도라지 (Platycodon grandiflorus)

A single purple balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) quietly blooms against a backdrop of lush green. Native to East Asia, this elegant wildflower is known for its balloon-like buds that pop open into five-pointed star-shaped blossoms. In Korean culture, the plant is called doraji (도라지), cherished not only for its beauty but also for its medicinal root, often used in traditional herbal remedies and cuisine. The deep violet veins of the petal seem to carry the memory of mountain winds and summer rains.