Poinsettia
Christmas Star
Christmas Flower
Scientific Name:
Euphorbia pulcherrima
Family:
Euphorbiaceae
Flower Language
-
blessing
-
wishing good fortune
-
my heart is burning
Characteristics
Colors:
red
Description
Poinsettia is an evergreen shrub native to Mexico, introduced to America in the early 19th century by Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first American ambassador to Mexico. The parts that turn red or white are often mistaken for flowers, but these are called bracts, with the real flowers being the yellow parts in the center of the bracts. It's a short-day plant that develops flower buds when days become shorter. It is beloved worldwide as a Christmas decorative plant due to its beautiful coloring during the Christmas season.
Trivia
- Japanese name 'Shojoboku' comes from legendary animal with red hair
- Originally a shrub but often treated as annual in Japan
- December 12th is designated as 'Poinsettia Day' in America
- Recognized by NASA research as plant that removes indoor harmful substances
Uses
Ornamental
- Christmas indoor decoration
- Potted plant observation
- Church and store decoration
Medicinal
- Used in Mexican folk medicine for fever and skin conditions
Caution:
Contains toxic components; self-medication is dangerous
Culinary
Not edible (toxic)
Other
- Breeding material for horticultural varieties
- Decorative design for Christmas products
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
leaves, stems, white sap
Symptoms:
May cause mild dermatitis upon skin contact, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested
Abelia
Glossy Abelia
White Forsythia
Scientific Name:
Abelia × grandiflora
Family:
Caprifoliaceae
Flower Language
-
modesty
-
good fortune
-
elegance
Characteristics
Colors:
white to pale pink
Description
Abelia is a semi-evergreen shrub born as a hybrid between Chinese Abelia chinensis and Abelia uniflora from China. It blooms small bell-shaped white to pale pink flowers successively for a long period from mid-May to October. The flowers have a sweet fragrance that attracts bees and butterflies. Extremely hardy with strong resistance to pests and diseases, and tolerant of exhaust fumes, it's also planted on highway medians and as street trees. The flower fragrance is very strong, particularly intensifying in the evening.
Trivia
- Japanese name refers to remaining sepals resembling shuttlecock feathers
- Spread nationwide during post-Tokyo Olympics greening boom
- Valued by beekeepers as honey source
- Widely used for highway greening due to exhaust gas tolerance
Uses
Ornamental
- Hedges and border plantings
- Street trees and park plantings
- Container and mixed plantings
Medicinal
- No specific medicinal uses
Caution:
No medicinal uses
Culinary
No culinary uses
Other
- Used as nectar plant for beekeeping
- Environmental purification plant for urban greening
- Soil conservation plant for greening
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic
Ornamental Kale
Flowering Kale
Ornamental Cabbage
Scientific Name:
Brassica oleracea var. acephala f. tricolor
Family:
Brassicaceae
Flower Language
-
blessing
-
embracing love
-
affection
Characteristics
Colors:
white, red, purple, pink
Description
Ornamental kale is a member of the cabbage family native to Europe, with improvements developed in Japan since the mid-Edo period. When exposed to low temperatures, chlorophyll disappears and leaves beautifully change to white, cream, purple, red, or pink colors. Named 'leaf peony' because leaves overlap like peony flowers. It has excellent cold resistance and colored leaves are appreciated from November to March in winter. The red and white coloring is considered auspicious, and it's cherished as an addition to New Year kadomatsu decorations and for brightening winter flower beds.
Trivia
- Decorated at New Year as substitute for peonies during Edo period when colorful winter flowers were rare
- Current vividly colored varieties were improved in Japan
- Dancing kale with extended stems is also popular
- Classified into 'round leaf', 'cut leaf', and 'curled leaf' types by leaf shape
Uses
Ornamental
- New Year kadomatsu decoration accessory
- Winter flower beds and mixed plantings
- Indoor and outdoor pot decoration
Medicinal
- No specific medicinal uses
Caution:
No medicinal uses
Other
- Winter environmental greening
- Breeding material for horticultural varieties
- Educational plant material
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic (cabbage family)
Common Sorrel
Garden Sorrel
Spinach Dock
Scientific Name:
Rumex acetosa
Family:
Polygonaceae
Flower Language
-
affection
-
tender love
-
friendly affection
Characteristics
Colors:
pale green to reddish
Description
Common sorrel is a perennial herb widely distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, found from Hokkaido to Kyushu in Japan. It commonly grows wild near human settlements such as roadsides, fields, and farm paths, reaching heights of about 60cm, with tall specimens reaching 1m. The stems and leaves have a reddish tinge, with lower leaves being arrow-shaped, and it blooms reddish pale green flowers in spikes from early summer to summer. It tastes sour when eaten, also called 'sukampo' in Japanese, and is cultivated as a vegetable or herb called 'Garden Sorrel' in Europe.
Trivia
- Alternative Japanese name 'sukampo' derives from its sour taste
- Used in high-end restaurants as 'sorrel' in Europe
- Rich in vitamin C, historically used for scurvy prevention
- Leaf sourness comes from oxalic acid and calcium oxalate
Uses
Ornamental
- Wildflower gardens
- Natural style gardens
- Herb gardens
Medicinal
- Diuretic effects
- Mild laxative effects
- Digestive improvement effects
Caution:
Contains oxalic acid; avoid large amounts
Other
- Nectar source plant
- Soil improvement plant
- Wildlife food source
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
all parts (contains oxalic acid)
Symptoms:
Large amounts may burden the kidneys