Oreomecon rubroaurantiaca

Oreomecon rubroaurantiaca is a plant in the family Papaveraceae, native to Northeast Asia. It primarily grows in subalpine or subarctic biomes, often in high‑altitude environments. Formerly known as Papaver rubroaurantiacum, it was transferred to the genus Oreomecon. This genus was established in 2022 for taxa previously treated as Papaver section Meconella in order to ensure that the genus Papaver is monophyletic. The genus name Oreomecon derives from the Ancient Greek words oros (“mountain”) and mecon (“poppy”), reflecting the plant’s typical habitat.

Hemerocallis minor

Hemerocallis minor, also known as dwarf daylily, grassleaf lily, and small daylily, is a plant in the family Asphodelaceae, native to Siberia, Mongolia, China, and Korea. Despite their common name, daylilies are not true lilies (plants of the genus Lilium, family Liliaceae). Although the flowers of Hemerocallis and Lilium species have a similar shape, their growth habits, stems, and leaf shapes are distinctive. The genus name Hemerocallis derives from the Ancient Greek words hemera (“day”) and kalos (“beautiful”), reflecting the fact that the flower typically blooms for only one day, usually opening around sunrise. The flowers are used in Chinese cuisine. In traditional medicine, the species is used to treat acute gastroenteritis, burns, parasitic diseases, and liver disease. Additionally, daylilies are among the most popular garden plants in North America.

Scabiosa comosa

Scabiosa comosa, commonly known as the northeastern scabious, is a plant in the family Caprifoliaceae, native to southern Siberia, Mongolia, northern China, and Korea. The generic name Scabiosa derives from the Latin scabiosus (“mangy, rough, or itchy”), referring to the plant’s traditional use in folk medicine for treating scabies. The inflorescences appear as a dense capitulum, ranging in colour from pale blue to light purple. Although it looks like a single flower, the capitulum is actually made up of many small florets. The protruding styles resemble pins stuck in a cushion, which explains the alternative common name pincushion flower. Scabiosa comosa is the national symbol of Mongolia.

Lilium pumilum

Lilium pumilum, commonly known as coral lily or low lily, is a plant in the family Liliaceae, native to Siberia, Mongolia, northern China, and Korea. The specific epithet pumilum is a commonly used term in botanical nomenclature: it translates as “dwarfish” and is frequently employed to distinguish a small species or variety from larger members of the same genus. In Taiwan, both the flowers and the bulbs are used as food.

Scorzonera radiata

Scorzonera radiata is a plant in the family Asteraceae, widely distributed in Northeast Asia. The generic name Scorzonera derives from the Italian scorza nera (“black bark” or “black rind”), referring to the dark outer appearance of the edible root. Some sources also trace the term to the Old French word scorzon, which denotes a venomous snake; historically, the plant was used as an antidote for snake bites, hence the common name viper’s grass. Scorzonera radiata is used in traditional Mongolian medicine to treat fever induced by bacterial and viral infections.

Gentianopsis barbata

Gentianopsis barbata, commonly known as fringed gentian, is a plant in the family Gentianaceae, native to the Himalayas, Siberia, Mongolia, China, and Korea. The genus name traces back to Gentiana, a name traditionally associated with King Gentius of Illyria, whom the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder mentioned in connection with the medicinal use of gentian roots. Gentianopsis itself means “resembling Gentiana”, reflecting its close relationship to that genus. The species is used in traditional Tibetan medicine for its anti‑inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties.

Ongon

Ongons serve as spirit houses in the shamanic traditions of Mongolia and Siberia. Common materials used in their construction include wood, leather, felt, stone, paper, fur, feathers, straw, and metal. The forms of ongons vary considerably: some are highly abstract, while others are markedly more realistic. Although ordinary people may create an ongon, it is activated by a shaman, who summons a spirit to inhabit it. Most ongons house ancestor or animal spirits; however, some contain powerful nature spirits or the souls of esteemed shamans. Since most ongon spirits are believed to have previously lived as humans or animals, they are thought to retain human‑like emotions and memories, and thus are treated with respect. Once empowered by a shaman, an ongon is placed in the sacred area of a ger (the traditional round felt tent of nomadic peoples, often referred to as a yurt in the West) and offered sustenance in the form of liquor, blood, milk, or fat. When a spirit is no longer required or desired, the ongon is either respectfully burned or returned to nature, allowing the spirit to rejoin the natural world from which it was summoned.

Geranium transbaicalicum

Geranium transbaicalicum is a plant in the family Geraniaceae, native to the Transbaikal region near Lake Baikal. It is sometimes treated as a subspecies of Geranium pratense (Geranium pratense subsp. transbaicalicum) or as a distinct, closely related species. The species belongs to the genus Geranium, commonly referred to as “true geraniums” or “cranesbills” to distinguish it from Pelargonium. The generic name Geranium is derived from the Ancient Greek geranos (“crane”). The English common name “cranesbill” refers to the resemblance of the fruit capsule in some species to a crane’s head and bill: the ovary forms the head, and the elongated stigma creates the appearance of a beak. In traditional Tibetan medicine, the roots of this plant are used to treat influenza‑related fevers.

Lilium pensylvanicum

Lilium pensylvanicum, sometimes called the Siberian lily, is a plant in the family Liliaceae, native to Siberia, Mongolia, northeastern China, Korea, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, and Hokkaido. The Latin epithet is misleading: it suggests a North American origin (Pennsylvania), but this stems from an error made by the botanist John Bellenden Ker. In 1809, Ker published a corrigendum in which he attempted to rename Lilium pensylvanicum as Lilium dauricum, after Dauria, a region near Lake Baikal. This renaming engendered considerable confusion and was subsequently formally rejected. Cultivated for its striking flowers, Lilium pensylvanicum serves as a popular ornamental plant.

Linaria melampyroides

Linaria melampyroides is a plant in the genus Linaria, native to the Transbaikal region in eastern Siberia. The genus Linaria was traditionally placed in the family Scrophulariaceae; phylogenetic analyses have now assigned it to the expanded family Plantaginaceae. Members of the genus are commonly known as toadflax, a name shared with several related genera. The term “toad” in toadflax may relate to the historical use of these plants in the treatment of bubonic plague. A false etymological link has been drawn between the term bubo (an infected, swollen lymph node) and Bufo (a genus of toads). The scientific name Linaria means “resembling Linum” (flax), as the foliage of some species superficially resembles that of flax.

Bauta

The Bauta is closely associated with the Carnival of Venice, as it is the principal type of mask worn during the festivities. It was also employed on numerous other occasions as a means of concealing the wearer’s identity and social status. This enabled the wearer to act more freely when interacting with other members of society, outside the constraints imposed by social identity and everyday convention. Consequently, the mask served a variety of purposes: some were illicit or criminal, while others were merely personal — such as facilitating romantic encounters. The most distinctive feature of the Bauta is its prominent, beak‑like chin, which juts out sharply from the face. This design permitted the wearer to speak, eat, and drink without removing the mask, rendering it a practical choice for extended gatherings and social events. The mask was typically paired with a black cloak, known as a tabarro, and a tricorn hat. These accessories further obscured the wearer’s identity and enhanced the overall sense of mystery and anonymity.

Potentilla tanacetifolia

Potentilla tanacetifolia, also called tansy‑leaved cinquefoil, is a plant in the family Rosaceae, native to Northeast Asia. The genus name Potentilla derives from the Latin potens (“powerful”), alluding to the plant’s reputed medicinal strength; the specific epithet tanacetifolia combines Tanacetum (the name of another genus) with the Latin folia (“leaves”), indicating that its foliage resembles that of tansy. In traditional medicine, particularly in Mongolia and China, Potentilla tanacetifolia is used to treat blood disorders, inflammation, and infections.

Iris uniflora

Iris uniflora is a plant in the family Iridaceae, native to Tibet, Siberia, Mongolia, China, and Korea. The genus name Iris derives from the Greek word iris (“rainbow”), which also designates Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Some authors suggest that the name alludes to the wide variety of flower colours found among species of the genus. The specific epithet uniflora comes from Latin uni‑ (“one”) and flos (“flower”), indicating that the plant typically bears a single flower. Iris uniflora is used in traditional Tibetan medicine to treat visual impairments and ringworm.

Sonchus arvensis

Sonchus arvensis, commonly known as field sowthistle, perennial sow‑thistle, corn sow thistle, dindle, gutweed, swine thistle, or tree sow thistle, is a plant in the family Asteraceae, native to Eurasia, where it is widespread across much of the continent. The species has also become naturalized in many other regions and is considered an invasive noxious weed in some areas, including North America, New Zealand, and Australia. The genus name Sonchus comes from the Ancient Greek sonchos, a term for a kind of wild lettuce; the specific epithet arvensis means “of the field” in Latin, reflecting the plant’s typical habitat.

Camaquen

Small anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figurines were produced in Inca times for ritual offerings. They were offered to huacas (sacred places). According to Quechua belief, every object possessed a physical presence and two camaquen (spirits): one responsible for its creation and the other for imbuing it with life. People would invoke these spirits to ensure the object’s proper functioning. Offerings were placed in caches beneath temple floors, buried at the base of significant rock formations, or submerged in water sources believed to channel spiritual power. The act of offering was not merely a gesture of devotion but a mechanism for establishing reciprocal relationships between humans and deities. The figurines served as mediators between the human and supernatural realms.

Gagea pauciflora

Gagea pauciflora is a plant in the family Liliaceae, native to Siberia, Mongolia, and northern China. The genus is named after the English naturalist Sir Thomas Gage (1781–1820). The specific epithet pauciflora derives from the Latin words paucus (“few”) and flos (“flower”), reflecting the species’ characteristic inflorescence, which bears only 1–3 flowers. Gagea pauciflora was first described as a new species under the name Plecostigma pauciflorum by Nikolai Turczaninow in 1844. In 1854, Carl Friedrich von Ledebour transferred the species to the genus Gagea, establishing the currently accepted name.

Stellera chamaejasme

Stellera is a genus of flowering plants in the family Thymelaeaceae, comprising a single species, Stellera chamaejasme, which is found in mountainous regions of northern and western Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, the state of Uttar Pradesh (India), Siberia, and Mongolia. The generic name Stellera (not to be confused with the entirely unrelated Stellaria) commemorates Georg Wilhelm Steller (1709–1746), while the specific epithet chamaejasme is a rendering into botanical Latin orthography of the Greek khamai (“on the ground”) and iasme (“jasmine”). This plant is highly poisonous.

Lilium pumilum

Lilium pumilum, also known as coral lily, low lily, or lipstick lily, is a plant in the family Liliaceae, native to grassy mountainous areas of Northeast Asia. The plant is edible and has a history of use as a food source, particularly in China and Mongolia. In addition to their culinary use, the bulbs are traditionally employed in East Asian cultures as a medicinal remedy for coughs and insomnia, and are valued as a tonic agent.

Polygonatum odoratum

Polygonatum odoratum, commonly known as angular Solomon’s seal or scented Solomon’s seal, is a plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Nepal, Siberia, Mongolia, China, Korea, and Japan. The genus name Polygonatum derives from the Greek words poly (“many”) and gonu (“knee joint”), in reference to the plant’s jointed rhizomes. The Latin specific epithet odoratum (“scented”) is commonly used in botany to describe highly aromatic plants. Polygonatum odoratum is used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine; in Korea, the root is used to prepare tea.

Solanum kitagawae

Solanum kitagawae, also known as Kitagawa’s nightshade, is a plant in the family Solanaceae, native to Northeast Asia. The generic name Solanum was first used by Pliny the Elder (23–79 CE) for a plant also known as strychnos, most likely Solanum nigrum. There is no consensus on the origin of the name. Solanum kitagawae is named after Masao Kitagawa (1910–1995), a Japanese botanist and pteridologist. Most parts of the plant, particularly the green tissues and unripe fruit, are toxic to humans.

Vicia unijuga

Vicia unijuga, commonly called two‑leaf vetch, is a plant in the family Fabaceae, native to Siberia, Mongolia, China, Korea, and Japan, where it is widespread. The genus name Vicia originates from the Latin term for vetch; the specific epithet unijuga combines the Latin uni‑ (“one”) and jugum (“pair”), referring to the plant’s single‑paired leaflets. The species exhibits considerable morphological variation, and several forms and varieties have been described.

Clouds

“There came a day when the clouds drifting along with the wind aroused a wanderlust in me, and I set off on a journey to roam along the seashores.”
— Matsuo Bashō

Pulsatilla turczaninovii

Pulsatilla turczaninovii is a plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to Siberia, Mongolia, and northern China. The common name pasque flower, derived from the Old French pasque (“Easter”), reflects the spring flowering period of Pulsatilla, which usually coincides with Easter. The species is named after Nikolai Turczaninow (1796–1864), a Russian botanist and plant collector. The entire plant, including stems, leaves, and floral parts, is densely covered in silky, persistent hairs, which serve as an adaptation to provide insulation against cold temperatures in early‑spring conditions.

Papilio machaon

Papilio machaon, the Old World swallowtail, is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae. It is also known as the common yellow swallowtail or simply the swallowtail. It is the type species of the genus Papilio. This widespread species occurs throughout much of the Palearctic region. The species is named after Machaon, a figure in Greek mythology and a son of Asclepius mentioned in the works of Homer. The larva initially resembles a bird dropping, which serves as an effective camouflage against predators. As it grows, the caterpillar becomes green with black and orange markings. Its defensive mechanism includes an osmeterium: a pair of retractable, fleshy projections behind the head that release a foul‑smelling secretion when disturbed, deterring potential predators.

Chelidonium majus

Chelidonium majus subsp. grandiflorum, commonly known as greater celandine, is a plant in the family Papaveraceae, native to Siberia, China, and Korea. The vernacular name celandine derives from Late Latin celidonia, from earlier Latin chelidonia or chelidonium, and ultimately from Ancient Greek chelidon (“swallow”); hence the common name swallowwort. In the grandiflorum subspecies, the flowers are larger than in the nominate subspecies, which reflects the meaning of the epithet grandiflorum (“large‑flowered”). Historically, the plant has been applied in folk medicine as a topical remedy for warts.

Chamaenerion angustifolium

Chamaenerion angustifolium, also known by the taxonomic synonyms Chamerion angustifolium and Epilobium angustifolium, is a plant in the family Onagraceae, native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The species is known by several common names: in North America as fireweed; in parts of Canada as great willowherb; in Britain and Ireland as rosebay willowherb; and traditionally as Saint Anthony’s laurel. The generic name Chamaenerion comes from the Greek words chamai (“low to the ground” or “dwarf”) and nerion (“oleander”), evoking the image of a dwarf oleander. This is complemented by the Latin specific epithet angustifolium (“narrow‑leaved”). The common name fireweed derives from the species’ propensity to colonize burnt sites following forest fires. In Russia, the leaves have traditionally been used to prepare an herbal infusion known as Ivan‑Chai (“Ivan‑Tea”). The plant has a long history of use in traditional medicine.

Bench

“There are stories in everything. I’ve got some of my best yarns from park benches, lampposts, and newspaper stands.”
— O. Henry

Vicia amoena

Vicia amoena, commonly known as the lovely vetch, is a plant in the family Fabaceae, widely distributed in Siberia, Mongolia, northern China, Korea, and Japan. The generic name Vicia means “binder” in Latin; this term was used by Pliny the Elder to denote vetch. The specific epithet amoena means “pleasant” or “charming” in Latin, alluding to the plant’s appearance. In Korea, the young leaves and shoots are consumed as namul, a traditional side dish.

Rosa davurica

Rosa davurica, commonly known as the Amur rose, is a plant in the family Rosaceae, native to eastern Siberia, Mongolia, northern China, Korea, Sakhalin, and Japan. The specific epithet davurica is a geographical descriptor derived from Dauria, a historical region in Siberia where the species is naturally found. The fruit of Rosa davurica, referred to as Cimeiguo in Chinese, is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, notably vitamins A, C, and E, flavonoids, and other bioactive compounds. It also contains essential fatty acids — a feature not typical for fruits.

Bateba

The Lobi people live mainly in Burkina Faso, with smaller groups residing in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Despite the significant Islamic influence in the surrounding region, the Lobi have largely maintained their animistic beliefs. For the Lobi, bateba (“wooden carved figures”) function as protective house spirits. Carving bateba figures is not restricted to individuals with specialized training; anyone may learn the practice. Consequently, the figures exhibit considerable stylistic variation. There are several distinct types of bateba. Bateba Phuwe are considered ordinary figures, as they lack a specific defining posture and are often depicted standing with arms held straight down. These figures may serve various purposes, including protection, promoting prosperity, and bringing good fortune to the family. Bateba Ti Bala are regarded as extraordinary figures due to their more specific functions and greater level of detail. This category includes the subtypes Thil Dorka, Betise, and Kuddu. Thil Dorka figures have two heads, symbolizing a deity capable of seeing in multiple directions simultaneously; this attribute renders them especially powerful. Betise figures depict a man and a woman in an intimate embrace; they are believed to help men find a wife and to protect women from sterility. Kuddu figures depict women with rounded bellies and are used in fertility rituals. Bateba Ti Puo (also known as Bateba Duntundara) are classified as dangerous figures because they are thought to block harmful forces such as disease and witchcraft. They are typically shown with one or both arms raised. Bateba Bambar, referred to as “paralyzed” figures, depict a person with legs stretched out in front, mimicking paralysis. These are commonly used as talismans to ward off illness and misfortune. A distinctive subset of bateba is known as Bateba Yadawora, literally “sad” figures. Their expressions and postures are believed to embody sadness and mourning, thereby absorbing such emotions from their owners. They may also serve as reminders to viewers of the fragility of human life.