February 04

Birth Flower

Polyanthus Primrose
Primula Polyanthus

Scientific Name: Primula Polyanthus Group
Family: Primulaceae

Flower Language

  • Devoted love
  • Pride of riches
  • Silent love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Also called Western Primrose, this is a group of varieties developed by crossing European species including Primula elatior, P. vulgaris, and P. veris. The spring colors of red, yellow, purple, and blue brighten flower beds and potted plants, bringing peace to the heart. 'Polyanthus' means 'many' or 'abundant', characteristic of its prolific flowering.

Trivia

  • Can be enjoyed for a long period from December to May
  • Though perennial, often treated as annual due to heat sensitivity
  • Very rich flower colors including red, yellow, purple, blue, and white
  • A hybrid group created from multiple European parent species

Uses

Ornamental
  • Flower beds
  • Potted plants
  • Container gardens
Medicinal

Caution: No known medicinal uses

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Parent plant for horticultural breeding

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: All parts

Symptoms: May have mild toxicity as a member of the primrose family, but generally not considered problematic

Camellia
Japanese Camellia

Scientific Name: Camellia japonica
Family: Theaceae

Flower Language

  • Perfect love
  • Modest excellence
  • Humble virtue

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

An evergreen tree native to Japan that produces plump red and white flowers among glossy, hard leaves from winter to spring. A great boom occurred in Europe in the 19th century, and the novel 'La Dame aux Camélias' by Alexandre Dumas is very famous. In Japan, there has long been a culture of revering evergreen plants as sacred, and camellias have been planted at property boundaries as trees that ward off evil.

Trivia

  • Over 2000 varieties exist in Japan alone
  • Also known as Yabuzubaki, Taitoka, and Camellia
  • Rich variety of flower colors including red, white, pink, red-white bicolor, purple, and purple-black
  • The 'Camellia Boom' occurred in 19th century Europe

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden trees
  • Bonsai
  • Cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Camellia oil is used for hair and skin care

Caution: Medicinal use of flowers and leaves is not common

Culinary
  • Petals
Other
  • Camellia oil (cosmetics, hair oil)
  • Wood (crafts)

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported. Petals are even used as food

Glory of the Sun
Leucocoryne

Scientific Name: Leucocoryne ixioides
Family: Amaryllidaceae

Flower Language

  • Warm heart
  • Trusting heart
  • Noble lady

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A bulbous plant native to the eastern Andes of Chile. Star-shaped flowers bloom from May to June with a strong fragrance. This fragrance is compared to cloves, sakura mochi, and vanilla. Flower colors include purple, light blue, and white. The scientific name meaning 'white club' comes from the club-like false stamens in the flower center.

Trivia

  • Scientific name Leucocoryne derives from Greek meaning 'white club'
  • The false stamens in the flower center are club-shaped
  • Available from February to May
  • Unique sweet fragrance compared to cloves, sakura mochi, and vanilla

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Bouquets
  • Potted plants
Medicinal

Caution: No known medicinal uses

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Fragrance
  • Aromatherapy

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported

Japanese Quince
Flowering Quince Chaenomeles

Scientific Name: Chaenomeles speciosa
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • Pioneer
  • Leader
  • Ordinary

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A deciduous shrub native to China that was introduced to Japan during the Heian period. It produces beautiful red, white, or mixed red-and-white flowers in spring. The genus name Chaenomeles comes from Greek words meaning 'widely split' and 'apple', referring to the way the fruit splits. The species name speciosa means 'beautiful' or 'magnificent'. Over 200 varieties are cultivated, used not only for ornamental purposes but also for making fruit wines and jams from the fragrant fruits.

Trivia

  • Over 200 varieties are cultivated, with red flowers called Hiboke, white flowers Shiroboke, and mixed red-white Sarasaboke
  • Famous for being used in Oda Nobunaga's family crest
  • Fruits are strongly acidic when raw but develop unique fragrance and flavor when processed
  • Popular as bonsai, valued for beautiful tree forms

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden trees
  • Hedges
  • Bonsai
Medicinal
  • Dried mature fruits used as herbal medicine 'Mokka' for edema, joint pain, beriberi, and stomach cramps

Caution: Medicinal use should be under expert guidance

Culinary
  • Fruits
Other
  • Fragrance
  • Ornamental bonsai

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported. Rather used for medicinal and culinary purposes

Chloranthus
Japanese Chloranthus

Scientific Name: Chloranthus quadrifolius
Family: Chloranthaceae

Flower Language

  • Hidden beauty
  • Responding to love
  • Tranquility

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A perennial native to Japan, naturally growing from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Four leaves grow in whorls near the stem tip, with a single white brush-like flower spike emerging from the center. It produces elegant white flowers from April to May. Named for its resemblance to the graceful figure of Shizuka Gozen dancing alone. It naturally grows in moist, bright semi-shade in mountain forests.

Trivia

  • The flower spike looks like brush bristles but is actually a collection of stamens
  • Has the distinctive feature of four leaves arranged in whorls
  • Has a beautiful Japanese name compared to Shizuka Gozen's dancing figure
  • A typical wildflower that prefers moist semi-shade

Uses

Ornamental
  • Wild plant gardening
  • Shade gardens
  • Tea gardens
Medicinal

Caution: Medicinal use is not common

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Flower arrangement material
  • Nature observation subject

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported

Japanese Primrose
Primula sieboldii

Scientific Name: Primula sieboldii
Family: Primulaceae

Flower Language

  • Secret of beauty
  • First love
  • Purity

Characteristics

Colors: Red

Description

A perennial native to Japan, distributed in highlands and fields of southern Hokkaido, Honshu, and Kyushu. Because it produces lovely flowers resembling cherry blossoms, it has been beloved since the Edo period as a representative spring wildflower. The flowering period is from early April to May, and because it blooms in early spring, it's called the 'flower that calls spring'. A classical horticultural plant with about 300 varieties developed during the Edo period.

Trivia

  • A classical horticultural plant with about 300 varieties created during the Edo period
  • Rich color variations including various shades of pink, white, purple, and red
  • Named 'sakura-so' (cherry grass) for its cherry-like flower shape
  • Beloved as the 'flower that calls spring'

Uses

Ornamental
  • Classical horticulture
  • Potted plants
  • Wild plant gardening
Medicinal

Caution: Medicinal use is not common

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Subject of classical horticulture research
  • Variety conservation

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: All parts

Symptoms: May have mild toxicity as a member of the primrose family, but generally not considered problematic