Odontoglossum
Tiger Orchid
Dancing Lady Orchid
Scientific Name:
Odontoglossum grande
Family:
Orchidaceae
Description
Native to the highlands of Central and South America, this epiphytic orchid belongs to a group closely related to Oncidium. The flowers display beautiful colors including red, white, and yellow with distinctive spotted patterns. The name 'Odontoglossum' comes from Greek words meaning 'tooth' and 'tongue', referring to the tooth-like projections at the base of the lip.
Trivia
- The name Odontoglossum means 'toothed tongue', referring to the flower structure
- Introduced to Europe in the 19th century and called 'jewel of orchids' by enthusiasts
- Prefers the cool climate of Andean highlands, making cultivation difficult in Japan
- Modern breeding has developed varieties that are relatively easier to cultivate
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flowers for luxury floral arrangements
- Potted plants for indoor decoration
- Greenhouse cultivation for ornamental purposes
Medicinal
- No significant medicinal uses
Caution:
No specific cautions
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Used as breeding stock for horticultural varieties
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No toxicity
Tulip
Garden Tulip
Scientific Name:
Tulipa gesneriana
Family:
Liliaceae
Flower Language
-
Universal love
-
Thoughtfulness
-
Budding love
-
Hopeless love
-
Lost love
-
Eternal love
-
Eternal affection
Description
A bulbous plant native to Kazakhstan and the Tianshan Mountains region of Central Asia. Now beloved worldwide with over 6,500 varieties. Flower forms vary from single to double, lily-flowered, and parrot types, with colors including red, yellow, pink, white, orange, and purple. A representative spring flower cultivated in gardens and parks worldwide.
Trivia
- The 17th century Dutch 'Tulip mania' is famous as the world's first economic bubble
- The name originates from the Turkish word 'turban'
- The Netherlands produces about 3 billion tulips annually
- Over 6,500 varieties exist due to selective breeding
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
- Garden planting for ornamental purposes
- Potted plants for indoor decoration
Medicinal
- Sometimes used in folk medicine for cough relief
Caution:
Bulbs are toxic and require caution
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption (bulbs are toxic)
Other
- Used as perfume ingredient
- Petals used for natural dyes
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs, Stems, Leaves
Symptoms:
Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dermatitis
Wild Tulip
Species Tulip
Miniature Tulip
Scientific Name:
Tulipa clusiana
Family:
Liliaceae
Description
Wild species or those close to them, sometimes called 'Miniature Tulips' or 'Wild Tulips'. Generally shorter than common tulips but produce relatively large flowers for their height. Hardier and more disease-resistant than regular tulips, making them easier to grow. When planted in the ground, they can bloom for 2-3 years without replanting. Over 100 varieties exist with diverse colors and flowering forms.
Trivia
- Wild tulips have a longer history than garden tulips, existing for thousands of years
- The representative variety includes Clusiana, called 'Lady Tulip'
- Also called 'perennial tulips' because they bloom annually without replanting
- Despite their small size, they produce beautiful flowers similar to garden tulips
Uses
Ornamental
- Rock garden cultivation
- Natural garden design
- Potted plant appreciation
Medicinal
- No significant medicinal uses
Caution:
Bulbs have mild toxicity
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Used as breeding stock for garden varieties
- Symbol in nature conservation activities
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs
Symptoms:
May cause mild gastrointestinal upset
Yellow Cattleya
Golden Cattleya
Scientific Name:
Cattleya dowiana
Family:
Orchidaceae
Characteristics
Colors:
Yellow
Description
An orchid from Central and South America, also called the 'Queen of Orchids'. Characterized by thick leaves and pseudobulbs (swollen stems), with beautifully spreading petals and a central lip. Yellow Cattleyas have bright yellow flowers with red lips and rich fragrance. Popular both as cut flowers and potted plants, beloved worldwide for their vivid colors and pleasant fragrance.
Trivia
- Named after 19th century British horticulturist W. Cattley
- The dowiana species from Costa Rica is famous for its beautiful yellow color
- Yellow flowers tend to dislike strong light more than other colors
- Individual flowers can bloom continuously for 1-2 weeks
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flowers for luxury floral arrangements
- Potted plants for indoor appreciation
- Corsages for special occasions
Medicinal
- No significant medicinal uses
Caution:
No specific cautions
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Used as perfume ingredient
- Used as breeding stock for garden varieties
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No toxicity
Red Rose
Red Garden Rose
Scientific Name:
Rosa hybrida
Family:
Rosaceae
Characteristics
Colors:
Red
Description
Roses, called the 'Queen of Flowers', are plants widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere from Europe to Asia. Red roses are particularly beloved worldwide as symbols of love and passion, with many garden varieties developed. Petals range from five to multiple layers, with pleasant fragrance being characteristic. They are deciduous shrubs of the Rosa genus in the Rosaceae family, with thorns on stems. The flowering period is long, from May to November, with various cultivars available.
Trivia
- The number of red roses has specific meanings (1: love at first sight, 12: lovers, 108: marry me)
- The world's oldest rose fossil was discovered from about 55 million years ago
- Damask roses are considered to have the finest fragrance, requiring about 4000 flowers to make 1g of rose oil
- Records show that Cleopatra bathed in rose baths
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
- Garden planting for ornamental purposes
- Potted plants for indoor decoration
Medicinal
- Rose hips rich in vitamin C, used for health teas
- Petals said to have anti-inflammatory properties
- Aromatherapy for relaxation effects
Caution:
Caution needed for thorn injuries
Culinary
- Petals
- Rose hips (fruits)
Other
- Perfume and cosmetic ingredients
- Rose oil extraction
- Dried flowers for decoration
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No toxicity, but beware of thorn injuries
Winter Daphne
Fragrant Daphne
Scientific Name:
Daphne odora
Family:
Thymelaeaceae
Flower Language
-
Glory
-
Immortality
-
Eternity
Description
An evergreen shrub native to southern China, counted among Japan's three most fragrant trees along with gardenia and fragrant olive. The name 'Winter Daphne' derives from the flower's fragrance resembling agarwood and its cross-shaped flowers resembling cloves. It blooms from February to April with thick, fragrant flowers that are reddish-purple outside and pure white inside. A low shrub growing 1-1.5m tall, it has been cultivated since the Muromachi period.
Trivia
- Most Winter Daphne in Japan are male plants, so fruits are rarely seen
- Also called 'Thousand-Mile Fragrance' due to its strong scent
- Sometimes used as Christian symbol due to cross-shaped flowers
- A long-lived plant that can survive for decades once established
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden planting for fragrance enjoyment
- Flower arrangement materials
- Potted plant cultivation for appreciation
Medicinal
- Sometimes used in folk medicine for fever reduction
Caution:
All parts are toxic, internal use is dangerous
Culinary
Never use for food as it is toxic
Other
- Flower extracts used for fragrance
- Said to have insect repelling effects
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
All parts, Especially fruits, Bark, Roots
Symptoms:
Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, convulsions, and in severe cases, death