January 02

Birth Flower

Spring Sasanqua
Spring Camellia Haru-Sazanka

Scientific Name: Camellia sasanqua
Family: Theaceae

Flower Language

  • Overcoming difficulties
  • Dedication
  • Modest person

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Haru-Sazanka is a hybrid between Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica) and Sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua), both native to Japan. It is one of the few flowers that brighten winter gardens. Blooming from January to March, there are currently about 50 varieties. It features thick leaves like camellias and petal-shedding characteristics like sasanqua, allowing people to enjoy beautiful flowers from cold to warm seasons.

Trivia

  • The name derives from its late blooming period (spring flowering).
  • About 50 varieties currently exist, offering diverse flower colors and forms.
  • A rare hybrid that combines characteristics of both camellia and sasanqua.
  • Popular among gardening enthusiasts as a valuable flower that brightens winter gardens.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden tree planting
  • Cut flower arrangements
  • Bonsai cultivation
Medicinal
  • Not commonly used for medicinal purposes

Caution: Care should be taken when touching as tea tussock moth caterpillars may be present on leaves.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption.

Other
  • Source of camellia oil (camellia varieties)

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves (indirect danger from tea tussock moth caterpillars)

Symptoms: Skin irritation and itching may occur from tea tussock moth toxic hairs.

Ornamental Cabbage
Flowering Cabbage Ornamental Kale

Scientific Name: Brassica oleracea var. acephala
Family: Brassicaceae

Flower Language

  • Profit
  • Unshaken by circumstances
  • Blessing
  • Embracing love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Ornamental cabbage is a familiar plant that decorates from year-end to New Year. Originally related to vegetables like cabbage and broccoli, kale introduced during the Edo period began being cultivated for winter ornamental purposes. Since then, breeding improvements in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka have led to today's varieties. With excellent cold tolerance, exposure to low temperatures causes beautiful coloring in white, cream, purple, red, and pink.

Trivia

  • Introduced to Japan during the Edo period and underwent unique breeding improvements.
  • Beautiful coloring only occurs when temperatures drop sufficiently.
  • The name derives from likening the leaves to peony flowers.
  • Now known worldwide as a horticultural plant originating from Japan.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Winter flower bed decoration
  • Kadomatsu accompaniment
  • Container garden material
Medicinal
  • No specific medicinal uses

Caution: Though the same plant as edible cabbage, ornamental varieties are not suitable for consumption.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption as it's grown for ornamental purposes.

Other
  • Educational plant material

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity, but not recommended for consumption as it's grown for ornamental purposes.

Japanese Camellia
Camellia Rose of Winter

Scientific Name: Camellia japonica
Family: Theaceae

Flower Language

  • Unpretentious charm
  • Modest excellence
  • Humble virtue

Characteristics

Colors: red

Description

Camellia is an ancient Japanese flowering tree, mentioned in the Nihon Shoki and Man'yoshu, beloved by Japanese people since ancient times. It features plump rose-like flowers and glossy green leaves, blooming from November to April. With excellent cold and heat tolerance and ability to grow well in shade, it's extremely popular as a garden tree. Camellia oil extracted from seeds has been used since ancient times for Japanese women's hair and skin care.

Trivia

  • An ancient flower mentioned in the Nihon Shoki and Man'yoshu.
  • Camellia oil has been essential for Japanese women's beauty care since ancient times.
  • Avoided by samurai due to association with beheading from how flowers fall.
  • About 300 horticultural varieties have been developed worldwide.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden tree planting
  • Flower arrangement and tea ceremony material
  • Bonsai cultivation
Medicinal
  • Camellia oil used for hair and skin moisturizing
  • Flowers and leaves sometimes used in folk medicine

Caution: Care needed when handling due to tea tussock moth caterpillars on leaves.

Culinary
  • Petals (small amounts)
  • Seeds (as camellia oil)
Other
  • Source of camellia oil
  • Timber for construction
  • Natural dye

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves (indirect danger from tea tussock moth caterpillars)

Symptoms: Skin irritation and itching may occur from tea tussock moth toxic hairs.

Wintersweet
Winter Daphne Fragrant Wintersweet

Scientific Name: Chimonanthus praecox
Family: Calycanthaceae

Flower Language

  • Compassion
  • Affection
  • Refinement
  • Leadership
  • Foresight

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Wintersweet is a deciduous shrub native to China, introduced to Japan in the early Edo period. It blooms waxy yellow flowers resembling wax crafts from January to February in severe cold, emitting an elegant sweet fragrance. Since flowers bloom before leaves, you can enjoy the beautiful sight of flowers clustering alone on branches. In China, it's revered as one of the 'Four Flowers in Snow' along with plum, narcissus, and camellia, making it an essential flowering tree for winter gardens due to its cold tolerance and beauty.

Trivia

  • The English name Winter Sweet derives from its sweet fragrance in winter.
  • Called one of the 'Four Flowers in Snow' along with plum, narcissus, and camellia in China.
  • Introduced to Japan in early Edo period and deeply rooted in tea ceremony culture.
  • Named 'wax plum' for its waxy flower texture.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden tree planting
  • Cut flower arrangements
  • Bonsai cultivation
Medicinal
  • Flowers used medicinally in traditional Chinese medicine

Caution: Seeds are highly toxic and must never be consumed.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption. Seeds are particularly toxic.

Other
  • Used as fragrance
  • Traditional garden design material

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Severe

Toxic Parts: Seeds, Entire plant (especially seeds)

Symptoms: Toxic component calycanthine causes neurological symptoms including convulsions.

Narcissus
Daffodil Jonquil

Scientific Name: Narcissus tazetta
Family: Amaryllidaceae

Flower Language

  • Return to me
  • Please love me again
  • Respond to love

Characteristics

Colors: yellow

Description

Narcissus is a bulbous plant native to Spain, Portugal, and the Mediterranean coast of Africa, thought to have been introduced to Japan via China before the Muromachi period. It blooms beautiful yellow or white flowers from March to April, emitting a distinctive sweet fragrance. With a scientific name derived from the Greek mythological beautiful youth Narcissus, it's known as a symbol of self-love. However, caution is needed in handling as the entire plant is toxic.

Trivia

  • Scientific name Narcissus derives from the Greek mythological beautiful youth Narcissus.
  • Poisoning accidents continue due to resemblance to garlic chives.
  • Displayed as Wales' national flower on St. David's Day (March 1st) in Britain.
  • Also used as perfume ingredient, essential for luxury fragrances.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden planting
  • Cut flower arrangements
  • Indoor potted plant viewing
Medicinal
  • Used as medicinal herb since ancient times, but no longer used due to toxicity

Caution: Entire plant is toxic, with frequent accidents from mistaking leaves for garlic chives.

Culinary

Absolutely not for consumption. Highly toxic.

Other
  • Used as fragrance
  • Research plant material

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Severe

Toxic Parts: Entire plant, Bulbs (especially toxic)

Symptoms: Lycorine, galanthamine and other compounds cause vomiting, diarrhea, and can be life-threatening in severe cases.