Toad Lily
Japanese Toad Lily
Spotted Toad Lily
Scientific Name:
Tricyrtis hirta
Family:
Liliaceae
Flower Language
-
Forever yours
-
Hidden will
-
Expertise
Description
Toad Lily is a perennial plant native to Japan that blooms white flowers with purple spots facing upward from late August to October. It's named after the spotted pattern resembling that of a cuckoo bird's chest. It prefers semi-shaded, slightly moist environments and has been cherished as a tea ceremony flower for centuries.
Trivia
- Also known as 'oil spot grass' due to its spotted pattern
- Mountain Toad Lily has the flower language meaning 'lovely'
- Kii Jorou Toad Lily is protected as an endangered species
- Has been cultivated as a garden plant since the Edo period
Uses
Ornamental
- Used as tea ceremony flowers
- Planted in shade gardens
- Cultivated in pots as wildflowers
Medicinal
- Sometimes used in folk medicine
Caution:
Requires expert knowledge for medicinal use
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Horticultural ornamental use
- Flower arrangement material
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No toxicity reported
Lycoris
Spider Lily
Hurricane Lily
Red Spider Lily
Scientific Name:
Lycoris radiata
Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Flower Language
-
Passion
-
Reunion
-
Looking forward to meeting again
-
Deep compassion
-
I will do anything for you
-
Close
Description
Lycoris is a bulbous plant that brightens flower beds from summer to early autumn, sending up stems from the ground to bloom beautiful firework-like flowers. The flower colors are very diverse including red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, and white. The red spider lily is particularly beloved as an autumn seasonal feature. It's called 'leaves unseen, flowers unseen' because flowers and leaves cannot be seen simultaneously.
Trivia
- Has a mysterious ecology where bulbs, leaves, and flowers grow in different seasons
- Korean legend tells of lovers who can never meet eternally
- Planted on rice field ridges to repel moles and mice
- Historically consumed after detoxification during famines
Uses
Ornamental
- Autumn garden decoration
- Used as cut flowers
- Planted as bulbs in gardens
Medicinal
- Used in traditional folk medicine
- Bulbs contain medicinal compounds
Caution:
The entire plant is toxic and should not be used without expert knowledge
Culinary
Not edible due to toxicity
Other
- Historically used to extract starch from bulbs
- Sometimes used for pest control
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs, Entire plant
Symptoms:
May cause poisoning symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing difficulties
Ageratum
Floss Flower
Blue Mink
Mexican Ageratum
Scientific Name:
Ageratum houstonianum
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
Trust
-
Comfort
-
Eternal beauty
Description
Ageratum is an annual plant native to Central America, characterized by its charming fluffy, soft-textured flowers. It blooms cute pompom-like flowers 1-2cm in diameter in clusters, mainly in blue and purple, with pink and white varieties also available. Its flower language of 'trust' comes from its ability to bloom for long periods without fading.
Trivia
- Japanese name comes from its resemblance to the scent of Pogostemon herb
- Has naturalized and become a wild plant in Okinawa
- Available in various heights from dwarf to tall varieties
- Has a very long blooming period from May to October
Uses
Ornamental
- Border planting in flower beds
- Container gardening
- Used as cut flowers
Medicinal
- Sometimes used in folk medicine
Caution:
Requires expert knowledge for medicinal use
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Horticultural ornamental use
- Used as landscape plants
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Leaves, Stems
Symptoms:
May cause mild skin irritation on contact
Thistle
Japanese Thistle
Bull Thistle
Scientific Name:
Cirsium japonicum
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
Independence
-
Strictness
-
Don't touch
Description
Thistle is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family that grows wild in mountains and fields throughout Japan. Its deeply lobed leaves have sharp spines, and it blooms beautiful purple flowers 4-5cm in diameter from May to August. Its dignified appearance has earned it the flower language of 'independence.' It's cherished as Scotland's national flower, and its roots are used as food called 'mountain burdock.'
Trivia
- Used on Scottish coins and coats of arms as the national flower
- About 60 species of thistle grow wild in Japan
- Cotton-like seeds are dispersed by wind after flowering
- American bull thistle is designated as an invasive alien species
Uses
Ornamental
- Ornamental use in wildflower gardens
- Used as dried flowers
- Used in flower arrangements as cut flowers
Medicinal
- Used for anti-inflammatory purposes in folk medicine
- Historically used for liver ailments in Europe
Caution:
Requires expert knowledge for medicinal use and proper processing is important
Culinary
- Roots (mountain burdock)
- Young leaves
- Flower buds
Other
- Nectar source for honey production
- Seeds used as bird food
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic, but beware of physical injury from spines
Quince
Common Quince
Golden Apple
Scientific Name:
Cydonia oblonga
Family:
Rosaceae
Description
Quince is a deciduous tree native to Central Asia that blooms fragrant white or pale pink flowers from April to May. In October, it produces elliptical yellow fruits about 7cm in diameter with a very sweet fragrance, but they are too astringent to eat raw. They are processed into jams and wines, and in Greek mythology, they were considered the golden apples offered to the goddess of love and beauty.
Trivia
- The word 'marmalade' comes from the Portuguese word 'marmelo' for quince
- Cydonia is a unique genus with only one species
- Often confused with flowering quince but distinguished by fruit surface hair
- Has been cultivated since ancient Roman times
Uses
Ornamental
- Planted as ornamental garden trees
- Enjoyed for both flowers and fruits
- Used as cut flowers
Medicinal
- Used in folk medicine for cough suppression and digestive health
- Mucilaginous components in fruits have medicinal properties
Caution:
Seeds contain cyanogenic compounds and require caution
Culinary
- Fruits (after processing)
Other
- Used as a source of fragrance
- Natural source of pectin
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Seeds
Symptoms:
Seeds may cause mild poisoning symptoms due to cyanogenic compounds