Four O'Clock
Marvel of Peru
Beauty of the Night
Scientific Name:
Mirabilis jalapa
Family:
Nyctaginaceae
Flower Language
-
Shyness
-
Timidity
-
Doubting love
Description
Four O'Clock is a perennial plant native to Central and South America, introduced to Japan in the early Edo period. It's a day-blooming flower that opens from evening to the next morning, with no petals - the colorful parts are sepals. Color variations are abundant, from single colors like red, pink, yellow, and white to mixed two-color varieties. When seeds are cracked open, white powder emerges, which was compared to face powder (oshiroi), giving the plant its Japanese name.
Trivia
- Called 'Four O'Clock' in English because it starts blooming around 4 PM
- The colorful parts that appear to be petals are actually sepals - there are no true petals
- When seeds are cracked, white powder emerges, which children once used for face powder play
- The same plant can produce flowers of different colors
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden planting
- Container gardening
- Evening garden decoration
- Hedging
Medicinal
- Roots contain medicinal components but also toxins, so use should be avoided
Caution:
Dangerous for medicinal use due to toxicity
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Children's play material (white seed powder)
- Night garden decoration
- Insect observation
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Roots, Seeds, Whole plant
Symptoms:
Ingestion may cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea
Morning Glory
Japanese Morning Glory
Common Morning Glory
Scientific Name:
Ipomoea nil
Family:
Convolvulaceae
Flower Language
-
Great friendship
-
Affection
-
Unity
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. An essential half-day flower of summer Japan, beloved since the Heian period.
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
Peony
Chinese Peony
Common Garden Peony
Scientific Name:
Paeonia lactiflora
Family:
Paeoniaceae
Flower Language
-
Modesty
-
Bashfulness
-
Happy marriage
-
Sincerity
Description
Peony is a perennial herb native to northern China, Siberia, and Mongolia, blooming beautiful flowers from May to June. It's beloved as a flower expressing women's beauty in the phrase 'standing like a peony, sitting like a tree peony, walking like a lily.' It has the characteristic of closing flowers in the evening, which is the origin of the flower language 'bashfulness.' The roots are used medicinally with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antibacterial properties.
Trivia
- While tree peonies are woody, herbaceous peonies are herbaceous plants
- Has the characteristic of closing petals in the evening
- The phrase about standing, sitting, and walking is a classic expression of feminine beauty
- Roots are still used as herbal medicine called 'shakuyaku'
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden planting
- Cut flowers
- Container gardening
- Flower beds
Medicinal
- Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects from roots
- Antibacterial and hemostatic effects
- Blood purification and antispasmodic effects
- Treatment of gynecological disorders
Caution:
Medicinal use should be under expert guidance
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Fragrance
- Cosmetic ingredients
- Herbal medicine material
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Roots contain medicinal components requiring proper dosage
Symptoms:
Safe when used properly, but avoid excessive intake
Evening Primrose
Common Evening Primrose
Large-flowered Evening Primrose
Scientific Name:
Oenothera erythrosepala
Family:
Onagraceae
Flower Language
-
Unconfessed love
-
Silent love
-
Free heart
Description
Large-flowered Evening Primrose is believed to be a hybrid bred between North America and Europe, introduced to Japan around 1870 for ornamental purposes. The bright yellow flowers, 7-10cm in diameter, bloom from evening to the next morning, characterized by four heart-shaped petals. Known as the model flower for the song 'Yoimachigusa' written by Takehisa Yumeji, a representative artist and poet of Taisho romanticism, it's the origin of flower language expressing painful love.
Trivia
- Became famous through Takehisa Yumeji's song 'Yoimachigusa'
- Nocturnal flowers that bloom from evening to next morning
- Characterized by four heart-shaped petals
- Introduced to Japan around 1870, now a naturalized plant
Uses
Ornamental
- Night garden decoration
- Moon-viewing gardens
- Wildflower gardens
- Natural gardens
Medicinal
- Seed oil said to be beneficial for women's health
- Leaves said to have anti-inflammatory properties
Caution:
Consult experts for medicinal use
Culinary
- Young leaves
- Flowers
- Roots
Other
- Seed oil extraction
- Literary motifs
- Nectar source for nocturnal insects
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic
Trillium
Large-flowered Trillium
White Trillium
Scientific Name:
Trillium grandiflorum
Family:
Melanthiaceae
Description
Trillium is a perennial plant distributed from East Asia to the Himalayas, growing wild throughout Japan from Hokkaido to Kyushu. A single stem 20-50cm tall bears three leaves in a whorl at the tip, with flowers blooming from the center. The scientific name Trillium means 'three,' referring to flowers, leaves, and other parts consisting of three elements. Also called 'Lady of the Forest' or 'Spring Fairy,' it creates an impressive sight blooming quietly and beautifully in moist forests and woods.
Trivia
- Scientific name Trillium means 'three,' with all parts composed in multiples of three
- Representative plant of spring ephemerals ('Spring Fairies')
- Has the beautiful alternative name 'Lady of the Forest'
- Rhizomes contain toxic saponin components
Uses
Ornamental
- Wildflower gardens
- Shade gardens
- Wildflower exhibitions
- Nature observation
Medicinal
- Rhizomes used as medicinal herbs (professional use only)
- Traditionally used as gastrointestinal medicine and emetic
Caution:
Dangerous for amateur use due to toxic components like saponins
Culinary
- Young shoots (requires thorough processing)
Other
- Symbol of nature conservation
- Environmental education
- Ecosystem indicator plant
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Rhizomes, Roots
Symptoms:
May cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other poisoning symptoms due to saponins