Balloon Flower
Chinese Bellflower
Japanese Bellflower
Platycodon
Scientific Name:
Platycodon grandiflorum
Family:
Campanulaceae
Flower Language
-
unchanging love
-
purity
-
sincerity
-
obedience
Description
A perennial herb of the Campanulaceae family, cherished as one of the seven autumn flowers since ancient times. It grows wild in sunny mountains and fields, releasing white latex when stems or leaves are damaged. It blooms with star-shaped blue-purple flowers, and the buds inflate like balloons, hence the English name Balloon Flower. The roots are used medicinally as platycodon root for their antitussive and expectorant effects.
Trivia
- Called 'Balloon Flower' because buds inflate like balloons
- Akechi Mitsuhide's family crest was the famous kikyo-mon (bellflower crest)
- The identity of the 'morning face flower' in the Manyoshu was debated for long, but balloon flower is now the leading theory
- Saponins in the roots have soap-like foaming effects
Uses
Ornamental
- Used as cut flowers in tea ceremony and flower arrangement
- Planted in gardens as autumn flowers
- Cultivated in pots for ornamental purposes
Medicinal
- Antitussive and expectorant effects (Kikyo-to, etc.)
- Treatment of purulent diseases
- Improvement of tonsillitis and pharyngitis
Caution:
Contains platycodon saponins throughout the plant, which can cause poisoning if consumed without proper processing.
Culinary
Roots can be used as wild vegetables after thorough water soaking for detoxification, but requires expert knowledge.
Other
- Used as crude drug (platycodon root) in traditional medicine
- Ornamental horticultural plant
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Entire plant, Especially roots
Symptoms:
Poisoning symptoms from platycodon saponins may include diarrhea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal disorders.
Salvia
Sage
Scarlet Sage
Scientific Name:
Salvia splendens
Family:
Lamiaceae
Flower Language
-
burning passion
-
wisdom
-
respect
-
energy
-
forever yours
Description
A plant of the Salvia genus in the mint family, native to Brazil. While naturally perennial, it's treated as an annual in Japan. It blooms with vivid red flowers continuously from summer to autumn, adorning flower beds. Known as Salvia splendens (scarlet sage), it's beloved worldwide as an ornamental plant. Heat-resistant and continues to bloom beautifully even in Japan's harsh summers.
Trivia
- The Salvia genus includes over 900 species distributed worldwide
- Japanese name 'higoromoso' derives from the red flower color
- Known as a favorite of hummingbirds and important nectar source in the Americas
- Currently cultivated varieties are dwarf types, smaller than original species
Uses
Ornamental
- Summer bedding plant
- Potted ornamental
- Accent in mixed plantings
Medicinal
- Medicinal use as herb (some species)
- Anti-inflammatory properties (research stage)
Caution:
Ornamental Salvia splendens is not suitable for medicinal use, and some Salvia species may be toxic.
Culinary
Salvia splendens is not suitable for culinary use.
Other
- Use as cut flowers
- Dried flower arrangements
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No particular toxicity reported for Salvia splendens, but not suitable for consumption as an ornamental plant.
Canna
Canna Lily
Indian Shot
Scientific Name:
Canna × hybrida
Family:
Cannaceae
Flower Language
-
passion
-
cheerfulness
-
eternity
-
delusion
Description
A bulbous plant of the Cannaceae family native to Central and South America, forming ginger-like rhizomes underground. It blooms with vivid flowers in red, orange, yellow and other colors from summer to autumn, with large leaves also having ornamental value. Extremely heat-resistant and continues to bloom beautifully even in Japan's severe heat. Many varieties that can be enjoyed as colorful foliage plants are now available.
Trivia
- The name 'Canna' derives from the Latin word meaning 'reed'
- 50 species grow wild in tropical regions
- Seeds are extremely hard and were once used as bullet substitutes
- Recently popular as colorful foliage plants for leaf colors and patterns
Uses
Ornamental
- Summer garden beds
- Potted ornamental
- Use as colorful foliage
Medicinal
- Use in folk medicine (some regions)
Caution:
Professional knowledge required for medicinal use.
Other
- Use as cut flowers
- Landscape plants for tropical gardens
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No particular toxicity reported for Canna, but ornamental varieties are not suitable for consumption.
Autumn Crocus
Meadow Saffron
Naked Lady
Colchicum
Scientific Name:
Colchicum autumnale
Family:
Colchicaceae
Flower Language
-
my best days are past
-
dangerous beauty
Description
A bulbous plant of the Colchicaceae family native to south-central Europe and North Africa. Called 'autumn crocus' because it blooms beautiful crocus-like flowers in autumn, but it's completely different from true saffron of the Iridaceae family. The bulbs and seeds contain the deadly poison colchicine, and it's known as a representative toxic plant in Japan. While it produces beautiful flowers, it's an extremely dangerous plant with many reported deaths from accidental ingestion.
Trivia
- An extremely dangerous poisonous plant that caused 11 deaths in Japan between 2006 and 2016
- More fatal accidents reported than with monkshood
- Used in the medical field as a source of colchicine for gout treatment
- Many accidental ingestions occur due to resemblance to saffron
Uses
Ornamental
- Autumn garden viewing (under extremely careful management)
- Botanical garden displays (educational purposes)
Medicinal
- Source of gout medication (professional medical use only)
- Research material for anti-inflammatory agents
Caution:
Colchicine is deadly poison and absolutely prohibited for non-medical use. Must not be used without specialist medical prescription.
Culinary
Autumn crocus is deadly poisonous and no part can ever be used for culinary purposes.
Other
- Toxicity research for research purposes
- Educational displays of dangerous plants
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
Entire plant, Especially bulbs, Seeds
Symptoms:
Colchicine poisoning causes diarrhea, vomiting, skin sensory paralysis, and respiratory difficulty, potentially leading to death in severe cases.