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Morning Glory
Many Japanese houses have Morning Glory in summer. We used to learn how
to grow it in our primary school days. The first botanical study was this
flower. We kept a diary of observation of morning glory. The timing was
perfect in the summer vacation. |
Canna
In my neighborhood, there was a house with
canna bushes. We played hide-and-seek there. |
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Snake Gourd
This flower opens after dark. It is a magic.
And in autumn, it has colorful fruits. We do not eat, but decorate them
hanging on the wall.
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Balloon Flower
White, blue, sometimes pink.
This is much favored in Japanese art
as a motif of painting or literature
as a symbol of early autumn. |
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Dahlia
This flower was introduced to Japan in Edo Period. Japanese people adored
Dahlia as Western culture. Only rich people could afford it. |
Confererate Rose
High on the tree, this flower blooms in the morning, and gradually changing
its color to pink or red, and
ends its short life only in one day. |
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Clerodendron
Red and white parts in one flower. In Japan, red and white colors mean
Heike and Genji, like British Wars of the Roses. |
Touch -me-not
If you touch this flower,
it flies the seeds far.
Girls mashed the red flowers and
colored their nails. |
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Cock's comb
My grandmother loved this flower most of all.
I did not think this was pretty, and pulled out them one summer. Sorry,
Grandma.
Now I like this too. |
Althea
In tea ceremony, this is much used.
Probably because the short life of this flower symbolizes the idea of Ichigo Ichie of tea ceremony. |
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Evening Primrose
After the sunset in high summer days, this yellow flower secretly opens
its petals.
My house was near the beach, and on the beach many of this flower were
seen.
Now this flower reminds me of my childhood. |
Arrow Root
The vine of this plant is used to weave cloth, and its root is edible with
much medical effects. |
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Trumpet Creeper
Sometimes it creeps up 30 meters high!
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Persian Silk Tree
This flower sleeps after dark, closing its wings
like soft, gentle whiskers. |
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Chlorophytum
Light green leaves with white small flowers.
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Patrinia
In full bloom, it smells bad.
But still this flower is loved
and used much for Bon Festival. |
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Four O'clock
When this flower opens its petals, we children must go home for supper. |
Fringed Orchid
Japanese name "Sagi-sou" means Stork Flower. |
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Crape Myrtle
Chinese, Korean, and Japanese names are all same character, meaning 100days
Red. |
Water Lily
Amazingly beautiful if we find them
unexpectedly in a pond deep in the mountain. |
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Pomegranate
 Auspicious plant in Asia because of its abundant seeds. |
