# Taiwan Wildflowers and Weeds **URL:** \ **Category:** Science & Nature\ **Tags:** plants, wildlife\ **Created:** [December 24, 2009, 11:23am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676 "2009-12-24T11:23:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Chris](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/958977/32.png) [@Chris](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 9:35am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/61 "2010-01-13T09:35:33Z")
Perhaps it’s one of the flowers on this page: [plant.climb.com.tw/modules/media … A%E7%A7%91](http://plant.climb.com.tw/modules/mediawiki/index.php/%E8%8F%8A%E7%A7%91) ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/958977/32.png) [@Chris](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/62 "2010-01-24T13:50:22Z")
> [@Dragonbones](#): > > I’m interested in learning to identify local plants and flowers that can be used for dyeing wool, cotton, silk and linen. I know how to handle mordants and the like; I just need to find the plants locally, and preferably free for the gathering, rather than importing madder root etc… > > I haven’t had time to start my homework on this one yet, but just thought I’d throw the topic out there, since we already have this thread, to see if anyone knows this kind of stuff. 🙏 DB, I was at the big Eslite behind the Taipei City Hall MRT station, and in their Plants section I saw a book entitled 台灣植物染圖鑑 (“A Guide to Natural Plant Dyeing in Taiwan”). Sounds exactly what you’re looking for. ---
**Author:** ![Dragonbones](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/dragonbones/32/1125_2.png) [@Dragonbones](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Dragonbones)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2010, 2:33pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/63 "2010-01-24T14:33:22Z")
Definitely! Thanks a million, Chris! :discodance: ---
**Author:** ![rice\_t](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/a9adbd/32.png) [@rice\_t](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/rice_t)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2010, 6:35am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/64 "2010-01-25T06:35:18Z")
I saw this the other day. First I thought it was a thrown away leftover of some fruit. Anyone? ![](http://www.rhine-wine.com/pics/misc/Photo0436.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![urodacus](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/urodacus/32/69843_2.png) [@urodacus](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/urodacus)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2010, 6:59am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/65 "2010-01-25T06:59:54Z")
I think that plant is some kind of Datura, and should not be eaten or handled. The leaves are unlike any I can find in herbals, but there are several giveaways that show it as a Datura, especially the seed pod that dehisces like that one has. However, the stem and leaves and the prostrate habit look more like a squash of some kind. But Datura are well known for their tendency to grow into all weird kinds of leaf and stem shape, depending on their environment and nutrient and water supply. Deadly nightshade (aka belladonna) and Jimson weed are other Datura plants. Jimson weed, aka thorn apple (Datura stramonium and D. wrightii) is found in Taiwan, as is Datura metel and I think also D. inoxia (Indian thorn-apple). There are also some tree Datura in the north of Taiwan (Brugmansia suaveolens, escaped ornamental orig. from South America) ---
**Author:** ![rice\_t](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/a9adbd/32.png) [@rice\_t](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/rice_t)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2010, 8:47am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/66 "2010-01-25T08:47:07Z")
Ha, I found it. It is in fact the ripe fruit of the or balsam pear or bitter gourd/melon, the green variety that they call shan1 ku3 gua1 山苦瓜 [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitter\_melon](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitter_melon) [freshfromyouryard.org/2009/10/15 … charantia/](http://freshfromyouryard.org/2009/10/15/balsam-pear-momordica-charantia/) [hljh.tcc.edu.tw/teach/%E6%A0 … %93%9C.htm](http://www.hljh.tcc.edu.tw/teach/%E6%A0%A1%E5%9C%92%E6%A4%8D%E7%89%A9/%E5%B1%B1%E8%8B%A6%E7%93%9C/%E5%B1%B1%E8%8B%A6%E7%93%9C.htm) ---
**Author:** ![urodacus](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/urodacus/32/69843_2.png) [@urodacus](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/urodacus)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2010, 9:22am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/67 "2010-01-25T09:22:23Z")
Yup, you got me! it’s a bitter melon (goya here in OKinawa) I never see them in that state: all eaten when green. Sorry to have steered you wrong (though i had a suspicion it was some kind of squash!) ---
**Author:** ![Wookiee](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Wookiee](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Wookiee)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2010, 1:25pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/68 "2010-01-25T13:25:06Z")
Actually, it’s not the bitter melon eaten here, but its “cousin.” It’s quite tiny, but just as bitter. Where I’m from a tea is made from the leaves and it’s drunk for all sorts of ailments. ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/958977/32.png) [@Chris](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/69 "2010-02-27T15:39:26Z")
If you ever come across this, don’t eat it. Hell, it’s advisable not to even touch it! Oleander (Nerium oleander), one of the most poisonous plants on the face of the earth. ![](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4391715039_d0ecf6bcc4.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Volviic](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/58f4c7/32.png) [@Volviic](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Volviic)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2010, 2:51am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/70 "2010-03-02T02:51:28Z")
For a pretty good list of Taiwan flora books see [booksfromtaiwan.com/Flora\_Books.html](http://booksfromtaiwan.com/Flora_Books.html) . If you are a long-term or regular [Forumosa.com](http://Forumosa.com) contributor send me a pm for deep discounts. In the middle of compiling addendums for some of the titles (including the 2 below) giving Common (English) names, and key info in English. I find A Field Guide to Plants in Rural Community published by the Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute (TESRI) to be excellent - a very good selection of commonly seen Taiwan plants, good images. Bad index if you don’t read Chinese, but still very useful. For something to carry at all times, the pocket sized Common Trees of Taiwan from Taipei Wild Bird Society does the trick. ---
**Author:** ![BAH](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BAH](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/BAH)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2010, 3:17am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/71 "2010-03-02T03:17:42Z")
For Chinese names: The first purple flower (morning glory): 牽牛花 qian1niu2hua1. Literally “leading cow (like to pasture or herding) flower.” Not sure why but maybe it climbs everywhere? The “shy grass” (mimosa pudica): 含羞草 han2xiu1cao3. Literally “shy grass.” ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Nagel](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Mark\_Nagel](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Mark_Nagel)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 12:49pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/72 "2010-05-16T12:49:14Z")
During the last few weeks, I’ve seen hundreds of beautiful red and yellow flowers that are now blooming: ![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HdGDv8e7YHI/S-_nbP-WHpI/AAAAAAAAACg/fdsgMNOzm6E/s640/DSCN0334.JPG) They tend to grow in clusters, like this: ![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HdGDv8e7YHI/S-_rhI16QEI/AAAAAAAAADI/sdHBPcSGzqk/s640/DSCN0362.JPG) I’ve only seen these flowers very close to the beach, so I guess they probably only grow in sandy soil. If anyone knows the English name and/or the Chinese name of these flowers, please let me know. ---
**Author:** ![Jah\_Lynnie](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/7ea924/32.png) [@Jah\_Lynnie](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Jah_Lynnie)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 1:45pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/73 "2010-05-16T13:45:40Z")
Fire Wheel (Gaillardia Pulchella) A Field Guide to Wild Flowers of Taiwan in Spring and Summer. Page 170. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Nagel](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Mark\_Nagel](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Mark_Nagel)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 8:03am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/74 "2010-05-17T08:03:13Z")
> [@Jah Lynnie](#): > > Fire Wheel (Gaillardia Pulchella) > > A Field Guide to Wild Flowers of Taiwan in Spring and Summer. > > Page 170. Thanks a lot! Do you know the Chinese name too? Also, here’s another unidentified wildflower that I saw near the beach last week: ![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HdGDv8e7YHI/S_D314TYnsI/AAAAAAAAADo/zybCJHzZhKA/s640/DSCN0344.JPG) It’s only about 2 cm in diameter. Does anyone know what kind of flower this is? ---
**Author:** ![keroliver](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/ec9cab/32.png) [@keroliver](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/keroliver)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2017, 1:56am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/75 "2017-12-09T01:56:14Z")
I downloaded and tried an app to recognize plants PlantNet App Not bad… In most cases, it gave me 3 or 4 creditable choices It depends mainly on the quality of the photo ---
**Author:** ![HenHaoChi](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/henhaochi/32/237620_2.png) [@HenHaoChi](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/HenHaoChi)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 12:00am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676/76 "2022-11-17T00:00:23Z")
A lot of weeds are edible, and highly nutritious. What is a weed? It’s tough, hardy and grows relentlessly… I’d also like to know how to identify nettles, kudzu, and various mimosa variants… [Previous page](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-wildflowers-and-weeds/55676.md?page=3)