January 22

Birth Flower

Lycaste
Forest Fairy Orchid

Scientific Name: Lycaste
Family: Orchidaceae

Flower Language

  • Lively
  • Pure person
  • Purity

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Lycaste is a genus of orchids native to Central and South America, characterized by three developed sepals that form a distinctive triangular flower shape. Also known as the forest fairy, these beautiful flowers come in various colors including white, red, pink, yellow, green, and multicolored, blooming from November to May. They produce large pseudobulbs with broad leaves and tall flower stems bearing single large flowers. Named after Lycaste, the beautiful daughter of King Priam of Troy in Greek mythology.

Trivia

  • Named after the daughter of King Priam, famous from the Trojan War
  • Distinctive triangular flower shape formed by three sepals
  • Has the beautiful alternative name 'forest fairy'
  • Produces relatively large flowers among orchids

Uses

Ornamental
  • Indoor potted cultivation
  • Greenhouse cultivation
  • Cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Not particularly used for medicinal purposes

Caution: A plant to be enjoyed for ornamental purposes.

Culinary

Not edible.

Other
  • Not used for fragrance

Toxicity

Symptoms:

Snowdrop
Galanthus Snow flower

Scientific Name: Galanthus nivalis
Family: Amaryllidaceae

Flower Language

  • First sight of love
  • Hope
  • Comfort

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Snowdrop is a small bulbous plant of the Amaryllidaceae family native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia, blooming small white flowers in the cold period of February to March. The flowers bloom facing downward and are characterized by white petals with green spots. They open during the day and close at night. With a height of 5-15cm, they are extremely cold-hardy plants that can emerge even through snow. The scientific name Galanthus means 'milk flower' in Greek, and they are also praised as the flowers of the Virgin Mary.

Trivia

  • Named after the teardrop-shaped pearl earrings 'snow-drops' popular in the 16th-17th centuries
  • Special blooming habit of opening during the day and closing at night
  • So cold-hardy they can emerge through snow
  • In Britain, beloved as the flower that blooms on Candlemas Day (February 2nd)

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden planting
  • Potted cultivation
  • Rock gardens
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used in folk medicine but not recommended

Caution: The bulbs contain alkaloid toxins, so careful handling is required.

Culinary

Toxic and not edible.

Other
  • No other particular uses

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Bulbs, Entire plant

Symptoms: Ingestion may cause poisoning symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches.

Cyrtanthus
Fire lily Trumpet flower

Scientific Name: Cyrtanthus
Family: Amaryllidaceae

Flower Language

  • Shy
  • Bashful
  • Twisted charm

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Cyrtanthus is a small bulbous plant of the Amaryllidaceae family native to South Africa, with about 50 species distributed there. It is characterized by its unique flower shape with long tubular flowers that curve gently and bloom from diagonally upward to downward. The flower language 'shy' comes from its appearance of not facing forward. Flower colors are diverse including orange, yellow, white, vermillion, and pink, and they emit a sweet fruity fragrance. They are divided into summer and winter types based on their growth cycle, with winter types blooming from January to March and summer types in August.

Trivia

  • The scientific name Cyrtanthus means 'curved flower' in Greek
  • The flower language 'shy' comes from its appearance of not facing forward
  • Emits a sweet fruity fragrance
  • About 50 species of bulbous plants distributed in South Africa

Uses

Ornamental
  • Potted cultivation
  • Greenhouse cultivation
  • Cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Not particularly used for medicinal purposes

Caution: A plant to be enjoyed for ornamental purposes.

Culinary

Not edible.

Other
  • Sometimes used for fragrance

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Bulbs

Symptoms: As an Amaryllidaceae plant, the bulbs may have mild toxicity.

Anemone
Windflower Poppy anemone

Scientific Name: Anemone coronaria
Family: Ranunculaceae

Flower Language

  • Fleeting love
  • I love you
  • I believe in you and wait
  • Truth

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Anemone is a perennial of the Ranunculaceae family native to the Mediterranean coast and southern Europe, blooming colorful flowers from March to May. What appear to be petals are actually sepals, with the true flowers being small ones clustered in the center. They come in various colors including blue, purple, red, white, and pink, and have the characteristic of opening when they feel sunlight in the morning and closing in the evening. The name derives from the Greek word meaning 'wind' and is also called the daughter of the wind. They are relatively cold-hardy and easy to grow for beginners.

Trivia

  • Called the daughter of the wind from its Greek etymology meaning 'wind'
  • What appear to be petals are actually sepals, with true flowers being the small central parts
  • Diurnal blooming habit of opening in the morning and closing in the evening
  • Over 100 varieties are cultivated horticulturally

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden planting
  • Potted cultivation
  • Cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used in folk medicine but not recommended

Caution: Contains the toxic component protoanemonin, so careful handling is required.

Culinary

Toxic and not edible.

Other
  • No other particular uses

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Stems, Leaves, Bulbs

Symptoms: Contact with stem sap may cause blisters and dermatitis, and ingestion may cause gastrointestinal disorders.

Caraway
Carum Meridian fennel

Scientific Name: Carum carvi
Family: Apiaceae

Flower Language

  • Insatiable love
  • Fascination

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Caraway is a biennial herb of the Apiaceae family native to Western Asia and Europe, reaching 30-60cm in height. The stem is upright with lace-like, carrot-resembling pinnate leaves. Small pale green flowers bloom in umbels at the end of the second year, followed by dark brown crescent-shaped fruits. These seeds are characterized by their sweet aroma, slightly bitter taste, and crunchy texture, and have been used as spice since ancient times. In medieval Europe, it was believed to have the power to hold people and things, preventing loved ones from leaving.

Trivia

  • One of the oldest spices cultivated since the Stone Age
  • Used as an anti-theft charm in medieval times
  • Essential spice for European rye bread
  • Brought to Europe around 3000 BC by Phoenician merchants

Uses

Ornamental
  • Herb gardens
  • Cut flowers (inflorescence)
Medicinal
  • Digestive aid
  • Stomach tonic
  • Expectorant effect

Caution: Safe in moderate amounts, but avoid excessive consumption.

Culinary
  • Seeds
  • Young leaves
  • Roots
Other
  • Flavoring for liqueurs
  • Fragrance for soaps and cosmetics

Toxicity

Symptoms: