March 03

Birth Flower

Nanohana
Rapeseed Flowers Canola Flowers

Scientific Name: Brassica rapa
Family: Brassicaceae

Flower Language

  • Unexpected Encounter
  • Cheerfulness
  • Small Happiness
  • Full of Energy

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

General term for Brassicaceae plants native to Japan, China, and Southern Europe. Cultivation began in Edo period for rapeseed oil extraction. Now diversely used for ornamental, food, and oil production. Buds, flower stems, and young leaves are edible with characteristic mild bitterness and fresh texture. Vitamin-colored yellow flowers brighten people's spirits.

Trivia

  • Scientific name 'rapa' means turnip, diverse vegetables derived from same species
  • Rapeseed oil important as lamp oil in Edo period
  • Green-yellow vegetable especially rich in β-carotene and vitamin C
  • Nanohana fields have significant economic impact as tourist destinations

Uses

Ornamental
  • Nanohana fields created for viewing
  • Used as cut flowers
  • Spring garden decoration
Medicinal
  • No particular medicinal effects known
  • Contributes to health as nutritious green-yellow vegetable

Caution: No particular cautions needed

Culinary
  • Buds
  • Flower stems
  • Young leaves
Other
  • Rapeseed oil source
  • Green manure for soil improvement
  • Biodiesel fuel source

Toxicity

Symptoms:

Flowering Peach
Ornamental Peach Peach Blossom

Scientific Name: Prunus persica
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • You Have Captured My Heart
  • Captivated by Love
  • Good Nature
  • Charming

Characteristics

Colors: Pink

Description

A deciduous tree native to China, peach varieties improved for flower viewing. Blooms beautiful red-purple, white, and pink flowers from March to April. Used in Hinamatsuri to wish for healthy growth of girls. Genpei variety with both white and red flowers on same tree particularly popular. Many horticultural varieties created since Edo period.

Trivia

  • Scientific name 'persica' means 'of Persia' but actual origin is China
  • Many varieties created during Edo period gardening boom
  • Genpei variety rare for having both red and white flowers on one tree
  • Kanji for peach combines 'tree' and 'omen', auspicious symbol of fertility

Uses

Ornamental
  • Planted as garden trees
  • Used as cut flowers
  • Enjoyed as bonsai
Medicinal
  • Seeds used as 'tounin' for treating gynecological conditions
  • Leaves in bath said effective for eczema and rashes

Caution: Medicinal use requires expertise, avoid amateur use

Culinary
  • Fruits (depending on variety)
Other
  • Hinamatsuri decoration material
  • Tea ceremony flower material
  • Planted as commemorative trees

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Seeds (contain amygdalin)

Symptoms: Large consumption of seeds may cause digestive symptoms

Chinese Milk Vetch
Astragalus Milk Vetch

Scientific Name: Astragalus sinicus
Family: Fabaceae

Flower Language

  • Ease My Suffering
  • Pain Eases When With You
  • Heart at Peace
  • My Happiness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

An annual from China, formally named Genge. Introduced in Muromachi period, used as green manure that enriches soil through root bacteria. Purple-pink flowers covering spring fields are quintessential Japanese scenery. Named for resemblance to lotus flowers. Young shoots edible, flowers serve as honey source, roots used medicinally for multiple purposes.

Trivia

  • Scientific name 'sinicus' means 'of China'
  • Formal Japanese name is Genge but Rengesou more beloved
  • Edo period haiku poet wrote 'Don't pick, leave in field, renge grass'
  • Performs nitrogen fixation through symbiosis with root bacteria

Uses

Ornamental
  • Planted across fields for viewing
  • Used as cut flowers
  • Viewing in wild plant gardens
Medicinal
  • Roots have medicinal properties for fever reduction and diuresis
  • Leaf juice used for wound treatment
  • Transmitted as folk medicine

Caution: As folk medicine use, consult experts for medical purposes

Culinary
  • Young shoots
  • Flowers
Other
  • Soil improvement as green manure
  • Beekeeping as nectar source
  • Tourism use as landscape crop

Toxicity

Symptoms: