February 08

Birth Flower

Jacob's Ladder
Polemonium Sky Pilot

Scientific Name: Polemonium kiushianum
Family: Polemoniaceae

Flower Language

  • Wild Beauty
  • I Am Waiting
  • Having Compassion

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A perennial plant of the Polemoniaceae family endemic to Japan, growing only in the grasslands of Kyushu's Aso mountain region. Designated as Critically Endangered (IA) on the Ministry of Environment's Red List and under national management as a specified domestic rare wild animal and plant species. It blooms small blue-purple flowers on 60-100cm stems from June to July. The leaves are pinnately compound, resembling the fern Davallia mariesii, hence named 'flowering shinobu.' With only about 2,000 wild individuals remaining, wild collection is legally prohibited. Species conservation is currently being pursued through protection activities and artificial cultivation.

Trivia

  • Designated as Japan's first specified domestic rare wild animal and plant species
  • Native Aso grasslands maintained by controlled burning for over 1000 years
  • Artificial cultivation has very low germination rates from seeds
  • Native environment increasingly threatened by recent climate change

Uses

Ornamental
  • Conservation cultivation display in botanical gardens
  • Rare plant collections
  • Academic research cultivation
Medicinal
  • Currently not used medicinally
  • No records of folk medicine use
  • Collection prohibited for protection

Caution: All collection legally prohibited as endangered species

Culinary

No culinary use

Other
  • Symbol of biodiversity conservation
  • Environmental education material
  • Subject of academic research

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported, but contact should be avoided for protection

Strawberry Begonia
Roving Sailor Mother of Thousands

Scientific Name: Saxifraga stolonifera
Family: Saxifragaceae

Flower Language

  • Likeable
  • Deep Affection
  • Universal Love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A perennial plant of the Saxifragaceae family native to Japan and China, growing naturally in moist rocky areas along valleys from Honshu to Kyushu. From May to July, it extends 20-50cm flower stems and blooms numerous white 5-petaled flowers of different sizes. The upper 3 petals are small with dark red spots, while the lower 2 are large and drooping conspicuously. Leaves are circular, 3-8cm in diameter, with brown undersides and white markings. It reproduces via runners and has been used in folk medicine since ancient times for treating burns and frostbite. Named for its hardiness to survive even under snow.

Trivia

  • Medicinal effects recorded in Edo period botanical work 'Yamato Honzo'
  • White leaf markings considered adaptation for efficient photosynthesis
  • Called 'mother plant' due to runner propagation
  • Still sometimes used in folk first aid for burns today

Uses

Ornamental
  • Ground cover in shade gardens
  • Rock garden planting
  • Potted plant cultivation
Medicinal
  • External leaf use: treatment of burns, frostbite, swelling
  • Leaf juice: folk remedy for otitis media
  • Decoction: fever reduction, diuretic effect

Caution: Consult specialists for medicinal use

Culinary
  • Young leaves
  • Flowers
Other
  • Use as houseplant
  • Subject of folk medicine research
  • Environmental indicator plant

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally safe but avoid large consumption

Henbit
Dead Nettle Henbit Dead-nettle

Scientific Name: Lamium amplexicaule
Family: Lamiaceae

Flower Language

  • Shining Heart
  • Harmony
  • Small Happiness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

An annual plant of the Lamiaceae family native to Eurasia and North Africa, widely distributed south of Honshu in Japan. From March to June, leaves clasp the stem in the upper part, with purple labiate flowers about 2cm long blooming in the leaf axils. The upper lip is helmet-shaped with short hairs, and the lower lip is bifurcated with dark red spots. The stem is square with stepwise nodes, also called 'Three-story grass.' Named 'Buddha's seat' because the round, bowl-like leaves below the flowers resemble Buddhist statue pedestals. The 'hotokenoza' in spring seven herbs is Lapsanastrum humile, a different species.

Trivia

  • The 'hotokenoza' in spring seven herbs is actually different plant called Lapsanastrum humile
  • Also called 'Three-story grass' due to stepped stem structure
  • Has special cleistogamous flowers that self-pollinate while in bud
  • One of important early spring nectar source plants for honeybees

Uses

Ornamental
  • Wildflower garden cultivation
  • Natural garden accent
  • Spring wildflower appreciation
Medicinal
  • Anti-inflammatory effect in Chinese folk medicine
  • Used for wound treatment in Europe
  • Currently mainly ornamental use

Caution: Different species from edible spring seven herbs, caution needed

Culinary

Different from edible spring seven herbs hotokenoza (Lapsanastrum humile), not suitable for food

Other
  • Early spring nectar source plant
  • Ecosystem indicator plant
  • Environmental education material

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally non-toxic but not suitable for food

Stock
Gillyflower Ten-week Stock

Scientific Name: Matthiola incana
Family: Brassicaceae

Flower Language

  • Rich Affection
  • Bonds of Love
  • Eternal Beauty

Characteristics

Colors: Pink

Description

A plant of the Brassicaceae family native to the Mediterranean coast of Southern Europe, with the Japanese name 'Arasetou' (紫羅欄花). Originally perennial but treated as annual in Japan due to heat sensitivity. From March to May, it blooms 2-3cm diameter 4-petaled flowers in dense spikes on 20-80cm tall stems. Pink varieties are particularly beloved for their flower language of 'rich affection,' popular as cut flowers for their gentle fragrance and long-lasting quality. Flowers bloom progressively from bottom to top, allowing long enjoyment. Available in both double and single-flowered varieties with rich color variations.

Trivia

  • 'Stock' means 'stem,' named after its thick stems
  • Double-flowered varieties don't produce seeds, propagated by cuttings
  • Also called 'fragrant gillyflower' due to strong scent
  • Extremely popular flower in Victorian-era Britain

Uses

Ornamental
  • Spring flower bed planting
  • Cut flower use
  • Container gardening
Medicinal
  • Currently mainly ornamental use
  • Used as digestive herb in ancient times
  • Used as fragrance ingredient

Caution: Consult specialists for medicinal use

Culinary

Generally not used for culinary purposes

Other
  • Perfume ingredient
  • Pressed flower material
  • Dried flower

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally safe but avoid large consumption