February 09

Birth Flower

Christmas Rose
Hellebore Lenten Rose

Scientific Name: Helleborus niger
Family: Ranunculaceae

Flower Language

  • Beloved Person
  • Comfort
  • Remembrance

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A perennial evergreen plant of the Ranunculaceae family native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Blooming beautiful flowers from December to April during the harsh winter period, it's called the 'winter lady.' What appears to be petals are actually sepals, with true petals having evolved into nectaries. True Christmas roses refer to white-flowered Helleborus niger, but in Japan the name includes garden hybrids. The gracefully drooping flowers are elegant, and being cold-hardy and shade-tolerant, it's beloved as a precious plant that brightens winter gardens. Caution is needed in handling as all parts contain toxins.

Trivia

  • What appears as petals are actually sepals, with true petals evolved into nectaries
  • Japan doesn't distinguish between true Christmas rose and Lenten rose
  • Downward-facing flowers protect pollen and pistils from rain
  • Seeds have elaiosomes that are carried by ants

Uses

Ornamental
  • Shade garden planting
  • Winter garden accent
  • Cut flower use
Medicinal
  • Used for treating madness and epilepsy in ancient times
  • Currently not used medically due to toxicity
  • Limited use in homeopathy

Caution: Medical use strictly prohibited due to strong toxicity throughout plant

Culinary

Not edible due to toxicity

Other
  • Horticultural breeding
  • Cut flower industry
  • Garden design material

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Severe

Toxic Parts: All parts (especially rhizomes), Seeds, Sap

Symptoms: Ingestion causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, cardiac paralysis; skin contact causes rash

Cattleya
Corsage Orchid Queen of Orchids

Scientific Name: Cattleya spp.
Family: Orchidaceae

Flower Language

  • Mature Adult Charm
  • Magic
  • Graceful Woman

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

An epiphytic plant of the Orchidaceae family native to Central and South America, beloved worldwide as the 'queen of orchids.' It grows naturally attached to trees in forests at 100-1500m elevation near the Andes Mountains. It has thick, large leaves and pseudobulbs, producing magnificent large flowers. Flowering periods vary by variety into spring, early summer, autumn, and winter bloomers, with many varieties having sweet fragrance. Since its introduction to Europe in the 19th century, horticultural breeding has advanced, resulting in thousands of varieties today. Cultivation requires temperature management and proper humidity, with specific methods for epiphytic plants.

Trivia

  • Traded as luxury item for tens of thousands of yen per plant in 19th-century Europe
  • Genus named after William Cattley
  • As epiphyte, planting in soil causes root rot
  • Individual flowers bloom relatively long, 1-3 weeks

Uses

Ornamental
  • Ornamental cultivation in greenhouses
  • Use as corsages
  • Premium houseplant for indoor gardening
Medicinal
  • Currently not used medicinally
  • Records of root use in South American folk medicine
  • Fragrance used in aromatherapy

Caution: Medical use not recommended

Culinary

Not used for culinary purposes

Other
  • Perfume ingredient
  • Luxury cut flower industry
  • Horticultural therapy material

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally considered non-toxic

Kawazu Cherry
Early-blooming Cherry

Scientific Name: Cerasus × kanzakura 'Kawazu-zakura'
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • First Love
  • Purity
  • I Entrust My Feelings

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A Japanese cherry cultivar discovered in Kawazu town, Shizuoka Prefecture in 1955. Believed to be a natural hybrid of Oshima cherry and Kanhizakura, it blooms for about a month starting from February. The flowers are single-petaled, large (4-5cm diameter), with characteristic deep pink (purple-red) color, blooming 1-2 months earlier than Somei Yoshino. Can be planted in gardens from Kanto region westward. Kawazu town holds an annual cherry blossom festival from February to March, attracting many tourists nationwide. As a precious early spring flower, plantings are increasing in various locations recently.

Trivia

  • Originated from single seedling accidentally discovered by Katsumi Iida in Kawazu town in 1955
  • Annual Kawazu Cherry Festival in February-March attracts about 1 million tourists
  • Major characteristic is long flowering period of about 1 month compared to typical cherries
  • Recently flowering time tends to advance due to global warming effects

Uses

Ornamental
  • Landscape planting in tourist areas
  • Use in parks and street trees
  • Private cultivation as garden tree
Medicinal
  • Currently not used medicinally
  • No records of folk use of flowers or leaves
  • Mainly ornamental purposes only

Caution: Medicinal use not recommended

Culinary
  • Flowers (as cherry tea)
  • Leaves (for sakura-mochi)
Other
  • Contribution to tourism industry
  • Regional branding
  • Cut branch use in flower arranging

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally safe but avoid large consumption of seeds or bark

Royal Fern
Japanese Royal Fern Flowering Fern

Scientific Name: Osmunda japonica
Family: Osmundaceae

Flower Language

  • Mature Elegance
  • Protection of Descendants
  • Reverie

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A perennial fern of the Osmundaceae family native to East Asia, growing wild in moist environments throughout Japan. In early spring, it produces spiral young fronds (shoots) from underground rhizomes, characteristically covered with cotton-like fibers. It has separate sexes, with sterile fronds (male zenmai) and fertile fronds (female zenmai). It has been used as an important mountain vegetable since ancient times, also dried for preserved food. It prefers moist soil and sunny to semi-shaded locations, commonly found near streams and waterways. Along with bracken, it's a representative mountain vegetable deeply rooted in Japanese food culture.

Trivia

  • Named after resemblance of young shoots to clock springs (zenmai)
  • Different names for sexes: sterile fronds called 'male zenmai,' fertile fronds 'female zenmai'
  • Dried form can be stored over a year, was important preserved food in the past
  • Relatively large among ferns, sometimes growing over 1 meter tall

Uses

Ornamental
  • Japanese garden planting
  • Wetland garden use
  • Natural garden accent
Medicinal
  • Used in Chinese traditional medicine
  • Fever-reducing effect in folk medicine
  • Currently mainly culinary use

Caution: Consult specialists for medicinal use

Culinary
  • Young shoots
  • Young fronds
Other
  • Ecosystem indicator plant
  • Environmental education material
  • Traditional culture preservation

Toxicity

Symptoms: Safe when properly cooked but avoid eating raw

Myrtle
Common Myrtle True Myrtle

Scientific Name: Myrtus communis
Family: Myrtaceae

Flower Language

  • Noble Beauty
  • Love
  • Whispers of Love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

An evergreen shrub of the Myrtaceae family native from the Mediterranean coast to southwestern Europe. It blooms white 5-petaled flowers about 2cm in diameter from May to June, characterized by numerous slender stamens and sweet fruity fragrance. The oval leaves release fragrance when crushed and are used as herb (myrtle) for cooking seasoning. In ancient Greece, it was offered to Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, and used in bridal bouquets. It appears in the Bible as symbol of 'joy' and 'peace,' also called 'tree of celebration.' After flowering, it produces black olive-like fruits. It's drought and heat-resistant, also used for hedges and topiary.

Trivia

  • Traditional use in British royal wedding bouquets
  • Historically used in Olympic victory crowns
  • Leaf essential oil contains eucalyptol
  • Valued in Mediterranean cuisine for removing odors from pork and lamb

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden tree planting
  • Hedge use
  • Topiary material
Medicinal
  • Used since ancient times for antiseptic and antibacterial effects
  • Essential oil for skin care
  • Currently used in aromatherapy

Caution: Use essential oil in appropriate amounts

Culinary
  • Leaves (as flavoring)
  • Fruits (small amounts)
Other
  • Perfume ingredient
  • Cosmetic component
  • Fragrance for religious ceremonies

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally safe but avoid large consumption