Diphylleia Grayi can be an excellent addition to your garden as the flower bears the unique transformation ability with hidden meaning you won’t find in any other flowers.
This amazing transformation of the flower allows it to attract pollinators that love water and moist environments.
So, if you want to grow this amazing flower to add unique aesthetics from spring to summer, go through this article till the end.
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What Does Diphylleia Grayi Look Like?
Diphylleia Grayi is a very unique and unusual plant with delicate white petals. Between those incredibly beautiful petals, you can see a yellow center covered with pollens.
This herbaceous perennial reaches about 12-18 inches tall and spread about 1-3 feet wide. In the spring, the wide, fan-shaped leaves appear with serrated margins.
You can see the blossoms appearing in June-July with clusters of 4-5 flowers per plant.
It’s because the skeleton flower has very delicate blossoms. Moreover, the petals contain compounds that dissolve in water.
However, you can see them returning to their original state when the flower dries after some time.
This amazing flower is native to Japan and is a rare flower. So, you cannot find this flower outside Japan.
Apart from the astonishing beauty, parts of this plant, including stem, leaves, and flowers, is poisonous and can cause gastrointestinal disorder.
Although the fruits are edible, it’s not a good idea to consume anything without the proper evidence.
Diphylleia Grayi Meaning & Symbolism
The skeleton flower has various symbolic meanings in Japanese culture. Due to its alluring appearance, it represents beauty.
Moreover, the beautiful white petals are a symbol of peace and harmony. The delicate petals also indicate the delicacy of nature.
Furthermore, the transparent nature of the flower during wetness also symbolizes transformations. Diphylleia Grayi gives the meaning that nature can transform itself into different appearances.
In the Japanese Myth, the Diphylleia Grayi flower is the tears of Godness Jizo. Ancient people believe that when the god cries for the dead children, his tears turn into a skeleton flower after reaching the ground.
There is also a spiritual meaning to this flower. As the flower turns transparent, people also call it a ghost flower.
This flower returns every year and is the symbol of hope, renewal, and new beginnings.
In Japanese culture, many people use this flower to worship God on different religious occasions.
How To Grow Diphylleia Grayi?
Growing Diphylleia Grayi is difficult as it’s hard to find seedlings outside Japan. Moreover, the growing conditions are also specific and difficult to maintain.
However, if you are into growing this rare plant, plant it in a well-draining soil, amending it with organic compost. Also, start the seeds or seedlings in a terracotta pot with enough drainage holes.
- Choose a location with partial shade and prepare the soil. Ensure the soil is well-draining but not too sandy.
- You must start planting the flower during early spring or fall.
- Plant the skeleton flower, spacing them 10-12 inches apart. If you wish to plant them in pot, plant one seedling per pot.
- Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Water only when the soil becomes 1-2 inches dry, as overwatering may lead to root rot.
- This slow-growing plant will reach the flowering stage within 2-3 years.
- During the growing season, fertilize the plant every 15 days with a balanced fertilizer.
- Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage heavy blossoms.
- As the plant is susceptible to pests and pathogens, use pesticides, fungicides, or neem oil to protect them.
From Editorial Team
Diphylleia Grayi Fruit!
Upon maturity, skeleton flowers bear blueish-purple fruits that taste slightly sweet and sour. The fruits are the size of blueberries but aren’t as tasty as them.
In Japan, people use this as a traditional medicine to treat digestive problems and loss of appetite. However, there is not much research about its medicinal properties.
