Japanese Stewartia
Summer Camellia
Deciduous Camellia
Scientific Name:
Stewartia pseudocamellia
Family:
Theaceae
Flower Language
-
Elegance
-
Fleeting beauty
-
Loveliness
Description
Japanese Stewartia is a deciduous tree native to Japan and the Korean Peninsula, also known as Shara-no-ki. It produces pure white flowers 5-7cm in diameter in early summer, but they are day-blooming flowers that open in the morning and fall by evening. It's also known for its beautiful exfoliating bark that creates mottled patterns, making it popular as a garden tree. Unlike camellias, the leaves and flowers are not thick, and it sheds its leaves in winter.
Trivia
- Flowers are typical day-bloomers that open in the morning and completely fall by evening
- Also called 'monkey slip' because the thin bark peels to create beautiful mottled patterns
- Often planted in Japanese temples as a substitute for Buddhist sala trees
- The scientific name 'pseudocamellia' means 'false camellia'
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden trees
- Park trees
- Street trees
- Tea gardens
Medicinal
- No significant medicinal uses
Caution:
For ornamental purposes only
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Timber use (tool making)
- Bonsai
- Landscaping
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic
Mullein
Verbascum
Common Mullein
Great Mullein
Scientific Name:
Verbascum thapsus
Family:
Plantaginaceae
Flower Language
-
Adaptable attitude
-
Opening one's heart
Description
Verbascum is a plant family native to the Mediterranean coast to Central Asia, with about 300 known species. From June to October, it produces many small, delicate flowers in spikes on thick, straight stems. Flower colors include white, pink, purple, and yellow, used for ornamental purposes as well as dried flowers and herbal medicine. Also called woolly mullein because the leaves and stems are covered with white hairs.
Trivia
- In ancient times used as torch wicks, also called 'torch plant'
- Individual flowers are short-lived but numerous flowers provide long-lasting display
- White hairs on leaves and stems have a velvet-like texture
- About 300 species distributed from Mediterranean coast to Central Asia
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden borders
- Natural gardens
- Dried flowers
- Cut flowers
Medicinal
- Respiratory ailment relief
- Sedative and analgesic effects
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Cough suppression
Caution:
Medicinal use should be under expert guidance
Culinary
Generally not suitable for consumption
Other
- Herbal tea
- Natural dye
- Insect repellent
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Seeds may contain trace amounts of harmful components
Symptoms:
Safe when used properly, but avoid large quantities
Pink Evening Primrose
Rose Evening Primrose
Rosy Evening Primrose
Scientific Name:
Oenothera rosea
Family:
Onagraceae
Description
Pink Evening Primrose is a perennial herb native to North and South America, introduced to Japan as an ornamental plant during the Meiji period. Although named for evening blooming, it actually blooms during the day as a day flower. The bright pink flowers are 1-2cm in diameter with four petals, characterized by cross-shaped pistil tips. Now naturalized west of the Kanto region, commonly seen along roadsides and vacant lots.
Trivia
- Named for evening blooming but actually blooms during the day
- Flowers are very small and delicate at 1-2cm in diameter
- Cross-shaped pistil tips are characteristic of the evening primrose family
- Introduced as ornamental in Meiji period, now naturalized
Uses
Ornamental
- Wildflower gardens
- Natural gardens
- Ground cover
- Container planting
Medicinal
- No significant medicinal uses
Caution:
For ornamental purposes only
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Nature observation
- Environmental education
- Ecosystem conservation
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic
Plains Coreopsis
Calliopsis
Golden Tickseed
Garden Tickseed
Scientific Name:
Coreopsis tinctoria
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
Unchanging passionate love
-
Love at first sight
Description
Plains Coreopsis is an annual plant native to North America, introduced to Japan in the early Meiji period. It blooms from spring to early summer with long flower stalks, producing many cosmos-like flowers. Characterized by distinctive snake-eye patterns with dark red centers and yellow edges, also called snake-eye grass or peacock grass. Popular as an ornamental plant and used as cut flowers.
Trivia
- The Chinese characters mean 'Persian chrysanthemum' but it's not actually from Persia
- Beautiful snake-eye patterns give it alternative names like snake-eye grass and peacock grass
- Individual flowers are short-lived but continuous blooming provides long-lasting enjoyment
- Introduced to Japan in early Meiji period and remains a popular garden plant
Uses
Ornamental
- Flower bed planting
- Cut flowers
- Pot cultivation
- Container gardens
Medicinal
- No significant medicinal uses
Caution:
For ornamental purposes only
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Dried flowers
- Seed collection
- Nectar source for insects
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic
Pink
Dianthus
Carnation
Wild Pink
Scientific Name:
Dianthus superbus
Family:
Caryophyllaceae
Flower Language
-
Pure love
-
Chastity
-
Pure love
Description
Pink is a perennial plant native to Japan, Korean Peninsula, and China, beloved as one of the seven autumn flowers since ancient times. The scientific name Dianthus means 'flower of the gods,' characterized by finely split petal tips. It grows wild in sunny riverbanks and mountain fields, with deep red flowers evoking the modest atmosphere of 'Yamato nadeshiko.' Native species came to be called Yamato nadeshiko in contrast to the Chinese pink (kara nadeshiko) introduced from China.
Trivia
- Featured in the Manyoshu poetry collection as one of the seven autumn flowers
- Scientific name Dianthus means 'flower of the gods (Zeus + anthos)'
- Finely split petal tips are characteristic of the pink family
- Yamato nadeshiko continues to be used as a term representing the ideal Japanese woman
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden planting
- Container gardening
- Cut flowers
- Rock gardens
Medicinal
- Seeds (Kubakushi) are said to be effective for cystitis and swelling
Caution:
Medicinal use should be under expert guidance
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Fragrance
- Pressed flowers
- Literary motifs
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic