February 01

Birth Flower

Freesia
Cape Jessamine

Scientific Name: Freesia hybrida
Family: Iridaceae

Flower Language

  • friendship
  • trust
  • innocence
  • innocence
  • naivety
  • purity
  • longing

Characteristics

Colors: yellow

Description

Freesia is a perennial plant of the Iris family native to South Africa. From March to April, it produces multiple flowers in succession along upright stems, blooming progressively from bottom to top. The flowers have a very pleasant fragrance, and while yellow is the most common image, there are now many varieties in white, pink, purple, red and other colors, including double-flowered cultivars. Currently, over 150 varieties have been developed through breeding in the Netherlands.

Trivia

  • Named by botanist Ecklon after his friend Dr. Freese, a German physician
  • Over 150 cultivars have been developed, mostly through Dutch breeding programs
  • Flowers bloom progressively from bottom to top on the stem
  • Used in perfumery due to its exceptionally pleasant fragrance

Uses

Ornamental
  • Very popular as cut flowers
  • Grown in gardens and containers
  • Used in floral arrangements
Medicinal
  • No known medicinal properties

Caution: No specific cautions

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Sometimes used for fragrance
  • Source of essential oils

Toxicity

Toxic Parts: Non-toxic

Symptoms: No known toxicity

Japanese Quince
Flowering Quince Chaenomeles

Scientific Name: Chaenomeles speciosa
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • charming person
  • pioneer
  • precocity
  • ordinary
  • passion
  • fairy's radiance

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Japanese Quince is a deciduous shrub native to China that was introduced to Japan during the Heian period. It blooms rounded flowers similar to plum blossoms from early spring to spring, announcing the arrival of spring. Flower colors vary widely including bright vermillion, red, white, pink, and variegated types, with over 200 varieties including single and double-flowered forms. Those that begin blooming around November are called 'Kanboke' (cold quince) and are valued during the flower-scarce season. In autumn, it produces fragrant fruits that are used for making fruit wine and jams.

Trivia

  • The Chinese characters '木瓜' are read as 'Mokka' in Chinese and 'Boke' in Japanese
  • Named '木瓜' because the fruit shape resembles a melon
  • Varieties that bloom from late December are called 'Kanboke' and are especially prized
  • Over 200 varieties exist with very diverse colors and flowering forms

Uses

Ornamental
  • Planted as garden trees
  • Used in flower arrangements
  • Enjoyed as bonsai
Medicinal
  • Dried fruits are believed to have fatigue recovery effects
  • Expected to have diuretic effects

Caution: Raw fruits are hard and very sour, not suitable for direct consumption

Culinary
  • Fruits (processed for use)
Other
  • Used as hedging
  • Used as cut flowers

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Seeds

Symptoms: Seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, so large consumption should be avoided

Marguerite
Paris Daisy Marguerite Daisy

Scientific Name: Argyranthemum frutescens
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • divination of love
  • secret love
  • trust
  • sincerity
  • true love
  • beautiful appearance

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Marguerite is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family native to the Canary Islands, Spain, blooming for a long period from November to May. The name derives from the Greek word 'Margarites' meaning pearl, named for the pearl-like beauty of its white petals. The Japanese name 'Mokushungiku' comes from the woody nature of its stems and branches and its spring chrysanthemum-like leaves. The flower is beloved for love divination, plucking petals one by one while saying 'loves me, loves me not.' It grows 30cm to 1m tall with various flowering forms including single, double, and tubular blooms.

Trivia

  • Famous worldwide for the 'loves me, loves me not' divination game
  • Name derives from the Greek word meaning 'pearl'
  • Wild species still grow naturally in the Canary Islands as one of the island's symbolic flowers
  • Established as a garden plant in Japan since its introduction during the Meiji period

Uses

Ornamental
  • Popular flower in gardening
  • Used as cut flowers
  • Enjoyed as potted plants
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used in folk medicine for wound treatment

Caution: Medical effects are not scientifically proven, caution advised

Culinary
  • Petals (in small quantities)
Other
  • Used for love divination
  • Used as dried flowers

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves

Symptoms: Large consumption may cause gastrointestinal upset

Japanese Plum
Ume Japanese Apricot

Scientific Name: Prunus mume
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • indomitable spirit
  • nobility
  • elegance
  • pure heart
  • grace
  • purity

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Japanese plum is a deciduous tree native to China, belonging to the Rosaceae family, genus Prunus. It grows 5-10m tall and blooms fragrant flowers from late January to early February. Flower colors vary including white, red, and pink, with currently about 400 ornamental and 100 fruit varieties existing in Japan. Ornamental plums are divided into three types: 'Yabai-kei,' 'Hibai-kei,' and 'Bungo-kei.' The flower language of 'indomitable spirit' and 'nobility' comes from its dignified blooming in harsh cold. Long beloved by Japanese people, it appears frequently in the Manyoshu poetry collection and is cherished as an auspicious plant in the pine-bamboo-plum trio.

Trivia

  • The Manyoshu contains 118 poems about plum, more than cherry blossoms (43 poems)
  • The scientific name 'mume' derives from the Chinese pronunciation 'mei' for plum
  • The Japan Meteorological Agency observes plum blooming as a spring indicator
  • Considered the leader of the 'Three Friends of Winter' as it blooms earliest among pine, bamboo, and plum

Uses

Ornamental
  • Planted as garden trees
  • Enjoyed as bonsai
  • Used as cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Plum extract is believed to have fatigue recovery effects
  • Pickled plums are believed to have antibacterial properties

Caution: Green plums contain cyanogenic glycosides and should not be eaten raw

Culinary
  • Fruits (processed for use)
Other
  • Used for fragrance
  • Used as dye

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Green fruits, Seeds, Leaves

Symptoms: Cyanogenic glycoside poisoning symptoms (nausea, dizziness, difficulty breathing, etc.)

Japanese Primrose
Primula Siebold's Primrose

Scientific Name: Primula sieboldii
Family: Primulaceae

Flower Language

  • lasting affection
  • first love
  • purity
  • hope
  • cute
  • admiration

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Japanese Primrose is a perennial plant of the Primulaceae family native to Japan, Korean Peninsula, and northeastern China, blooming delicate flowers from mid-April to late April. The scientific name 'Primula' derives from the Latin 'primos' meaning 'first,' named because it heralds the arrival of spring. The species name 'sieboldii' comes from Siebold who visited Japan during the Edo period. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, and purple, with over 300 cultivated varieties currently existing. Beloved by people since the Edo period as a representative spring wildflower. It is designated as the prefectural flower of Saitama and Osaka prefectures.

Trivia

  • The scientific name 'Primula' means 'first' in Latin, named for being among the first flowers to bloom in spring
  • Introduced to Europe by Siebold and became known worldwide
  • Over 300 cultivated varieties now exist with very diverse colors and forms
  • Serves as a regional symbol as the prefectural flower of Saitama and Osaka

Uses

Ornamental
  • Enjoyed as potted plants
  • Cultivated in gardens
  • Grown in wildflower gardens
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used in folk medicine for cough relief and fever reduction

Caution: Medical effects are not proven and should not be used without professional guidance

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Used as a symbol for nature conservation activities
  • Used as educational plants

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Roots

Symptoms: May cause dermatitis or allergic reactions