Music is in full bloom

TOKYO — The therapeutic power of flowers takes on new meaning with a Japanese gadget that turns plants into audio speakers, making the petals and leaves tremble with good vibrations.

Called Ka-on, which means “flower sound” in Japanese, the machine consists of a donut-shaped magnet and coil at the base of a vase that hooks up to a CD player, stereo or TV.

Place the flowers into the vase, turn on Ka-on and the magnet and coil relay the sound vibrations up the stems through the plant’s water tubes.

Near your ear and hear the music emanate from the petals. Touch a leaf, and feel it shake as though in a quiet dance.

Later this month, you’ll be able to carry on a telephone conversation with a flower with a planned speaker phone model.

Unlike regular speakers, which send sound in one direction, Ka-on shoots it in all directions, filling an entire room with music in a more natural ambiance.

Masumi Gotoh, president of Let’s Corp., a Nagoya-based telecommuncations-equipment company that developed and manufactures Ka-on, calls it ideal for flower table-arrangements at weddings, reception desks at hospitals and decoration at restaurants.