Chinese Lantern
Winter Cherry
Bladder Cherry
Ground Cherry
Scientific Name:
Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii
Family:
Solanaceae
Flower Language
-
Smile
-
Deception
-
Trickery
-
Peace of mind
Description
Chinese Lantern is a perennial herb native to East Asia that produces small, pale cream flowers in May-June, followed by beautiful vermillion lantern-like calyxes that develop in August. The flower language of 'deception' and 'trickery' comes from the large calyx being hollow with only small seeds inside. In Japan, it has long been beloved as a Buddhist altar flower for Obon, and the Hozuki market at Senso-ji Temple is famous as a summer tradition. Children traditionally play with the fruits to make sounds, making it deeply rooted in Japanese summer culture.
Trivia
- The scientific name Physalis derives from Greek meaning 'bubble'
- The Hozuki market at Senso-ji Temple is a traditional event continuing since the Edo period
- Children traditionally play by removing the contents and making sounds with the empty calyx
- The flower language of 'deception' comes from the large calyx being hollow with only small seeds inside
Uses
Ornamental
- Buddhist altar flowers
- Cut flowers
- Dried flowers
- Ornamental garden planting
Medicinal
- Used in folk medicine during the Edo period for cough relief and fever reduction
Caution:
Medicinal use is not recommended as the entire plant contains toxic compounds
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption due to toxicity
Other
- Children's toy (making sounds with fruits)
- Cultural symbols
- Seasonal decoration
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Entire plant, Especially rhizomes
Symptoms:
Contains compounds that cause uterine contractions, dangerous during pregnancy. While having cough and fever relief properties, avoid use without expert knowledge
Orange Lily
Elegant Lily
Rock Lily
Beach Lily
Scientific Name:
Lilium maculatum
Family:
Liliaceae
Flower Language
-
Falsehood
-
Being in the spotlight
-
Unadorned beauty
-
Mystical beauty
Description
Orange Lily is a perennial native to Japan in the lily family, named for the gaps between petals that allow one to see through. It grows wild on coastal rocky areas and sandy soils, blooming upward in colors of orange, white, yellow, red, and pink from June to August. Characterized by lack of fragrance, it unusually blooms upward unlike most lilies that bloom downward, earning the flower language of 'being in the spotlight.' Long cultivated for ornamental purposes and plays an important role as a parent for hybridization.
Trivia
- Named 'transparent lily' for gaps between petals allowing one to see through
- Easy to handle as cut flowers due to lack of fragrance
- New species discovered for the first time in 110 years by Osaka Metropolitan University research
- A beautiful lily endemic to Japan adapted to harsh coastal environments
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flowers
- Flower bed planting
- Container gardening
- Rock gardens
Medicinal
- No significant medicinal uses
Caution:
For ornamental purposes only
Other
- Parent species for horticultural breeding
- Coastal revegetation
- Symbol of nature conservation
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Leaves and stems may contain trace amounts of alkaloids
Symptoms:
Properly processed bulbs are edible, but avoid consuming other parts
Laurustinus
Laurustine
Evergreen Viburnum
Scientific Name:
Viburnum tinus
Family:
Caprifoliaceae
Flower Language
-
Playfulness
-
Look at me
-
Vow
Description
Laurustinus is an evergreen shrub native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region, growing 2-3m tall. It produces pink buds and white clustered flowers resembling hydrangeas with sweet fragrance in March-April. From August to November, it bears glossy dark purple berries similar to blueberries. Used as hedging and screening due to its evergreen nature, often used in wedding bouquets which gave rise to the flower language of 'vow.'
Trivia
- Flowers have sweet fragrance and beautiful hydrangea-like appearance
- Berries resemble blueberries but are not suitable for consumption
- Maintains beautiful green foliage year-round as an evergreen
- The flower language of 'vow' originated from common use in wedding bouquets
Uses
Ornamental
- Hedging
- Specimen trees
- Cut flowers
- Wedding bouquets
- Floral arrangements
Medicinal
- No significant medicinal uses
Caution:
For ornamental purposes only
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Privacy screening
- Windbreak
- Urban landscaping
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic but berries are not suitable for consumption
Rose Moss
Portulaca
Moss Rose
Sun Plant
Scientific Name:
Portulaca grandiflora
Family:
Portulacaceae
Flower Language
-
Endurance
-
Innocence
-
Lovely
Description
Rose Moss is an annual native to Brazil and Argentina in the purslane family, named for its pine needle-like leaves and peony-like beautiful flowers. With succulent leaves, it's extremely resistant to heat and drought, blooming vibrantly even in midsummer. Flowers are day-bloomers that open on sunny days and close by midday. Flower colors are diverse including red, pink, yellow, orange, white, and multicolored, with various forms from single to fully double flowers.
Trivia
- Alternative name 'nail-cutting grass' comes from easy propagation by cutting stems with fingernails
- Called 'Eleven o'clock' in English, referring to morning opening and midday closing
- In feng shui, has 'fire' properties and is believed to enhance creativity
- Succulent leaves store water, allowing survival in extreme drought
Uses
Ornamental
- Flower beds
- Containers
- Ground cover
- Rock gardens
- Rooftop gardens
Medicinal
- No significant medicinal uses
Caution:
For ornamental purposes only
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Dry land revegetation
- Educational plant
- Seed collection
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic
Geranium
Pelargonium
Zonal Geranium
Common Geranium
Scientific Name:
Pelargonium × hortorum
Family:
Geraniaceae
Flower Language
-
True friendship
-
Trust
-
Respect
-
Determination
-
Happy with you
Description
Geranium is a perennial native to Cape Province, South Africa, introduced to Europe in the 17th-18th centuries and to Japan in the late Edo period. Spherical flower clusters can be enjoyed for long periods from March to December in colors of red, pink, white, purple, yellow, and more. Leaves have distinctive fragrance, and scented geraniums are used as herbs. With insect-repelling properties, they are typical garden plants commonly grown on windowsills and balconies in Europe.
Trivia
- Still called 'geranium' from its former classification in Geranium genus before being reclassified to Pelargonium
- National flower of Hungary and essential to European streetscapes
- Over 280 varieties of scented geraniums are said to exist
- Some varieties contain citronellal, which has insect-repelling properties
Uses
Ornamental
- Container gardening
- Flower bed planting
- Hanging baskets
- Balcony gardens
- Window boxes
Medicinal
- Scented geranium essential oil used in aromatherapy for sebum balance and anxiety relief
Caution:
Essential oil use requires expert knowledge
Culinary
- Scented geranium leaves (edible varieties only)
Other
- Insect repellent
- Herbal uses
- Fragrance materials
- Aromatherapy
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Varies by variety, with some cultivars having mild toxicity
Symptoms:
Avoid consumption except for edible varieties, and keep away from pets
Wild Geranium
Cranesbill
Hardy Geranium
True Geranium
Scientific Name:
Geranium thunbergii
Family:
Geraniaceae
Flower Language
-
Unchanging trust
-
Cheerfulness
Description
Wild Geranium is a perennial distributed from temperate to mountainous regions across Eurasia and North America, with over 420 species confirmed. Blooming gracefully as if swaying in the wind from spring to early summer, they have graceful charm with flower colors in various shades of pink, white, and purple. The Japanese native Gennoshoko is known as a medicinal herb called 'actual proof' for its excellent therapeutic effects. While cold-hardy, it has weak heat tolerance and is suitable for natural gardens as a mountain wildflower.
Trivia
- Geranium genus is large with over 420 confirmed species
- Gennoshoko means 'actual proof,' representing the reliability of its medicinal effects
- English name Cranesbill derives from fruit shape resembling a crane's bill
- Prefers partial shade and is important for natural garden creation
Uses
Ornamental
- Natural gardens
- Wildflower gardens
- Rock gardens
- Shade gardens
- Ground cover
Medicinal
- Gennoshoko is a representative medicinal herb known for anti-diarrheal and intestinal regulation effects
Caution:
Medicinal use requires expert knowledge
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Nature observation
- Educational plants
- Ecosystem conservation
- Pressed flowers
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic, but medicinal use requires expert knowledge