening in the morning and closing at night, but bloom continuously. The name comes from the fan-shaped leaves that resemble the folding fans (hiogi) used by court nobles. The plant produces black seeds after flowering, which have been used in traditional Japanese poetry as 'ubatama'.
Trivia
- Previously classified in genus Belamcanda but moved to Iris based on DNA analysis
- The seeds 'ubatama' appear in ancient Japanese poetry collections
- Flowers are typical day-bloomers, opening in morning and closing in evening
- Black seeds are very popular in floral arrangements
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden plant
- Cut flower
- Tea ceremony flower
Medicinal
- Rhizomes sometimes used in traditional Chinese medicine
Caution:
Should not be used medicinally without expert knowledge
Other
- Seeds sometimes used as dye
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Rhizomes
Symptoms:
Large quantities may cause gastrointestinal upset
Hosta
Plantain Lily
Funkia
Scientific Name:
Hosta spp.
Family:
Asparagaceae
Flower Language
-
calm and composed attitude
-
composure
-
tranquility
Characteristics
Colors:
white to purple
Description
A perennial native to East Asia that blooms white or purple flowers from June to September. In Japan, it's also called 'Urui' and the young shoots and leaves are eaten as mountain vegetables. It tolerates shade well and has been beloved as a garden plant for its thick, beautiful leaves and elegant flowers. The flowers are ephemeral, blooming from bottom to top, allowing enjoyment for several days.
Trivia
- Called by various regional names like 'Urui', 'Ginbo', and 'Takina'
- Flowers are day-bloomers, opening in morning and wilting by evening
- Very popular in Western horticulture under the name 'Hosta'
- About 20 wild species are known from Japan
Uses
Ornamental
- Shade garden plant
- Cut flower
- Container plant
Medicinal
- Some species' rhizomes used in folk medicine
Caution:
Care needed to avoid confusion with toxic plants like Veratrum
Culinary
- Young shoots
- Young leaves
Other
- Leaves sometimes used for food wrapping
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Edible parts are safe, but care needed to avoid confusion with toxic plants
Glossy Abelia
Abelia
Scientific Name:
Abelia × grandiflora
Family:
Caprifoliaceae
Flower Language
-
good fortune
-
modesty
-
elegance
Characteristics
Colors:
white to pale pink
Description
A horticultural hybrid of two Chinese species that blooms from mid-May to October with fragrant, bell-shaped white or pale pink flowers. Due to its tolerance to exhaust fumes and hardy nature, it's widely used in parks, roadside plantings, and hedges. It came to Japan in the late Taisho period and spread nationwide during the greening boom after the Tokyo Olympics.
Trivia
- Spread rapidly nationwide during Japan's greening boom after the Tokyo Olympics
- Valued for urban greening due to exhaust gas tolerance
- Extremely long flowering period of about 5 months
- Created at Roveri Nursery in Italy with historical significance
Uses
Ornamental
- Park plantings
- Hedges
- Garden shrub
Medicinal
Caution:
Not commonly used for medicinal purposes
Other
- Attracts bees and butterflies as a nectar source
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No particular toxicity reported
Gardenia
Cape Jasmine
Common Gardenia
Scientific Name:
Gardenia jasminoides
Family:
Rubiaceae
Flower Language
-
elegance
-
transport of joy
-
bringing happiness
-
purity
-
secret love
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
An evergreen shrub distributed from western Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan to China, Taiwan, and Indochina, blooming with 5-8cm white flowers during the June-July rainy season. It has a strong jasmine-like fragrance and is called one of the 'three most fragrant trees' along with Daphne and Osmanthus. The flowers start white but gradually turn yellowish. In autumn, it produces red-yellow fruits that have been used as natural dye since ancient times.
Trivia
- Beloved as one of Japan's three most fragrant trees
- Named 'kuchinashi' because the fruit doesn't open
- Available in both single and double-flowered varieties
- Yellow rice (kiihan) is used in traditional Japanese regional cuisine
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden shrub
- Container plant
- Tea ceremony flower
Medicinal
- Fruits used in traditional Chinese medicine
- Believed to have hemostatic and sedative effects
Caution:
Should not be used medicinally without expert knowledge
Culinary
- Flowers (excluding calyx)
- Fruits (as natural dye)
Other
- Natural yellow dye
- Fragrance source
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Fruits (when consumed in large quantities)
Symptoms:
Large quantities may cause gastrointestinal upset
Currant
Red Currant
Ribes
Scientific Name:
Ribes rubrum
Family:
Grossulariaceae
Flower Language
-
rarity
-
novelty
-
expectation
-
true happiness
Characteristics
Colors:
pale yellow to white-green
Description
A deciduous shrub native to Europe that blooms small pale yellow flowers in April-May and produces garnet-like red translucent berries in June-July. Growing 1-1.5m tall, the flowers are modest and almost unnoticeable, hanging from leaf axils. The highly acidic fruits are not suitable for fresh eating but are processed into jams, jellies, and fruit wines. It's self-pollinating, so one plant can produce fruit.
Trivia
- Red currant berries are so beautiful they're compared to garnet gems
- Self-pollinating, so one plant can produce fruit alone
- Long treasured in Europe as jam ingredient
- Flowers are so modest they often go unnoticed
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden shrub
- Orchard plant
- Ornamental fruit tree
Medicinal
- Fruits rich in vitamin C
- Sometimes used in folk medicine for cold prevention
Caution:
No particular cautions, but avoid excessive consumption due to high acidity
Other
- Natural coloring agent
- Flavoring
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No toxicity, but avoid excessive consumption due to high acidity