Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow
Brunfelsia
Brazil Raintree
Morning-Noon-and-Night
Scientific Name:
Brunfelsia latifolia
Family:
Solanaceae
Description
An evergreen shrub native to South America, also known as 'Oriental Jasmine'. Its most distinctive feature is the color change of flowers from deep purple at the beginning of blooming to light purple and finally to white. It emits a particularly strong jasmine-like sweet fragrance at night and produces beautiful flowers from April to July. The name 'Banmatsuri' derives from its resemblance to foreign jasmine flowers.
Trivia
- The English name 'Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow' is a poetic expression of the color change
- Despite being called jasmine, it's actually in the nightshade family and completely different from true jasmine
- It can bloom year-round in greenhouse conditions
- A rare plant where you can enjoy three different colored flowers simultaneously on one plant
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden tree planting
- Potted plant ornamental
- Night-scented plant for fragrance
Medicinal
- Traditionally used as fever reducer in South America
- Believed to have anti-inflammatory properties
Caution:
Contains alkaloids, so medicinal use by amateurs should be avoided
Culinary
Not suitable for culinary use
Other
- Sometimes used for fragrance purposes
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Leaves, Stems, Roots
Symptoms:
May cause mild gastrointestinal upset
Casablanca Lily
Oriental Lily
Casa Blanca Lily
Scientific Name:
Lilium 'Casa Blanca'
Family:
Liliaceae
Flower Language
-
Self-respect
-
Nobility
-
Purity
Characteristics
Colors:
White
Description
A representative variety of Oriental Hybrids developed in the Netherlands, known as the 'Queen of Lilies'. The pure white large flowers can reach 20cm in diameter and emit a strong fragrance. It was improved in the Netherlands in the 1970s using Japanese native species like Yamayuri, Kanoko lily, and Tamoto lily as parent plants, and named after the Moroccan city of Casablanca. It blooms from June to August and is very popular as a gift flower.
Trivia
- Named after the Moroccan city Casablanca, but actually derived from Japanese lily species
- Produces 4-8 flowers per stem, creating a very luxurious appearance
- Pollen is often removed before display to improve flower longevity
- Known as one of the most famous lily varieties in the world
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
- Garden planting for ornamental purposes
- Potted plant cultivation
Medicinal
- Used medicinally as 'Baihe' in Chinese medicine
Caution:
As an ornamental variety, medicinal use requires expert knowledge
Other
- Used for fragrance
- Used as cosmetic ingredient
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Leaves, Stems
Symptoms:
May cause mild gastrointestinal upset
Autumn Crocus
Meadow Saffron
Naked Lady
Colchicum
Scientific Name:
Colchicum autumnale
Family:
Colchicaceae
Flower Language
-
Dangerous beauty
-
Pleasant memories
-
Youth without regrets
Description
A bulbous plant native to central and southern Europe to North Africa, also known as Meadow Saffron. It produces beautiful pale purple or pink flowers in autumn without leaves, hence the English name 'Naked Lady'. However, the entire plant contains the deadly poison colchicine, and fatal poisoning cases have been reported. The flower meaning 'dangerous beauty' derives from this toxicity.
Trivia
- Caused 11 deaths between 2006-2016, making it more dangerous than monkshood
- The name 'Inu-saffron' means 'fake useless saffron'
- Frequently mistaken for wild garlic or onions, leading to poisoning accidents
- Has an unusual growth pattern where flowers appear without leaves in autumn, and leaves appear without flowers in spring
Uses
Ornamental
- Autumn garden ornamental
- Rock garden cultivation
- Potted bulb plant
Medicinal
- Used for gout treatment since ancient times
- Colchicine is still used in modern medicine
Caution:
Extremely poisonous - never attempt medicinal use without professional supervision
Culinary
Absolutely prohibited for consumption as entire plant is deadly poisonous
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
Entire plant, Bulb, Seeds, Leaves, Flowers
Symptoms:
Causes diarrhea, vomiting, skin numbness, respiratory distress, and can be fatal in severe cases
Mint
Peppermint
Spearmint
Mentha
Scientific Name:
Mentha spp.
Family:
Lamiaceae
Description
A perennial herb of the mint family native to Eurasia, with 42 species, 7 subspecies, and 7 varieties known. Most characteristic is its refreshing menthol fragrance, and it has been used as a medicinal plant since ancient times. There are many varieties including peppermint, spearmint, and apple mint, each with different fragrances and uses. It is believed to improve digestion and have anti-allergic effects, and is still widely used today.
Trivia
- Mint genus plants easily hybridize, making classification extremely difficult
- The cooling sensation of menthol is perceptual, not an actual temperature drop
- Ancient Romans had the custom of wearing mint crowns at banquets
- Hokkaido, Japan once accounted for 70% of world mint production
Uses
Ornamental
- Herb garden cultivation
- Ground cover use
- Container garden cultivation
Medicinal
- Digestive improvement
- Analgesic and sedative effects
- Anti-allergic effects
- Antiseptic and bactericidal effects
Caution:
Pennyroyal mint has hepatotoxicity and requires caution
Other
- Ingredient in toothpaste and breath freshening products
- Fragrance in cosmetics and soaps
- Natural insect repellent
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Common mint varieties are non-toxic, but pennyroyal mint requires caution