January 27

Birth Flower

Madagascar Jasmine
Stephanotis Madagascar Jasmine Bridal Wreath

Scientific Name: Stephanotis floribunda
Family: Apocynaceae

Flower Language

  • Self-awareness
  • Pure prayer
  • Beloved bride
  • Journey together to distant places

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

An evergreen vine shrub native to Madagascar, characterized by glossy, leathery leaves and beautiful pure white flowers. It blooms for an extended period from spring to summer with a refreshing, strong fragrance. Despite its name containing 'jasmine,' it is completely different from true jasmines of the Oleaceae family, belonging instead to the Apocynaceae family. It is popular as a beautiful plant used in wedding bouquets.

Trivia

  • Despite its name containing 'jasmine,' it is completely unrelated to true jasmine (Oleaceae family)
  • Produces white latex when cut or pruned
  • Does not bloom repeatedly in the same location, only flowers on newly grown vines
  • A staple flower material for wedding bouquets worldwide

Uses

Ornamental
  • Wedding bouquets
  • Houseplant
  • Decorative vine plant
Medicinal

Caution: Toxic plant, not suitable for food or medicinal use

Culinary

Not edible

Other
  • Believed to improve financial luck in feng shui

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: All parts

Symptoms: May cause gastrointestinal symptoms if ingested

Dusty Miller
Silver Ragwort Silver Dust

Scientific Name: Senecio cineraria
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • I will support you
  • Gentle

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A cold-hardy perennial from the Mediterranean coast in the Asteraceae family, known for its silvery-white leaves covered with white down. Growing 10-60cm tall, it produces yellow flowers in early summer, but is primarily valued for its beautiful foliage. Widely used for garden borders and accent plants in mixed plantings, it is essential for winter gardens due to its strong cold tolerance and ability to survive frost.

Trivia

  • The English name 'dusty miller' means 'dust-covered miller,' referring to its powdery appearance
  • The Japanese name means 'white fine fabric,' referring to the white down covering the stems and leaves
  • Continues to be beloved as a consistently popular plant in modern gardening
  • Its strong cold tolerance and frost resistance make it valuable for winter garden color

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden borders
  • Accent in mixed plantings
  • Hanging baskets
Medicinal

Caution: Not commonly used for medicinal purposes

Culinary

Not edible

Other
  • Can be used as dried flowers

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves

Symptoms: Large quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms

English Daisy
Common Daisy Lawn Daisy

Scientific Name: Bellis perennis
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • Vitality
  • Healthy

Characteristics

Colors: Purple

Description

A perennial plant of the Bellis genus in the Asteraceae family, native to Europe and the Mediterranean coast. Growing 10-20cm tall, it produces flowers about 5cm in diameter from February to May. Available in various colors including red, white, pink, blue, purple, yellow, and orange, it features a refreshing fragrance combining citrus and floral notes. Purple daisies particularly convey vitality and health, and are designated as the birth flower for January 27th.

Trivia

  • The English name 'daisy' comes from 'day's eye,' referring to how the flower opens in the morning and closes in the evening
  • The Japanese name 'hinagiku' compares the small, cute flowers to baby birds
  • The purple coloring of daisies is associated with vitality and health
  • In Europe, it's the classic flower for 'he loves me, he loves me not' fortune-telling

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden beds
  • Container planting
  • Mixed plantings
Medicinal
  • Used in folk medicine for wound healing

Caution: Consult professionals for medical use

Culinary
  • Flowers
  • Young leaves
Other
  • Perfume ingredient
  • Dried flowers

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally considered non-toxic

Caper Spurge
Mole Plant Paper Spurge

Scientific Name: Euphorbia lathyris
Family: Euphorbiaceae

Flower Language

  • Pretense

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A plant distributed from Southern Europe to Northwest Africa, Southwest Asia, and Western China. It was introduced to Japan about 600 years ago from Europe via Portugal as a cultivated plant, growing up to about 1.5m tall. It has distinctive cross-opposite leaf arrangement and produces yellow-green flowers from April to May. The seeds yield an oil similar to olive oil called Horto oil, known for its diuretic and strong laxative effects.

Trivia

  • The name 'Horto' means Portugal, referring to its introduction to Japan via Portugal
  • Produces white latex when stems or leaves are damaged
  • Seeds contain 40-60% fatty oil, esculin, euphorbon, and gum substances
  • Spherical fruits about 1.5cm in diameter contain three seeds each

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cultivation in medicinal gardens
Medicinal
  • Diuretic effects
  • Laxative properties

Caution: Entire plant is toxic; should not be used without expert guidance

Culinary

Not edible

Other
  • Oil extraction from seeds

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Severe

Toxic Parts: All parts, Especially seeds

Symptoms: Ingestion causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain

Japanese Rowan
Japanese Mountain Ash Sorbus

Scientific Name: Sorbus commixta
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • Caution
  • Wisdom
  • Prudence
  • I will watch over you

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A deciduous small to large tree of the Sorbus genus in the Rosaceae family, distributed in Japan, Sakhalin, and the Korean Peninsula. Reaching 3-12m in height, it produces pure white 5-petaled flowers 6-8mm in diameter in clusters from May to July. In autumn, it displays beautiful foliage colors and produces red fruits about 5mm in diameter. The wood is brown and hard, excellent for turning and carving, and charcoal made from this wood is considered premium quality due to its strong heat and long burning properties. It is planted as garden and street trees in northern regions like Hokkaido and is valued for its year-round ornamental appeal.

Trivia

  • The name origin legend of 'surviving seven times in the furnace' is famous, but it actually burns well
  • Another theory suggests 'burning for seven times or seven days produces quality charcoal'
  • Designated as Sapporo city's tree and an iconic tree of Hokkaido
  • In autumn, its brilliant red leaves create stunning garden displays

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden trees
  • Street trees
  • Park trees
  • Floral arrangements
Medicinal
  • Fruits sometimes used in folk medicine

Caution: Fruits are not suitable for raw consumption

Culinary

Generally not consumed as food

Other
  • Wood crafting (turning)
  • Carving material
  • High-quality charcoal production

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Fruits

Symptoms: Raw fruit consumption may cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms