Okra
Lady's Finger
Gumbo
Scientific Name:
Abelmoschus esculentus
Family:
Malvaceae
Flower Language
-
first love
-
wasting away with love
Description
Okra is an annual plant of the mallow family from northeastern Africa, with young fruits used as vegetables. The flowers are large and beautiful lemon-yellow with dark wine-red centers. Being in the same mallow family as hibiscus and rose of Sharon, the flowers have similar shapes and are surprisingly beautiful for a vegetable plant, blooming as one-day flowers. It prefers high temperatures and sunlight, with an optimal growing temperature of 20-30°C.
Trivia
- Known as a vegetable but has surprisingly beautiful hibiscus-like flowers
- One-day flowers that open in the morning and close by evening
- Related to hibiscus, rose of Sharon, and cotton as members of the mallow family
- Ancient vegetable already cultivated in ancient Egypt
Uses
Ornamental
- Dual-purpose ornamental in home gardens
- Edible flower gardens
- Summer garden decoration
Medicinal
- Rich in dietary fiber in fruits
- Intestinal regulation
- Blood sugar elevation suppression
Caution:
Flowers are non-toxic but avoid excessive consumption
Culinary
- young fruits
- flowers (as edible flowers)
Other
- Can be used for fiber extraction
- As companion plants
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally safe and edible
Mountain Laurel
Kalmia
American Laurel
Scientific Name:
Kalmia latifolia
Family:
Ericaceae
Flower Language
-
mysterious memories
-
graceful woman
-
great hope
-
betrayal
Description
Kalmia is an evergreen shrub of the heath family from North America, named after Swedish botanist Pehr Kalm. Its most distinctive feature is how the cute buds resembling konpeito candy or Apollo chocolate transform completely when they open into pentagonal dish-shaped flowers. The stamens are tucked into petal pockets and spring out when stimulated by insects, scattering pollen in an interesting mechanism. However, despite their beautiful appearance, the leaves contain grayanotoxin, a toxic compound.
Trivia
- Rare flower with completely different impressions between konpeito-like buds and open blooms
- Has an interesting mechanism where stamens spring out when stimulated by insects
- Flower language of 'betrayal' comes from toxicity despite beautiful appearance
- Some species called 'Lambkill' because sheep are easily poisoned
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden shrub
- Main attraction in spring flower beds
- Potted ornamental plant
Medicinal
- Medicinal use is dangerous due to toxicity
Caution:
Absolutely avoid ingestion due to grayanotoxin content
Culinary
Not edible due to toxicity.
Other
- Landscape shrub for gardens
- Bird shelter in natural gardens
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
leaves, flowers, branches
Symptoms:
Grayanotoxin poisoning symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, irregular heartbeat
Sunflower
Common Sunflower
Annual Sunflower
Scientific Name:
Helianthus annuus
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
I look only at you
-
adoration
-
false love
-
nobility
Characteristics
Colors:
large flower
Description
Sunflower is an annual plant of the aster family from North America, with the scientific name 'Helianthus' meaning 'sun flower' in Greek. It grows up to 3 meters tall and produces large yellow flowers from summer to autumn. The flower is actually a composite of many small flowers called a head, with yellow ray flowers on the outside and darker disc flowers inside. The seeds are used for food and oil production and were already an important crop for Native Americans before the Common Era.
Trivia
- Scientific name 'Helianthus' means 'sun flower' in Greek
- Actually only follows the sun during bud stage, faces east after blooming
- What appears as one flower is actually hundreds to thousands of small flowers
- Became world-famous through Van Gogh's masterpiece 'Sunflowers'
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flower arrangements
- Summer garden decoration
- Landscape plant
Medicinal
- Seeds rich in vitamin E
- Antioxidant properties
Caution:
Caution for those with allergies
Other
- Sunflower oil production
- Pet food
- Biofuel
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally safe and edible
Anthurium
Flamingo Flower
Tail Flower
Scientific Name:
Anthurium andreanum
Family:
Araceae
Flower Language
-
passion
-
heart burning with love
-
impressive
Characteristics
Colors:
red
Description
Anthurium is a tropical American aroid with over 600 species. The heart-shaped part often mistaken for a flower is actually a modified leaf called a 'spathe,' while the central spike is the actual flower cluster called a 'spadix.' It prefers warm environments of 18-30°C and can be grown indoors year-round in filtered light behind lace curtains, avoiding direct sunlight.
Trivia
- What appears to be the flower is actually a modified leaf called a 'spathe'
- Over 600 varieties exist with colors including red, white, pink, and green
- Japanese name 'large red fan' comes from the heart shape resembling a fan
- Excellent longevity as cut flowers, lasting 1-2 weeks
Uses
Ornamental
- Indoor houseplant
- Cut flower arrangements
- Bridal decorations
Medicinal
- No particular medicinal uses
Caution:
Mild toxicity as a member of the aroid family
Other
- Flower arrangements
- Interior plants
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
entire plant
Symptoms:
As an aroid, may cause mouth irritation and swelling
Pomegranate
Granatum
Punic Apple
Scientific Name:
Punica granatum
Family:
Lythraceae
Flower Language
-
mature elegance
-
protection of offspring
-
unity
Description
Pomegranate is a deciduous small tree from the Mediterranean to Himalaya, producing 6-petaled flowers with thick orange sepals revealing bright red-orange petals in early summer. After flowering, it produces reddish-brown fruits 5-10 cm in diameter that split when ripe to reveal numerous red seeds inside. Due to the abundance of seeds, it's considered a symbol of fertility and is beloved worldwide as a symbol of having children.
Trivia
- The Chinese idiom 'single red dot' originated from pomegranate flowers
- One fruit contains 300-600 seeds
- The underworld fruit eaten by Persephone in Greek mythology
- Historic fruit tree cultivated in Japan since the Heian period
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden tree
- Ornamental flowering
- Bonsai cultivation
Medicinal
- Fruit has antioxidant properties
- Bark used as vermifuge
Caution:
Medicinal use of bark should be under professional guidance
Culinary
- seeds (arils)
- fruit juice
Other
- Natural dye
- Leather tanning agent
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
roots, bark
Symptoms:
Roots and bark contain alkaloids that can cause poisoning if consumed in large quantities