January 15

Birth Flower

Reeves' spirea
Bridal wreath Double reeves' spirea

Scientific Name: Spiraea cantoniensis
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • industriousness
  • elegance
  • friendship

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

Kodemari is a deciduous shrub native to China that grows to a height of 1.5-2 meters. From mid-April to mid-May, it produces numerous small white flowers in hemispherical inflorescences about 3cm in diameter. The name 'kodemari' (small temari ball) comes from the flower clusters' resemblance to traditional Japanese temari balls. The branches are thin and gracefully arching, making it popular for flower arrangements. It is easy to cultivate and widely used as a garden tree and in park landscaping.

Trivia

  • A double-flowered variety called 'Yaekodamari' exists and produces more luxurious blooms.
  • It was formerly called 'Temaribana' (ball flower).
  • Its gracefully arching branches make it prized for creating dynamic ikebana arrangements.
  • Pruning after flowering ensures beautiful blooms the following year.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Garden planting
  • Container gardening
  • Ikebana arrangements
  • Bridal bouquets
Medicinal
  • No notable medicinal uses

Caution: No specific cautions

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Garden borders
  • Park landscaping
  • Bonsai cultivation

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic

Violet
Wild violet Sweet violet

Scientific Name: Viola mandshurica
Family: Violaceae

Flower Language

  • innocent love
  • purity
  • modesty
  • sincerity
  • small happiness

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

Violet is a perennial herb native throughout Japan, growing to about 10cm in height and blooming 5-petaled flowers about 2cm in diameter from March to May. The flowers are bilaterally symmetric, with the downward-facing lip petal having streak patterns and a sac-like structure called a spur at the back. White violets are particularly pure and beautiful, with varieties such as 'Shirosumire' and 'Shiroganesumire'. Due to their humble and modest appearance, they have long been celebrated in poetry and continue to be beloved flowers.

Trivia

  • Napoleon continuously gave violets to his beloved Josephine and was called 'the violet soldier'.
  • Violets produce cleistogamous flowers that ensure seed production through self-pollination.
  • In ancient Greece, they were used as a sleeping aid.
  • About 50 species of violets grow wild in Japan, known for their rich diversity.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Potted plants
  • Rock gardens
  • Ground cover
  • Wildflower displays
Medicinal
  • Used in folk medicine for cough relief and fever reduction
  • Traditionally used as a medicinal herb in Europe

Caution: Seeds and rhizomes contain neurotoxic violine and should be used with caution

Culinary
  • Flowers
  • Young leaves
Other
  • Perfume ingredient
  • Potpourri material
  • Natural dye

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Seeds, Rhizomes

Symptoms: Large consumption of seeds or rhizomes may cause neurological symptoms

Poppy
Corn poppy Field poppy Shirley poppy

Scientific Name: Papaver rhoeas
Family: Papaveraceae

Flower Language

  • consolation
  • comfort
  • compassion
  • gratitude
  • sleep

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Poppy (Hinageshi) is an annual plant native to Europe that was introduced to Japan during the Edo period, growing to a height of 15-80cm. The petals are thin and wrinkled like Japanese paper, producing large and beautiful flowers 6-10cm in diameter. The buds initially hang downward with hairy surfaces, then lift their heads and split in two when blooming. They flower from early April to early June, are cold-resistant but heat-sensitive, dying in summer in Japan.

Trivia

  • After World War I, poppies that bloomed on Flanders battlefields became a symbol of peace.
  • In Britain, there's a tradition of wearing red poppies on November 11th to commemorate fallen soldiers.
  • Shirley poppies have been bred to produce various colors through cultivation.
  • Poppy seeds are used to make edible oil and are used as ingredients in bread and cakes.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower beds
  • Container gardens
  • Wildflower gardens
Medicinal
  • Traditionally used as a sedative in Europe
  • Sometimes used for cough relief and mild sleep induction

Caution: Contains alkaloids, so medical use requires professional guidance

Culinary
  • Petals
  • Young leaves
Other
  • Poppy seed oil extraction
  • Dried flowers
  • Red pigment extraction

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Stems, Milky sap

Symptoms: Large consumption may cause mild poisoning symptoms

Gorse
European gorse Common gorse Furze

Scientific Name: Ulex europaeus
Family: Fabaceae

Flower Language

  • strength to overcome difficulties
  • hope
  • courage

Characteristics

Colors: yellow

Description

Gorse is an evergreen shrub native to Western Europe and Italy, growing to a height of 1-2 meters. The young branches are green with ridges, and older branches are densely covered with long spines. Young leaves consist of 3-5 leaflets, but as they mature, the terminal leaflet elongates to form long, sharp spines. It blooms small yellow butterfly-shaped flowers twice a year, in March and September, at leaf axils and stem tips. In Japan, it has established as an alien species but is designated as a species requiring attention due to its spines making it difficult to remove.

Trivia

  • In Britain, it's called the 'golden flower' and has been beloved since ancient times.
  • The flowers have a sweet fragrance that becomes particularly strong from spring to summer.
  • As a legume, it has nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its roots that enrich the soil.
  • The spines are the result of evolution to protect from animals and are modified leaves.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden boundary planting
  • Security hedging
  • Wasteland revegetation
Medicinal
  • Traditionally used as a diuretic in Europe
  • Sometimes used as external medicine for skin conditions

Caution: Requires careful handling due to sharp spines, and medical use requires professional guidance

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Fuel wood
  • Livestock fodder (flowers and young shoots only)
  • Soil improvement

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Spines, Leaves

Symptoms: Risk of physical injury from spines