Fire Lily
Cyrtanthus
Curved Flower
Scientific Name:
Cyrtanthus elatus
Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Flower Language
-
romantic
-
shy
-
complex charm
Description
Cyrtanthus is a bulbous plant from South Africa whose name derives from Greek words meaning 'curved' and 'flower'. About 50 species exist, many of which are fragrant. The characteristic curved trumpet-shaped flowers emit a sweet fruity fragrance. Known as Fire Lily in English, there are both winter-blooming and summer-blooming species. Though the flowers are small and inconspicuous, they captivate people with their distinctive fragrance.
Trivia
- The name Cyrtanthus comes from Greek 'kyrtos' meaning curved, describing the flower shape
- 40-50 wild species exist in South Africa, each with regional characteristics
- Known for its fruity sweet fragrance, making it popular among fragrant bulb plants
- Both winter and summer blooming varieties exist with different flowering seasons
Uses
Ornamental
- Greenhouse pot cultivation
- Cut flower use
- Indoor decorative bulb plant
Medicinal
Caution:
No recorded medicinal use
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Potential use as fragrance source
- Collector's plant for horticulture enthusiasts
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
bulb, leaves
Symptoms:
Contains alkaloids typical of Amaryllidaceae family, may cause digestive symptoms if ingested
Sarcandra
Red-berry Sarcandra
Thousand Coins
Scientific Name:
Sarcandra glabra
Family:
Chloranthaceae
Flower Language
-
prosperity
-
profit
-
blessing
Description
Sarcandra is an evergreen shrub native to Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan. It has long been cherished alongside Nandina and Ardisia as an auspicious plant, valued as flower material for New Year arrangements. In early summer, it produces small yellowish-green flowers in spikes at the tips of new shoots, followed by glossy red berries 5-6mm in diameter in late autumn. While similar to Ardisia, Sarcandra is distinguished by bearing its berries above the leaves.
Trivia
- The name 'thousand coins' was given in the Edo period, as the numerous berries resembled money
- Named in contrast to Manryo (ten thousand coins), though Senryo actually had higher market value
- Easy to distinguish from Manryo as Senryo bears fruit above leaves while Manryo below
- Known as a hardy plant that is rarely troubled by pests and diseases
Uses
Ornamental
- New Year flower arrangement material
- Garden tree planting
- Potted ornamental cultivation
Medicinal
- Folk medicine for joint pain treatment
- External application for bruises
Caution:
Avoid medicinal use without expert guidance
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Sold as cut flowers in flower markets
- Used as bonsai material
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No specific toxicity reported, but berries are not edible
Bolivian Sunset
Seemannia
Gloxinia
Scientific Name:
Gloxinia sylvatica
Family:
Gesneriaceae
Flower Language
-
prosperity
-
vitality
-
communication
Description
Seemannia is a bulbous plant from the Gesneriaceae family, native to Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina in South America. Currently classified in the Gloxinia genus, it retains its former generic name Seemannia in common usage. It has scaly underground rhizomes and produces red to orange bell-shaped flowers facing sideways from October to February. Growing to about 40cm in height, it's popular as a potted plant that brightens winter interiors.
Trivia
- Named after German plant collector Berthold Carl Seemann
- Though now classified as Gloxinia, still commonly known as 'Seemannia' in horticulture
- The English name 'Bolivian Sunset' comes from its beautiful sunset-like flower colors
- Rare among winter-blooming bulbs, offering vibrant colors during cold seasons
Uses
Ornamental
- Winter indoor potted plants
- Greenhouse cultivation displays
- Cut flower use
Medicinal
Caution:
No recorded medicinal use
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Collector's plant for horticulture enthusiasts
- Display plant in botanical gardens
Toxicity
Symptoms:
No specific toxicity reported
Leopard Plant
Japanese Silver Leaf
Farfugium
Scientific Name:
Farfugium japonicum
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
unharmed by difficulties
-
not defeated by difficulties
-
modesty
Description
Farfugium is a perennial herb of the Asteraceae family distributed from Japan to East Asia. A hardy plant that grows naturally in harsh environments such as rocky shores, it produces yellow chrysanthemum-like flowers from October to November. The leaves are thick and glossy, and it has long been planted in gardens for ornamental purposes. Young leaves can be eaten after salt-boiling with proper processing. Known as 'takugo' in herbal medicine, it has also been used in folk medicine.
Trivia
- The name means 'glossy butterbur', referring to the leaf shine
- One of the few plants that can grow in harsh saline coastal environments
- Cultivated ornamentally since the Edo period with many horticultural varieties created
- The herbal medicine name 'takugo' is recorded in ancient Chinese medical texts
Uses
Ornamental
- Planted as ground cover in Japanese gardens
- Potted ornamental cultivation
- Use as ground cover
Medicinal
- Burn treatment
- Stomach upset relief
- External medicine for bruises
Caution:
Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, avoid medicinal use without expert knowledge
Other
- Development of variegated cultivars for horticulture
- Use as bonsai material
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
leaves, stems, roots
Symptoms:
Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids with hepatotoxicity, may cause liver damage if consumed without proper processing
Loquat
Japanese Medlar
Chinese Plum
Scientific Name:
Eriobotrya japonica
Family:
Rosaceae
Flower Language
-
gentleness
-
shyness
-
healing
Description
Loquat is an evergreen tree of the Rosaceae family, believed to originate from central-southern China. It was introduced to Japan from China in ancient times and is now widely cultivated in warm regions west of Kanto. From October to December, it produces fragrant white 5-petaled flowers, followed by sweet oval fruits in early summer of the following year. The leaves contain tannins and amygdalin with astringent properties and have long been used in folk medicine. While the fruit is popular as food, caution is needed as the seeds are toxic.
Trivia
- Named 'biwa' because the fruit shape resembles the biwa musical instrument
- Cultivated in China for over 3000 years, one of the world's oldest fruit trees
- Sometimes called 'great cold cherry' because it blooms in winter
- Nagasaki Prefecture leads Japan in production, famous for Mogi loquats
Uses
Ornamental
- Planted as garden trees
- Use as street trees
- Park tree plantings
Medicinal
- Dried leaves used as loquat tea
- External medicine for burns and eczema
- Cough suppressant and expectorant effects
Caution:
Seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, absolutely do not consume
Other
- Wood used for furniture and musical instrument materials
- Leaf extracts used in cosmetics
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
seeds, unripe fruit
Symptoms:
Amygdalin in seeds converts to cyanide, causing poisoning symptoms including headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting