!Info for the story! Cypress can symbolize death and mourning. Yellow Poppy can symbolize wealth and success. Plumeria can symbolize life and new beginnings. Rhododendron can symbolize purity or innocence, but is also related to death and danger. Tansy can symbolize hostility or even war but are more commonly an abortifacient (something that causes miscarriages). Every single year, in the last week of August, the families in my hometown pray that there's no Rhododendron blossom on their doorstep.