January 14

Birth Flower

Blue Daisy
Blue Marguerite Felicia

Scientific Name: Felicia amelloides
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • blessed
  • purity
  • good fortune
  • sweet you
  • innocence

Characteristics

Colors: blue

Description

Native to South Africa, this Asteraceae flower produces small, transparent blue blooms. The center consists of yellow tubular flowers, creating a beautiful contrast with the blue petals. While it grows as a perennial up to 1 meter in its native habitat, it's treated as an annual in Japan due to its sensitivity to cold and humidity. It has two blooming seasons: spring (March-May) and autumn (October-December).

Trivia

  • The etymology 'felix' (blessed) in its scientific name represents the beauty of this flower.
  • In its native South Africa, this flower is sometimes called 'Lucky Blue'.
  • The translucent quality of the petals comes from their cellular structure that beautifully reflects light.
  • It was introduced to Japan relatively recently and is gaining popularity among gardening enthusiasts.

Uses

Ornamental
  • cut flowers
  • container gardens
  • border plantings
  • potted plants
Medicinal
  • No specific medicinal uses reported.

Caution: Use for ornamental purposes only.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption.

Other
  • gardening
  • landscape beautification

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported.

Star of Bethlehem
Ornithogalum Sleepy Dick Arabian Star Flower

Scientific Name: Ornithogalum umbellatum
Family: Asparagaceae

Flower Language

  • purity
  • talent
  • innocence
  • integrity
  • purity

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

A bulbous plant native to the Mediterranean coast and Asia Minor, it produces elegant stems with flower clusters in spring, blooming beautiful creamy white six-petaled flowers progressively from bottom to top. The flowers are about 3cm in diameter and star-shaped, hence the English name 'Star of Bethlehem'. It's a hardy plant with good cold tolerance, popular for wedding bouquets. The cut flowers have good longevity, and their graceful, pure appearance is beloved by many.

Trivia

  • The flowers open during the day and close at night or on cloudy days.
  • Once planted, this hardy bulbous plant blooms annually.
  • In Europe, it's commonly seen growing wild along roadsides and in fields.
  • When used as cut flowers, they're known for their excellent longevity.

Uses

Ornamental
  • cut flowers
  • wedding bouquets
  • spring arrangements
  • garden planting
  • potted plants
Medicinal
  • In traditional medicine, it was believed to have diuretic properties.

Caution: Medicinal use is not currently recommended. Caution needed as the bulbs contain toxic compounds.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption. Bulbs contain toxic compounds.

Other
  • gardening
  • naturalized plantings
  • ground cover

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: bulbs, leaves

Symptoms: Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Saffron
Saffron Crocus Autumn Crocus

Scientific Name: Crocus sativus
Family: Iridaceae

Flower Language

  • joy
  • delight
  • cheerfulness
  • beauty in moderation
  • beware of excess

Characteristics

Colors: purple

Description

A bulbous plant of the Iris family native to the Mediterranean coast, blooming beautiful purple flowers from October to December. The center of the flower features three characteristic red thread-like stigmas, which when dried become the luxury spice 'saffron'. Treasured since ancient times as a spice, dye, and medicine, its price per weight is said to exceed that of gold. About 160 flowers are needed to produce just 1 gram of saffron, highlighting its precious nature.

Trivia

  • One of the world's most expensive spices by weight.
  • About 160 flowers are needed to produce 1g of saffron, all harvested by hand.
  • In ancient Rome, it was considered equivalent in value to gold.
  • Records show that Cleopatra bathed in saffron-infused baths.

Uses

Ornamental
  • autumn-blooming bulb for gardens
  • potted plants
  • cut flowers
Medicinal
  • antidepressant effects since ancient times
  • digestive aid
  • menstrual regulation

Caution: Excessive consumption is dangerous. Pregnant women should avoid it due to uterine contraction effects. Side effects may include agitation and insomnia.

Culinary
  • stigmas
Other
  • natural dye for textiles
  • fragrance ingredient in perfumes
  • traditional paint pigment

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: stigmas (when consumed in large quantities)

Symptoms: Large quantities may cause agitation, insomnia, indigestion, and can cause uterine contractions during pregnancy.

Cyclamen
Persian Violet Sowbread

Scientific Name: Cyclamen persicum
Family: Primulaceae

Flower Language

  • reserve
  • hesitation
  • shy
  • bashfulness
  • jealousy
  • purity
  • admiration
  • hearts in harmony

Characteristics

Colors: pink

Description

A perennial bulbous plant of the Primulaceae family native to the Mediterranean region, blooming beautiful flowers from autumn to spring. The flowers face downward with uniquely reflexed petals, an adaptation to protect pollen from rain. The heart-shaped leaves feature white variegation and high ornamental value. Very popular as winter potted plants in Japan and frequently chosen as gifts. The bulb prefers to be exposed above ground and can be enjoyed long-term with proper care.

Trivia

  • The Japanese name 'Kagaribi-bana' (bonfire flower) was coined by botanist Tomitaro Makino from a lady's comment 'This looks like a bonfire flower'.
  • The alternative name 'pig's bread' comes from wild boars eating the bulbs.
  • Though a dicotyledon, it unusually produces only one leaf during germination.
  • With proper care, the same bulb can produce flowers for many years, making it a long-lived plant.

Uses

Ornamental
  • winter potted plants
  • indoor decoration
  • gift potted flowers
  • container gardens
Medicinal
  • Used as medicinal herb in ancient Greece, but not recommended today.

Caution: Bulbs contain toxic compounds, so medicinal use is not recommended today. Enjoy for ornamental purposes only.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption. Bulbs are especially toxic.

Other
  • winter indoor gardening
  • gift purposes
  • seasonal decoration

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: bulbs, leaves, stems

Symptoms: Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in severe cases may affect the heart and central nervous system.

Cymbidium
Boat Orchid

Scientific Name: Cymbidium spp.
Family: Orchidaceae

Flower Language

  • unadorned heart
  • simplicity
  • brilliant love
  • noble beauty
  • magnificence
  • secluded beauty
  • elegant woman
  • unadorned heart

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

An orchid family plant native to tropical to temperate regions of Southeast Asia, considered one of the 'Big Four Orchids' along with Cattleya, Paphiopedilum, and Dendrobium. Blooming from December to March, it produces beautiful flowers 4-8cm in diameter. Flower colors are very diverse including white, pink, orange, yellow, green, brown, and multicolored varieties. The flowers have excellent longevity, maintaining their beauty for over a month. The scientific name derives from 'kymbes' (boat) and 'edios' (form), referring to the boat-bottom-like shape of the lip.

Trivia

  • The second most produced and shipped orchid in Japan after Phalaenopsis.
  • Classified by flower size into large (over 10cm), medium (5-10cm), and small (5-6cm) varieties.
  • A single flower stem can produce 10-30 blooms.
  • A perennial that blooms annually with proper care.

Uses

Ornamental
  • potted orchids
  • cut flowers
  • New Year decorations
  • gift potted flowers
  • wedding decorations
Medicinal
  • Some wild species were used medicinally in traditional Chinese medicine.

Caution: Currently recommended for ornamental enjoyment only.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption. For ornamental purposes only.

Other
  • luxury gifts
  • special occasion decorations
  • orchid show exhibitions

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported, but for ornamental purposes only.