goldfish plant
Antirrhinum majus L. is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Scrophulariaceae family, native to the Mediterranean region. It is named after its flower shape resembling that of a goldfish and has both ornamental and medicinal value. It is a traditional Chinese medicine with the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, cooling blood, and reducing swelling. It can also be used to extract oil for consumption . 1、 Core morphological features Plant type: The plant is 20-70 centimeters tall, with an upright stem, sometimes woody at the base, and glandular hairs in the middle and upper parts. Leaf blade: oblong lanceolate, opposite at the lower part of the leaf, alternate at the upper part, hairless throughout the entire margin. Flowers: raceme inflorescence, corolla tube shaped lip shaped, base swollen into a sac like shape, upper lip upright with 2 slits, lower lip with 3 slits curved outward, rich in colors, covering white, light red, deep red, flesh color, dark yellow, etc. Some varieties are double petaled rhododendron flowers . 2、 Recommended popular varieties Floral Showers series: tetraploid dwarf species, with a plant height of 15-20 centimeters, strong branching, and particularly eye-catching two-color species (such as apricot yellow/white), suitable for potted plants or flower bed edging. Tahiti: a dwarf early flowering variety, with a plant height of 20-25 centimeters. It is a classic two-color variety such as purple/white and rose red/white, and blooms 10 days earlier than similar varieties. Sweetheart: a 15 centimeter ultra short plant with double petaled azaleas and a variety of colors, suitable for small spaces on windowsills and balconies. La Bella: a tall stem variety with a plant height of 45-50 centimeters, strong branching, full flower shape, bright colors, and can be used as a background for flower beds or cut flowers. Black Prince: The leaves are brownish red, the flowers are deep red and intense, the plant height is 40-45 centimeters, and the visual impact is strong. 3、 Key points of maintenance Temperature: prefers coolness, suitable temperature for growth is 7-10 ℃ from September to March of the following year, and 13-16 ℃ from March to September. Seedlings need a low temperature of 5 ℃ to pass through the vernalization stage. High temperature (over 25 ℃) can easily lead to non flowering and yellowing of stems and leaves. Light exposure: Strong preference for light, when there is sufficient sunlight, the plants are short and strong, with bright colors; A semi shaded environment is prone to overgrowth and fading colors. Soil: Prefer fertile, loose, well drained slightly acidic sandy loam soil, avoid waterlogging, otherwise the root system is prone to decay. Water and fertilizer: Keep the soil moist during the growth period, following the principle of "not dry, not water, water thoroughly"; Apply thin compound fertilizer every 10 days during the growth period, following the principle of "thin fertilizer application frequently". 4、 Flower Language and Cultural Connotation The flower language of Goldfish Grass is * * "Pure Heart" * *, which means "Forget sorrow, be pure and flawless, and have eternal beauty". It symbolizes a positive attitude of letting go of past troubles and embracing the present, as well as maintaining a pure and innocent state of mind towards the world. It combines the cultural connotations of "auspicious prosperity" in the East and "happiness and freedom" in the West