Cymbidium
Boat Orchid
Scientific Name:
Cymbidium hybrida
Family:
Orchidaceae
Flower Language
-
unpretentious heart
-
gorgeous love
-
noble beauty
Description
Cymbidium is a perennial orchid native to Southeast Asia. The flowers last well and can be enjoyed for over a month. The name comes from Greek words meaning 'boat' and 'form', referring to the shape of the lip petal. Since its introduction to Britain in 1789, new species have been discovered continuously, and there are now over 3,000 varieties. It is one of the world's four major orchids and ranks second in shipping volume after Phalaenopsis.
Trivia
- The world's oldest orchid fossil is about 15 million years old
- Also the national flower of Singapore
- Precious as only one flower spike emerges per year
- Flowers come in various colors including white, pink, yellow, and green
Uses
Ornamental
- Long-lasting cut flowers
- Perfect for indoor decoration in pots
- Wedding and party decorations
Medicinal
- In traditional Chinese medicine, believed to have fever-reducing effects
- Roots used as traditional medicine ingredients
Caution:
Avoid medicinal use without professional knowledge
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Used as fragrance material
- Ingredient in luxury cosmetics
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic
North Pole
Chrysanthemum
Leucanthemum paludosum
Scientific Name:
Leucanthemum paludosum
Family:
Asteraceae
Flower Language
-
I adore you
-
sincerity
-
nobility
Characteristics
Colors:
white
Description
North Pole is an annual plant of the Asteraceae family native to North Africa, producing small white daisy-like flowers about 3cm in diameter with yellow centers. It is cold-hardy and blooms for an extended period from winter to early summer, making it a valuable gardening material for brightening up the flower-scarce winter season. The plant grows in a ball shape and covers itself with flowers at peak bloom. The name was originally a variety name from seed company 'Sakata no Tane' but has now become established as a common name.
Trivia
- Has a distinctive odor described as 'intense cheese smell'
- Rare example of a seed company variety name becoming common name
- Flowers covering the entire plant reminiscent of the North Pole
- Blooms for an extended period from December to May
Uses
Ornamental
- Winter garden color
- Container planting material
- Cut flower use
Medicinal
- Folk remedy for cold symptoms
- External use for skin problems
Caution:
Avoid medicinal use without professional knowledge
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Pressed flower material
- Dried flower arrangements
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Mild
Toxic Parts:
Entire plant
Symptoms:
May cause skin irritation upon contact
Japanese Fir
Momi Fir
Japanese Silver Fir
Scientific Name:
Abies firma
Family:
Pinaceae
Description
Japanese Fir is an endemic evergreen conifer of the Pinaceae family native to Japan, growing as a tall tree reaching over 30 meters in height. With its neat conical shape and evergreen nature, it has long been treated as a sacred plant. Widely beloved as a Christmas tree, its evergreen nature makes it a 'symbol of eternal life'. It blooms in May and produces large cones in autumn.
Trivia
- Distributed in the warmest regions among native Abies species in Japan
- Christmas tree origin traces to ancient Germanic evergreen tree worship
- Flowers and fruits only once every 2-3 years
- Some individuals can live for several hundred years
Uses
Ornamental
- Christmas trees
- Garden trees
- Park and street trees
Medicinal
- Bark used in folk medicine
- Needles used as bath additives
Caution:
Avoid medicinal use without professional knowledge
Culinary
Not suitable for consumption
Other
- Construction material
- Furniture wood
- Pulp material
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Non-toxic
Japanese Mistletoe
Mistletoe
Viscum
Scientific Name:
Viscum album subsp. coloratum
Family:
Santalaceae
Flower Language
-
overcoming difficulties
-
conquest
-
patience
Description
Japanese Mistletoe is an evergreen perennial plant that parasitizes the branches of other trees. It doesn't root in the ground but obtains nutrients from host trees while also performing photosynthesis, making it a semi-parasitic plant. Its branches are green and fork into two or three parts, with thick opposite leaves. It's dioecious, producing small yellow flowers in February-March and semi-transparent pale yellow fruits in autumn. In Europe, it's associated with the 'kiss under the mistletoe' legend and is beloved as Christmas decoration.
Trivia
- Seeds are dispersed to other trees through bird droppings
- Grows only one node per year, taking over 20 years to become large
- Strange property of germinating only from tree bark, not from soil
- Called 'golden bough' in Europe and considered sacred
Uses
Ornamental
- Christmas decorations
- Wreath materials
- Winter decorations
Medicinal
- Traditionally used for cancer treatment in Europe
- Believed to have blood pressure lowering effects
- Immune system enhancement effects under research
Caution:
Toxic - do not use without medical supervision
Culinary
Toxic - not suitable for consumption
Other
- Research pharmaceutical material
- Decorative dried arrangements
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
Entire plant, Especially berries
Symptoms:
Severe toxic symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, and breathing difficulties