January 11

Birth Flower

Phalaenopsis
Moth Orchid Phalaenopsis Orchid

Scientific Name: Phalaenopsis aphrodite
Family: Orchidaceae

Flower Language

  • love to you
  • happiness flying to you
  • pure love
  • purity

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

Native to Southeast Asia, this orchid family plant is named 'butterfly orchid' for its beautiful butterfly-like flowers. With thick petals giving an elegant and refined impression, it's known as a luxury Western orchid. Very popular as a gift for celebrations, it's also characterized by its long blooming period.

Trivia

  • Phalaenopsis actually has no petals; what appears to be petals are sepals
  • Characterized by long-lasting blooms that can be enjoyed for 2-3 months
  • First imported to Japan during the Meiji era
  • Sometimes traded as the world's most expensive orchid for hundreds of thousands of yen per plant

Uses

Ornamental
  • Gift cut flowers
  • Potted ornamental plants
  • Bridal decorations
Medicinal
  • None specifically documented

Caution: Not recommended for medical use

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Luxury interior decoration
  • Flower arrangements

Toxicity

Toxic Parts: Non-toxic

Symptoms: No particular toxicity

Wintersweet
Japanese Allspice Wax Plum

Scientific Name: Chimonanthus praecox
Family: Calycanthaceae

Flower Language

  • compassion
  • foresight
  • grace
  • loving care

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A deciduous shrub native to China that blooms yellow flowers during cold winter periods. The petals have a waxy luster and are characterized by their sweet fragrance. Long beloved as tea ceremony flowers and garden trees, it provides precious color during the flower-scarce winter season.

Trivia

  • Introduced to Japan from China around the 17th century
  • Named 'wax plum' for its waxy texture
  • Actually not related to plums but a completely different plant family
  • Also called 'winter solstice plum' as it begins blooming around winter solstice

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden tree planting
  • Tea ceremony flowers
  • Cut flowers
  • Bonsai
Medicinal
  • Flowers said to have antipyretic and analgesic effects
  • Used as cold medicine in folk remedies

Caution: Caution needed as seeds are toxic

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Fragrance material
  • Timber use

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Seeds, Bark

Symptoms: Ingesting seeds may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing difficulties

Hepatica
Liverleaf Snow-breaker

Scientific Name: Hepatica nobilis
Family: Ranunculaceae

Flower Language

  • confidence
  • trust
  • shy
  • expectation

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A perennial native to Japan, also called Yukiwarisou (snow-breaking grass). Characterized by triangular leaves, it's beloved as 'the flower that blooms by breaking through snow' as it begins blooming earlier than other flowers in early spring. With diverse flower colors including blue, white, and pink, it's popular among alpine plant enthusiasts.

Trivia

  • What appears to be petals are actually sepals; true petals are absent
  • Scientific name 'Hepatica' means liver in Greek, named after leaf shape
  • Has adaptation ability to overwinter under snow and bloom with snowmelt
  • Hundreds of cultivars have been developed in horticulture with diverse colors and forms

Uses

Ornamental
  • Alpine gardening
  • Rock gardens
  • Potted plant appreciation
Medicinal
  • Historical use as liver medicine in folk remedies
  • Currently mainly ornamental

Caution: Not currently recommended for medical use

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Nature observation subject
  • Photography subject

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Mild toxicity in whole plant

Symptoms: Large consumption may cause gastrointestinal discomfort

Carnation
Clove Pink Dianthus

Scientific Name: Dianthus caryophyllus
Family: Caryophyllaceae

Flower Language

  • gratitude
  • warm affection
  • beautiful gesture
  • woman's love

Characteristics

Colors: pink

Description

A perennial of the carnation family native to Southern Europe and Western Asia, characterized by frilled petals. Pink carnations especially have become standard Mother's Day gifts, beloved as flowers expressing gratitude. With good fragrance and long-lasting as cut flowers, they are loved worldwide.

Trivia

  • Pink carnations became Mother's Day symbol in America in 1907
  • Beloved as Spain's national flower
  • Very long-lasting as cut flowers, 2-3 weeks
  • One of the most produced cut flowers worldwide

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Bouquets
  • Bridal bouquets
  • Flower arrangements
Medicinal
  • None specifically documented

Caution: Not recommended for medical use

Culinary
  • Petals
Other
  • Perfume ingredient
  • Potpourri material

Toxicity

Toxic Parts: Non-toxic

Symptoms: No particular toxicity

Arborvitae
Eastern White Cedar Thuja

Scientific Name: Thuja occidentalis
Family: Cupressaceae

Flower Language

  • firm friendship
  • true friendship
  • live for me

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

An evergreen conifer native to North America, named 'fragrant cypress leaf' because its leaves emit a sweet pineapple-like scent when crushed. Tolerant of pruning, it's used for hedges and garden trees. The English name meaning 'tree of life' also represents its strong vitality.

Trivia

  • Introduced to Japan during the Meiji era
  • English name 'Arborvitae' means 'tree of life' in Latin
  • Used in some Canadian coin designs
  • Some specimens can reach several hundred years old

Uses

Ornamental
  • Hedges
  • Garden trees
  • Street trees
  • Park plantings
Medicinal
  • Leaves used as cold medicine in folk remedies
  • Essential oil said to have antibacterial properties

Caution: Should be avoided during pregnancy

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Timber use
  • Essential oil extraction
  • Insect repellent

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Twigs

Symptoms: Large consumption may cause gastrointestinal discomfort or dermatitis