Sunflower
Common Sunflower
Annual Sunflower
Scientific Name:
Helianthus annuus
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
glory
-
adoration
-
looking only at you
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. It only follows the sun during the bud stage; after blooming, it remains facing east.
Trivia
- Became world-famous through Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' series
- NASA is researching it as a food source in space
- Mathematically beautiful flower with seed arrangements following Fibonacci sequence
- World's tallest sunflower recorded at over 9 meters high
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flower arrangements
- Summer garden decoration
- Large-scale landscape planting
Medicinal
- Seeds rich in vitamin E
- Antioxidant properties
- Cardiovascular health support
Caution:
Caution for those with nut allergies
Other
- Sunflower oil production
- Pet food
- Biofuel
- Soil improvement
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally safe and edible
Water Lily
Nymphaea
Pond Lily
Scientific Name:
Nymphaea alba
Family:
Nymphaeaceae
Flower Language
-
overly sensitive heart
-
pure heart
-
trust
-
faith
Description
Water lily is a perennial aquatic plant with about 40 species distributed in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions worldwide. It floats characteristic round leaves with notches on the water surface of ponds and lakes, producing beautiful 5-10 cm flowers above water. Most open their petals in the morning and close them in the afternoon, repeating this cycle for several days. The scientific name 'Nymphaea' comes from the water nymph, and the Japanese name 'sleeping lotus' comes from how the flowers close like sleeping in the evening.
Trivia
- Monet's 'Water Lilies' series spans over 200 paintings created throughout his lifetime
- Depicted in ancient Egyptian tombs as symbols of rebirth and resurrection
- Flowers open and close repeatedly for 3-4 days before sinking underwater
- Japanese 'hitsuji-gusa' was said to bloom at 2 PM (hour of the sheep)
Uses
Ornamental
- Ornamental for ponds and water gardens
- Water feature elements in gardens
- Aquarium decoration
Medicinal
- Rhizomes have astringent properties
- Used in traditional folk medicine
Caution:
Medicinal use should be under professional guidance
Other
- Water purification
- Ecosystem conservation
- Artistic motif
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
rhizomes of some species
Symptoms:
Some species may have mild toxicity, proper identification is important
Yellow Water Lily
Spatterdock
East Asian Yellow Water Lily
Scientific Name:
Nuphar japonica
Family:
Nymphaeaceae
Flower Language
-
hidden affection
-
sublime
-
that love is dangerous
Description
Kouhone is a perennial aquatic plant endemic to Japan in the water lily family, growing in shallow ponds and marshes from Hokkaido to Kyushu. It extends leaves from white rhizomes that creep horizontally through bottom mud, either rising above the water surface or floating on it. In summer, it produces yellow flowers 3-5 cm in diameter at the tips of long flower stalks. The name comes from the white, bumpy rhizomes underwater that resemble bones, hence 'river bone' in Japanese.
Trivia
- Name 'river bone' comes from white rhizomes underwater resembling bones
- Officially recognized as medicinal herb 'senkotsu' in Japanese Pharmacopoeia
- Precious plant designated as endangered species in some regions
- Historic flower beloved by Japanese since the Manyoshu era
Uses
Ornamental
- Japanese garden ponds
- Natural garden water features
- Biotope plantings
Medicinal
- Rhizomes used as medicinal herb 'senkotsu'
- Diuretic, blood purifying, and sedative effects
- Used for menstrual disorders and blood circulation
Caution:
Medicinal use must be under professional guidance
Culinary
Not for culinary use, medicinal only.
Other
- Wetland ecosystem conservation
- Water purification
- Wildlife habitat
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
rhizomes
Symptoms:
Improperly processed rhizomes may cause gastrointestinal disorders
Azalea
Indian Azalea
Belgian Azalea
Scientific Name:
Rhododendron simsii
Family:
Ericaceae
Flower Language
-
temperance
-
abstinence
-
joy of love
-
happy to be loved by you
Description
Azalea is a collective term for evergreen azaleas improved in Europe, centered in Belgium, in the early 19th century as indoor ornamental potted plants. They were created through complex hybridization of Taiwan azaleas with Kerama azaleas and satsuki azaleas. These shrubs grow to 1-1.5 meters tall with a natural blooming period of April-May, though greenhouse cultivation allows year-round flowering. The name comes from the Latin 'azaleos' meaning 'dry,' reflecting their preference for dry soil.
Trivia
- 'Reverse-imported' plant with Japanese azaleas improved in Belgium
- Flower language of 'temperance' comes from preference for dry soil
- Cold-sensitive due to breeding for indoor cultivation
- Sparked indoor gardening boom in 19th century Belgium
Uses
Ornamental
- Indoor potted ornamental
- Garden shrub
- Flower arrangements
Medicinal
- No particular medicinal uses
Caution:
Mild toxicity as a member of the heath family
Other
- Greenhouse horticulture
- Landscape shrub
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
leaves, flowers, bark
Symptoms:
Mild toxicity as heath family member, ingestion may cause gastrointestinal discomfort