Mokushungiku/Margaret
Botan
Shakunage/Rhododendron
Shakunage/Rhododendron
– Pictures sent by Mr. Noriyuki Otsuka taken in his garden –
Note: 1. マーガレット（英: Marguerite:マーガリート、学名：Argyranthemum frutescens）は、キク科の半耐寒性多年草。和名(Japanese name)はモクシュンギク（木春菊: moku-shungiku), origin in Canary Islands.
Different from フランスギク属のシャスターデージー (Shasta Daisy: Leucanthemum
x superbum) やフランスギク Leucanthemum vulgare とよく混同される。何年も越冬できて大株になってくると茎が木質化し、低木のようになる。繁殖は挿し芽による。
色々な花の咲き方があり、真ん中におしべ、めしばがありその周りに花びらがついている咲き方や、全体に花びらが付いている、オペラ咲きなどがある。
マーガレットの花言葉 (Flower language)は「恋を占う」「心に秘めた愛」(Love hidden in the heart)「貞節」(chastity)「誠実」(sincerity)。
2. In Japan, Paeonia lactiflora used to be called ebisu-gusuri (or shakuyaku” foreign medicine”). Pronunciation of 牡丹 (peony) in Japan is “botan (tree and split leaf type).” In kampo (the Japanese adaptation of Chinese medicine), its root was used as a treatment for convulsions. It is also cultivated as a garden plant. In Japan Paeonia suffruticosa is called the “King of Flowers” and Paeonia lactiflora is called the “Prime Minister of Flowers.”
The peony is among the longest-used flowers in Eastern culture and is one of the smallest living creature national emblems in China. Along with the plum blossom, it is a traditional floral symbol of China, where the Paeonia suffruticosa is called 牡丹 (mǔdān). It is also known as 富貴花 (fùguìhuā) “flower of riches and honour” or 花王 (huawang) “king of the flowers”, and is used symbolically in Chinese art. In 1903, the Qing Dynasty declared the peony as the national flower. Currently, the Republic of China on Taiwan designates the plum blossom as the national flower, while the People’s Republic of China has no legally designated national flower. In 1994, the peony was proposed as the national flower after a nationwide poll, but the National People’s Congress failed to ratify the selection. In 2003, another selection process has begun, but to date, no choice has been made.
The ancient Chinese city Luoyang has a reputation as a cultivation centre for the peonies. Throughout Chinese history, peonies in Luoyang have been said to be the finest in the country. Dozens of peony exhibitions and shows are still held there annually.
3. Rhododendron (from Ancient Greek ῥόδον rhódon “rose” and δένδρον déndron “tree”) is a genus of over 1,000 species of woody plants in the heath family, either evergreen or deciduous. Most species have showy flowers.
Azaleas make up two subgenera of Rhododendron. They are distinguished from “true” rhododendrons by having only five anthers per flower.