Azalea
Western Azalea
Dutch Azalea
Rhododendron
Scientific Name:
Rhododendron simsii
Family:
Ericaceae
Flower Language
-
temperance
-
moderation
-
joy of love
-
happy to be loved by you
-
joy of youth
Characteristics
Colors:
red
Description
Azalea is a horticultural variety created by breeding azaleas native to Japan and China in Europe. Compared to Japanese azaleas, the petals are thicker and produce gorgeous large double flowers and frilled blooms. It is an evergreen shrub with a manageable height of 1-1.5 meters. The flower colors are diverse including pink, red, white, purple, and multicolored varieties. The main blooming period is spring (April-May), but some varieties also bloom in winter (November-February). The leaves are thick with fine hairs and have an oblanceolate shape.
Trivia
- The name derives from the Latin 'azaleos' meaning dry, referring to its preference for dry soil.
- It became hugely popular among European upper classes in the 19th century as a representative greenhouse plant.
- In Japan, it has been beloved as 'satsuki' since the Edo period and is popular for bonsai.
- Eight U.S. states have designated azalea as their state flower.
Uses
Ornamental
- Indoor decoration as potted plants
- Garden shrub planting
- Cut flowers for floral arrangements
Medicinal
- Folk medicine use for anti-inflammatory properties in leaves
- Flowers are said to have sedative effects
Caution:
Azaleas contain toxic compounds, so internal consumption should be avoided.
Other
- Honey source (though toxic honey requires caution)
- Parent stock for horticultural breeding
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
leaves, flowers, stems
Symptoms:
Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and decreased heart rate.
Cymbidium
Cymbidium Orchid
Boat Orchid
Scientific Name:
Cymbidium hybridum
Family:
Orchidaceae
Flower Language
-
secluded beauty
-
unpretentious heart
-
simplicity
-
noble beauty
-
gorgeous love
Description
Cymbidium is a Western orchid created by crossbreeding native species from Southeast Asia to Japan, known as one of the four major Western orchids along with Cattleya, Paphiopedilum, and Dendrobium. At the base of the plant are round, large swollen parts called pseudobulbs, which are modified stems that store nutrients and water. It is called a semi-terrestrial orchid, having intermediate characteristics between epiphytic and terrestrial orchids. It grows to 30-80cm in height, is cold-hardy, and won't die unless it freezes. The flowering period is winter (December-March), producing beautiful flowers 4-8cm in diameter.
Trivia
- The scientific name 'Cymbidium' derives from Greek 'kymbes' (boat) and 'edios' (form), referring to the boat-like shape of the lip.
- Singapore's national flower is Vanda Miss Joaquim, a type of orchid.
- In Japan, it has been beloved as 'Shunran' since ancient times, even giving birth to the academic field of 'Rangaku'.
- Through breeding, thousands of horticultural varieties now exist.
Uses
Ornamental
- Interior decoration as potted plants
- Cut flowers for floral arrangements
- Gift potted flowers
Medicinal
- Traditional Chinese medicine attributes tonic effects
- Believed to have stress-relieving effects
Caution:
Scientific evidence for medical effects is insufficient; consult specialists.
Other
- Some varieties used as fragrance sources
- Utilization in horticultural therapy
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No particular toxicity has been reported.
Sacred Bamboo
Heavenly Bamboo
Nandina
Scientific Name:
Nandina domestica
Family:
Berberidaceae
Flower Language
-
bringing good fortune
-
happiness
-
my love keeps growing
-
love too deep
Description
Nandina is an evergreen shrub of the Berberidaceae family, genus Nandina, native to China, representing a monotypic genus. It typically grows to about 1.5m in height but can rarely exceed 4m. The leaves consist of small diamond-shaped leaflets 3-7cm long and about 2cm wide, forming large feather-like compound leaves 20-50cm long. Small white flowers bloom in conical clusters in June-July, and spherical red berries 6-7mm in diameter ripen in October-November. In Japan, 'Nanten' is associated with 'Nanzen' (turning away misfortune), making it an auspicious tree often planted at entrances or in unlucky directions for fire prevention and protection from evil.
Trivia
- The scientific name 'Nandina' derives from the Japanese 'Nanten', named by Thunberg in 1781.
- It represents a monotypic genus - Nandina is the only species in its genus.
- The red berries remain beautiful throughout winter as birds don't eat them.
- Records show that Edo period firefighters carried nandina branches.
Uses
Ornamental
- Shrub planting in gardens
- Branch material for flower arrangements
- New Year decorations
Medicinal
- Dried berries used as cough suppressant
- Leaves used for stomach health, fever reduction, and cough relief
- Antibacterial properties used for food preservation
Caution:
Contains hydrogen cyanide in leaves, so avoid large consumption.
Culinary
- berries (small amounts for medicinal use)
Other
- Leaves used as food preservative
- Planted at entrances for protection
- Garden tree for fire prevention
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
leaves, berries
Symptoms:
The hydrogen cyanide in leaves may cause poisoning symptoms if consumed in large quantities, but the content is minimal so it's usually not problematic.
Japanese Silver Leaf
Farfugium
Leopard Plant
Scientific Name:
Farfugium japonicum
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
not giving in to difficulties
-
humility
Description
Tsuwabuki is an evergreen perennial of the Asteraceae family, genus Farfugium, native to Japan. It grows to about 30-40cm in height with leaves similar to butterbur but is a different species. The leaves are evergreen, thick, and have a glossy surface. It produces bright yellow flowers from October to early December, adding beautiful color during the season when flowers become scarce. The flower stems extend to about 70cm, bearing numerous yellow chrysanthemum-like flowers. In Kyushu, it is also cultivated for food, particularly beloved as 'Kyarabuki' (butterbur tsukudani). The leaves also have strong antibacterial properties and are used in folk medicine.
Trivia
- The name 'Tsuwabuki' is said to be a corruption of 'Tsuyahabuki' (glossy-leaf butterbur).
- In Kyushu, 'Fuki' usually refers to Tsuwabuki, distinguished from mainland Japan's butterbur.
- It has been cultivated for ornamental purposes since the Edo period, creating many garden varieties.
- Known as a very hardy plant due to growing in harsh coastal rock environments.
Uses
Ornamental
- Groundcover planting in Japanese gardens
- Foliage plant for shade gardens
- Cut flowers for autumn arrangements
Medicinal
- Dried stems and leaves used for throat swelling and cuts
- Folk medicine for boils, bruises, and burns
- External use for strong antibacterial properties
Caution:
Use only in folk medicine; consult medical professionals when medical treatment is needed.
Culinary
- young petioles
- new shoots
Other
- Indoor cultivation as foliage plant
- Garden use as ground cover
- Cultivation as medicinal plant
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No particular toxicity reported, but proper preparation is needed for culinary use.
Ragweed
Common Ragweed
Annual Ragweed
Ambrosia
Scientific Name:
Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
unsteadiness
-
unbearable feelings
Description
Ambrosia (Ragweed) is an annual herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family, genus Ambrosia, native to North America. It grows 30-120cm tall with soft hairs throughout. The leaves are finely divided bipinnate compound leaves, opposite below and alternate above. It blooms small yellow flowers from July to October as a monoecious wind-pollinated plant. Introduced to Japan in the early Meiji period (1880) as a naturalized plant, it is now distributed nationwide along roadsides, riverbanks, and wastelands. It is known as a major cause of autumn hay fever and is designated as a cautionary alien species. While the scientific name 'Ambrosia' refers to the food of the gods in Greek mythology, it is actually treated as a weed.
Trivia
- The species name 'artemisiifolia' means 'artemisia leaf', referring to its resemblance to mugwort leaves.
- The English name 'Ragweed' comes from its ragged-looking leaves.
- A single plant is said to release about 1 billion pollen grains.
- Pollen can travel hundreds of kilometers on the wind.
Uses
Ornamental
- Not used for ornamental purposes
Medicinal
- Historically used medicinally by Native Americans
- Current medicinal use is not common
Caution:
Should avoid contact as it causes hay fever.
Other
- Subject of ecological research
- Case study for alien species management
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
pollen, leaves
Symptoms:
Pollen may cause nasal and eye symptoms, respiratory diseases, and allergic conditions.