Lachenalia
Cape cowslip
African hyacinth
Scientific Name:
Lachenalia aloides
Family:
Asparagaceae
Flower Language
-
persistence
-
lasting love
-
fickleness
-
change
Description
Lachenalia is a bulbous plant from the Asparagaceae family native to South Africa. It produces only two leaves, and the central flower stem bears numerous tubular flowers in multicolored combinations of red, yellow, green, and other hues. This relatively new garden plant was introduced to Japan in the early Showa period. It features abundant flower colors and the distinctive characteristic of slowly changing colors from bud to bloom. The flowers have excellent longevity, maintaining their beauty for 2 weeks to a month.
Trivia
- The scientific name is named after Swiss botanist Werner de la Chenal
- About 100 species grow wild in South Africa
- Has the unusual characteristic of changing flower color from bud to bloom
- A relatively new garden plant introduced to Japan in the early Showa period
Uses
Ornamental
- Used as cut flowers in bouquets and arrangements
- Potted plants for indoor decoration
- Material for mixed plantings
Medicinal
Caution:
No known medicinal effects
Other
- Subject of horticultural research
- Material for plant breeding
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No toxicity reported
Christmas Holly
English Holly
European Holly
Scientific Name:
Ilex aquifolium
Family:
Aquifoliaceae
Flower Language
-
purity and integrity
-
foresight
-
I believe in God
-
caution
Description
Christmas Holly is an evergreen tree from the Aquifoliaceae family, native to western Asia, southern Europe, and northern Africa. It flowers from April to May, and the resulting berries turn red from around November. The leaf edges have saw-like serrated spines, and it has long been considered to have protective powers against evil. In Christianity, it is considered a sacred plant, with the spiny leaves and red berries representing Christ's suffering and blood.
Trivia
- Completely different from Japanese holly - the former is Ilex genus, the latter is Osmanthus genus
- Sometimes used as decoration on Christmas cakes
- There was a tradition of predicting winter severity by the way berries formed
- Believed to have protective powers and was decorated in homes, shops, churches, and cemeteries
Uses
Ornamental
- Material for Christmas wreaths
- Indoor decorative branches
- Garden ornamental trees
Medicinal
- Sometimes used in folk medicine for fever and joint pain
Caution:
Berries are toxic and require caution
Culinary
Not edible. Berries are toxic.
Other
- Tannin extraction from bark
- Used as wood material
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Berries, Leaves
Symptoms:
Large consumption of berries may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and drowsiness
Strelitzia
Bird of Paradise
Crane Flower
Scientific Name:
Strelitzia reginae
Family:
Strelitziaceae
Flower Language
-
pretentious love
-
brilliant future
-
dandy of love
-
tolerance
-
obtaining everything
Description
Strelitzia is a perennial plant from the Strelitziaceae family native to South Africa. Growing 1-3 meters tall, mature plants produce bird-like flowers in orange and vivid blue-purple colors. The leaves are fan-shaped and rounded, spreading radially, and its unique and beautiful flower form earned it the Japanese name 'Bird of Paradise Flower.' The flowers have excellent longevity, maintaining their beauty for over two weeks, making it popular both as an ornamental plant and cut flower.
Trivia
- The scientific name comes from the Strelitz family, Queen Charlotte's maiden name
- Adopted as the official flower of Los Angeles
- Has the characteristic of producing multiple flowers from one bud
- Beloved as a symbol of freedom during South Africa's apartheid era
Uses
Ornamental
- Indoor decoration as ornamental plant
- Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
- Garden ornamental plants
Medicinal
Caution:
No known medicinal effects
Other
- Material for flower arrangement
- Show window displays
- Used as feng shui plants
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Seeds
Symptoms:
Large consumption of seeds may cause mild gastrointestinal upset
Japanese Alder
Alder
Scientific Name:
Alnus japonica
Family:
Betulaceae
Flower Language
-
patience
-
bravery
-
indomitable spirit
-
solemnity
Description
Japanese Alder is a deciduous tree from the Betulaceae family found in lowland wetlands and rice field edges in Japan. Growing 10-20 meters tall, it prefers waterside environments. It blooms with monoecious flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge, with male catkins hanging from branch tips and elliptical female catkins with reddish-purple coloring. Root nodule bacteria symbiotically live in its roots, allowing it to thrive even in nutrient-poor wetlands. Tannins and dyes have been extracted from its bark and cones, making it useful since ancient times.
Trivia
- The ancient name was 'hari' (榛), derived from the old word 'hari' meaning land reclamation
- Root nodule bacteria enable nitrogen fixation like leguminous plants
- Pollen disperses from January to June, being one cause of spring hay fever
- Has special root structure that doesn't suffer oxygen deficiency in wetlands
Uses
Ornamental
- Park plantings
- Waterside landscape trees
- Wetland garden materials
Medicinal
- Bark sometimes used in folk medicine for hemostasis and anti-inflammation
Caution:
Avoid medicinal use without professional knowledge
Other
- Tannin extraction from bark
- Dye material
- Used as lumber
- Wetland soil improvement
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No toxicity reported, but pollen may cause allergies