Autumn Daffodil
Yellow Autumn Crocus
Yellow Star Flower
Lily-of-the-field
Winter Daffodil
Scientific Name:
Sternbergia lutea
Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Flower Language
-
expectation
-
impatience
-
repose
-
I love you
Characteristics
Colors:
yellow
Description
Sternbergia is a bulbous plant that produces beautiful bright yellow flowers during autumn when few other flowers bloom. Named after Austrian botanist Franz von Paula Adam von Sternberg, it remains dormant during spring and summer, suddenly emerging and flowering in autumn, hence the flower meanings of 'expectation' and 'impatience'. The flowers resemble daffodils with six petals, brightening autumn gardens with their cheerful yellow blooms.
Trivia
- Named after 19th-century Austrian botanist Kaspar Maria von Sternberg
- 'Lutea' means 'yellow' in Latin, referring to the flower color
- Relatively rare among autumn-flowering bulbs, popular with collectors
- Grows naturally in limestone rock crevices along the Mediterranean coast
Uses
Ornamental
- Rock garden planting
- Container cultivation
- Autumn border decoration
Medicinal
- Bulbs occasionally used in folk medicine but not recommended
Caution:
Bulbs are toxic and should not be ingested.
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Nature education observation material
- Horticultural therapy applications
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
bulbs, leaves
Symptoms:
Ingestion may cause gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Lady's Slipper Orchid
Venus Slipper
Paphiopedilum
Slipper Orchid
Scientific Name:
Paphiopedilum spp.
Family:
Orchidaceae
Flower Language
-
thoughtful
-
elegant attire
-
changeable affection
-
sensual
Description
Paphiopedilum is an orchid with distinctive pouch-like lip petals, counted among the world's four major orchid genera. The scientific name derives from Greek 'Paphia' (another name for goddess Aphrodite) and 'pedilon' (slipper), meaning 'goddess's slipper'. The most distinctive feature is the slipper-shaped lip petal below, while other petals spread upward and sideways. Colors range from green, brown, white, yellow to pink, exhibiting exotic charm.
Trivia
- One of the world's most expensive orchids, with rare varieties selling for tens of thousands of dollars
- Often mistaken for carnivorous plants but are not actually carnivorous
- The pouch-shaped flower has an ingenious mechanism that temporarily traps insects to promote pollination
- Once bloomed, flowers can be enjoyed for 1-3 months
Uses
Ornamental
- Greenhouse display
- Indoor potted decoration
- Orchid show exhibitions
Medicinal
- Some species have traditional medicinal uses but not common
Caution:
Medicinal use requires expertise and self-medication should be avoided.
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Horticultural therapy applications
- Botanical research subjects
- Breeding and hybridization material
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
leaves, stems
Symptoms:
No serious symptoms unless consumed in large quantities, but mild gastrointestinal upset is possible.
Holly Olive
False Holly
Holly Osmanthus
Chinese Holly
Scientific Name:
Osmanthus heterophyllus
Family:
Oleaceae
Flower Language
-
caution
-
I will protect you
-
foresight
-
protection
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
Hiiragi is an evergreen small tree native to Japan and Taiwan, characterized by sharp spines on the leaf edges. It produces fragrant white flowers from November to December, resembling white versions of osmanthus flowers. The leaf spines are sharp on young trees but become rounded with age, eventually becoming oval-shaped. This characteristic gave rise to the flower meaning of 'foresight'. In Japan, it has long been cherished as a protective tree, with the custom of displaying hiiragi-iwashi during Setsubun.
Trivia
- The name derives from ancient Japanese meaning 'stinging pain' when touched
- The kanji '柊' combines 'tree' and 'winter'
- Old trees lose their leaf spines and look like completely different plants
- Belongs to the same Oleaceae family as osmanthus, with similar flower fragrance
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden tree planting
- Hedge applications
- Bonsai appreciation
Medicinal
- Leaves and bark occasionally used in folk medicine
Caution:
Medicinal effects are not scientifically proven and self-medication should be avoided.
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Protective charm use
- Setsubun decorations
- Wood use for small items
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
leaves, berries
Symptoms:
No serious symptoms unless consumed in large quantities, but may cause gastrointestinal upset.
Campion
Lychnis
Maltese Cross
Scarlet Lightning
Scientific Name:
Lychnis coronaria
Family:
Caryophyllaceae
Flower Language
-
love's excitement
-
wit
-
honor
Characteristics
Colors:
scarlet red
Description
Senno is a perennial plant native to China that was introduced to Japan between the late Kamakura and early Muromachi periods. It produces eye-catching scarlet-red flowers from July to September, characterized by finely divided petal tips. The name derives from its cultivation at Saga Senno-ji Temple in Kyoto, and during the Muromachi period, cut flowers were customarily given as Tanabata gifts. The entire plant is covered with short hairs, has upright stems, and bears opposite leaves.
Trivia
- Named after its cultivation at Saga Senno-ji Temple in Kyoto
- Tanabata was called 'Sensetsu' during the Muromachi period
- The flower color is a special vermillion called 'carmine red'
- Now naturalized and can be seen in various locations
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden ornamental use
- Cut flower applications
- Container cultivation
Medicinal
- Roots occasionally used in traditional Chinese medicine
Caution:
Medicinal use requires expertise and self-medication should be avoided.
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Dye applications
- Horticultural therapy use
- Educational plant material
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
roots, leaves
Symptoms:
No serious symptoms unless consumed in large quantities, but may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.