February 20

Birth Flower

Kobushi magnolia
Japanese magnolia Kobus magnolia

Scientific Name: Magnolia kobus
Family: Magnoliaceae

Flower Language

  • friendship
  • trust

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Kobushi is a native Japanese deciduous tall tree from the Magnoliaceae family, distributed from Hokkaido to Kyushu and Jeju Island. It produces large white flowers in early spring before leaves emerge, ahead of other trees. Named for its buds resembling a child's clenched fist, the flowers have a lemon-like fragrance. Dried flower buds are used as 'Shin-i' herbal medicine for treating rhinitis and hay fever.

Trivia

  • Named for buds resembling a child's clenched fist
  • Endemic to Japan, not naturally found in China
  • Agricultural saying: 'Prepare rice planting when kobushi blooms'
  • Shin-i herbal medicine still widely used in traditional medicine today

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden tree for early spring landscape
  • Park and street tree planting
  • Bonsai cultivation for miniature enjoyment
Medicinal
  • Dried flower buds 'Shin-i' used for rhinitis and hay fever treatment
  • Herbal medicine with sedative, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects

Caution: Large amounts may cause dizziness and congestion

Culinary

Not edible

Other
  • Agricultural seasonal indicator
  • Wood used for crafts
  • Research material for fragrance components

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: flower buds (when consumed in large amounts)

Symptoms: Large medicinal doses may cause dizziness and congestion

Marguerite
Paris daisy Boston daisy

Scientific Name: Argyranthemum frutescens
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • course of love
  • flower divination
  • secret love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Marguerite is a perennial from the Asteraceae family, native to the Spanish Canary Islands. It reached Europe in the late 17th century and was introduced to Japan in the late Meiji period. This beautiful plant with deep-lobed green leaves contrasting with white flowers refreshes gardens from spring to early summer. Famous for love divination where petals are plucked while saying 'love me, love me not,' it has a long blooming period from autumn through the following spring.

Trivia

  • Petals are mostly odd-numbered, so starting with 'love' usually ends with 'love'
  • In Europe, sometimes divined with four choices: 'love, love a little, love a lot, not at all'
  • Relatively new garden plant introduced to Japan in late Meiji period
  • Many positive love-related flower meanings with no scary connotations

Uses

Ornamental
  • Long-term enjoyment in flower beds and containers
  • Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
  • Border planting in gardening
Medicinal
  • Grown for ornamental purposes, no medicinal use

Caution: No medicinal effects

Culinary

Not edible

Other
  • Cultural plant used for love divination
  • Dried flowers for long-term preservation
  • Educational plant for horticultural learning

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported