Morning Glory
Japanese Morning Glory
Common Morning Glory
Scientific Name:
Ipomoea nil
Family:
Convolvulaceae
Flower Language
-
Fleeting love
-
Affection
-
Unity
-
Ephemeral love
-
Strong bond
Description
Morning Glory is a representative flower of Japanese summer, first brought to Japan by envoys to Tang China in the late Nara period as medicinal herbs. Horticultural techniques were established during the Edo period, creating numerous varieties. It blooms early in the morning and withers by noon, and being a climbing plant, it's also used as a green curtain. The seeds are still used as a herbal medicine called Kengoushi.
Trivia
- One of the plants where breeding techniques reached the highest level during the Edo period
- Blooms before dawn and fully opens by 4 AM, then withers by noon
- Climbing plant growing up to 3-4 meters, now used as green curtains for energy conservation
- Seeds were so valuable in ancient China they were traded for cattle
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden decoration
- Green curtains
- Container gardening
- Hedging
Medicinal
- Seeds (Kengoushi) used as laxative
- Diuretic effects
- Intestinal parasite removal
Caution:
Seed use requires expert guidance
Culinary
Generally not suitable for consumption
Other
- Educational plant for schools
- Environmental conservation (greening)
- Herbal medicine material
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Seeds contain medicinal components
Symptoms:
Excessive seed consumption may cause diarrhea and abdominal pain
Passion Flower
Blue Passion Flower
Common Passion Vine
Scientific Name:
Passiflora caerulea
Family:
Passifloraceae
Flower Language
-
Hidden passion
-
Holy love
-
Faith
Description
Passion flower is a climbing plant native to Central and South America, introduced to Japan around 1730. It gets its Japanese name from petals resembling a clock face and three-divided pistils looking like clock hands. The English name 'passion flower' means 'flower of Christ's passion,' named by missionaries who saw the flower structure as symbolizing Christ's crucifixion. It produces mysteriously shaped beautiful flowers from summer to early autumn.
Trivia
- About 500 species are distributed in tropical regions of Central and South America
- Passion fruit comes from Passiflora edulis (edible passion flower)
- Named after clocks in many countries due to the clock-like flower structure
- Cultivated in many churches as a Christian symbol
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden decoration
- Greenhouse cultivation
- Arch and fence decoration
- Container gardening
Medicinal
- Some species are said to have sedative effects
- Used in folk medicine for insomnia improvement
Caution:
Ornamental varieties are not suitable for medicinal use
Culinary
- Fruits of some species (passion fruit)
Other
- Religious decoration
- Educational plant (flower structure learning)
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Some ornamental variety fruits may be toxic
Symptoms:
Eating ornamental fruits may cause abdominal pain and nausea
Silk Tree
Persian Silk Tree
Pink Silk Tree
Mimosa
Scientific Name:
Albizia julibrissin
Family:
Fabaceae
Flower Language
-
Heart fluttering
-
Reverie
-
Peace
Description
Silk tree means 'sleeping tree' and gets its name from the sleep movement where leaves close together at night. Native to regions from Iran to southern China, it also grows wild in Japan south of Honshu. It produces beautiful pink flowers in summer, characterized by long silk-like stamens. In China, it symbolizes marital harmony, which is the origin of its Chinese characters meaning 'tree of conjugal bliss.'
Trivia
- Called 'sleeping tree' because leaves close at night like sleeping
- Scientific name Albizia comes from an 18th century Italian nobleman's name
- Flower fragrance becomes stronger at night to attract nocturnal insects
- Mentioned in the Manyoshu poetry collection under the name 'nebu'
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden trees
- Street trees
- Park plantings
- Landscape trees
Medicinal
- Bark (Gokanhi) used for back pain and as sedative
- Diuretic effects
- Tonic effects
Caution:
Toxic to pets, caution required. Consult experts for medicinal use
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Landscaping
- Timber use (furniture)
- Herbal medicine material
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Bark, Leaves, Flowers, Seeds
Symptoms:
Pet ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hyperventilation, coma, and convulsions