Nandina
Sacred Bamboo
Heavenly Bamboo
Scientific Name:
Nandina domestica
Family:
Berberidaceae
Flower Language
-
increasing happiness
-
good home
-
bringing fortune
Description
Nandina is an evergreen shrub native to China, belonging to the Berberidaceae family, growing to about 1.5 meters tall. It produces small white flowers from June to July and bright red berries from November to February. The name is considered auspicious in Japanese culture, as it sounds like 'turning difficulties into fortune.' It has been cherished as a lucky plant and is commonly used in New Year decorations and as a garden plant. The berries have medicinal properties for cough relief, and the leaves are also used in traditional medicine.
Trivia
- Nandina throat lozenges were already being made in the Edo period
- The custom of adding nandina leaves to red rice was for preservative effects
- Used in wedding decorations for its auspicious meaning
- Slow growth makes it a symbol of 'late blooming success'
Uses
Ornamental
- New Year decoration material
- Garden plant and hedge
- Bonsai
Medicinal
- Dried berries used for cough relief
- Leaves used for stomach ailments, fever reduction, and cough suppression
Caution:
Berries contain domesticine, a toxic compound, so large amounts should be avoided
Culinary
Generally not suitable for culinary use
Other
- Charm for warding off evil
- Fire prevention plant
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Berries (especially seeds), Leaves
Symptoms:
Domesticine can cause respiratory difficulties, convulsions, and loss of consciousness.
Brachyscome
Swan River Daisy
Cut-leaved Daisy
Scientific Name:
Brachyscome iberidifolia
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
wild beauty
-
touching
-
elegance
Description
Brachyscome is a plant of the Asteraceae family native to Australia, producing charming daisy-like flowers with a diameter of 1.5-2 cm. It features colorful flowers in blue, light pink, white, and other hues, and can be enjoyed for long periods from spring to autumn. It was introduced to Japan around the end of the Meiji period and is mainly beloved for gardening purposes. It's popular for mixed plantings and adding color to flower beds, and is relatively easy to grow.
Trivia
- Also called 'Swan River Daisy', originating from the Swan River region of Western Australia
- The combination of yellow center and blue-purple petals is considered most beautiful
- Seeds are very small, with about 2000 seeds per gram
- Has the characteristic of not flowering when temperatures are too high
Uses
Ornamental
- Mixed plantings
- Flower bed coloring
- Potted plants
Medicinal
Caution:
No known medicinal uses
Culinary
Not suitable for culinary use
Other
- Can be enjoyed as cut flowers for short periods
- Pressed flower material
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No toxicity reported
Oriental Bittersweet
Asian Bittersweet
Round-leaved Bittersweet
Scientific Name:
Celastrus orbiculatus
Family:
Celastraceae
Flower Language
-
good fortune
-
late blooming success
-
truth
Description
Oriental Bittersweet is a deciduous climbing woody plant of the Celastraceae family native to East Asia, growing up to about 3 meters tall. It produces small yellow-green flowers from May to June, and in autumn, yellow fruits split into three parts to reveal red seeds inside. The beautiful transformation of the fruits has given it flower meanings of 'good fortune' and 'late blooming success.' It's popular as fresh flower material and for wreaths, and can be enjoyed for long periods as it naturally becomes dried flowers.
Trivia
- Named for being a climbing plant with plum-like leaves
- Fruits start green, ripen to yellow, then split to reveal red seeds
- Seed dispersal occurs when birds eat the seeds
- Maintains beauty for long periods as dried flowers without fading
Uses
Ornamental
- Fresh flowers and ikebana
- Wreath material
- Dried flowers
Medicinal
- Root bark used for diuretic and detoxifying effects
- Folk remedy for joint pain
Caution:
Medicinal use requires professional knowledge and self-medication should be avoided
Other
- Decorative climbing plant for gardens
- Contributes to ecosystem as bird food
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Outer seed coating (fruit portion)
Symptoms:
Large amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms
Cineraria
Florist's Cineraria
Common Ragwort
Scientific Name:
Pericallis × hybrida
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
troubled joy
-
always cheerful
-
joy
Characteristics
Colors:
purple
Description
Cineraria is a horticultural variety of the Asteraceae family, genus Pericallis, native to the Canary Islands, and can be enjoyed for long periods from December to April. It comes in abundant flower colors including purple, blue, white, and pink, with various cultivars ranging from 3cm diameter flowers to large blooms exceeding 8cm. The beautiful radially spreading petals make it a popular potted flower that brightens winter interiors. Due to heat sensitivity, it's treated as an annual in Japan.
Trivia
- Originally called 'Cineraria' but renamed to 'Sainearia' to avoid death associations
- Also known by alternative names 'Fukizakura' and 'Fuukizakura'
- Bicolor varieties with dark centers and light edges are particularly popular
- Temperature control is important with 15-20°C being optimal growing temperature
Uses
Ornamental
- Indoor potted flowers
- Mixed plantings
- Cut flowers (short-term)
Medicinal
Caution:
No known medicinal uses
Culinary
Not suitable for culinary use
Other
- Winter indoor decoration
- Ornamental greenhouse cultivation
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Leaves, Stems
Symptoms:
Contains alkaloids, so large amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms