March 19

Birth Flower

Chinese Milk Vetch
Astragalus Purple Cloud Vine

Scientific Name: Astragalus sinicus
Family: Fabaceae

Flower Language

  • fruitful happiness
  • soothing heart
  • pain eases when with you

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

The Japanese name is Genge, but it's commonly called Renge or Rengesou. Cultivated as a green manure crop in rice field rotation, pastoral landscapes with purple-red flowers blooming in spring were once common nationwide but are becoming rarer. Small bean flowers bloom radially on 10-15cm flower stems, with beautiful coloring that's white near the base and deepens to pink at the petal tips. Being a legume, it hosts nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules, accumulating nitrogen in soil and enriching fertility.

Trivia

  • Chinese name 'Purple Cloud Vine' comes from fields blooming like purple clouds.
  • Widely cultivated in Japanese rice fields until the Showa era, a spring tradition.
  • Environmentally friendly plant that enriches soil without chemical fertilizers through nitrogen-fixing bacteria symbiosis.
  • Important nectar source for bees; Chinese milk vetch honey is known for high quality.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Rural landscape plants
  • Wildflower gardens
  • Natural gardens
Medicinal
  • Diuretic effects
  • Antipyretic effects
  • Folk medicine use

Caution: Medicinal use should be under expert guidance.

Culinary
  • Flowers
  • Young leaves
  • Stems
Other
  • Green manure crop
  • Soil improvement
  • Nitrogen fixation

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic.

Scented Geranium
Rose Geranium Fragrant Geranium

Scientific Name: Pelargonium graveolens
Family: Geraniaceae

Flower Language

  • unexpected encounter
  • lovesickness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

While regular geraniums have an unpleasant odor, this variety is used as an herb in cooking and crafts. Early summer flowers are often charming, making it one of the most useful flowering plants. Unlike regular geraniums, they have a different impression with delicate, fine petals and a wild, natural atmosphere. Besides the typical rose geranium, there are varieties with mint, citrus-fruit, and spice fragrances. Essential oils are extracted from leaves and used in aromatherapy oils, bath additives, herbal teas, and cooking.

Trivia

  • Rose geranium's rose-like fragrance makes it a substitute for rose in perfumery.
  • Said to repel mosquitoes when placed near windows.
  • Introduced to Europe in the 17th century, gaining important status in perfume industry.
  • Large quantities of leaves needed for one drop of essential oil, making it precious.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Herb gardens
  • Container cultivation
  • Fragrance gardens
Medicinal
  • Relaxation effects
  • Skin conditioning
  • Insect repellent effects

Caution: Pregnant women should avoid use.

Culinary
  • Leaves
  • Flowers
Other
  • Essential oil extraction
  • Potpourri
  • Bath additives
  • Aromatherapy

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves (when consumed in large quantities)

Symptoms: Safe in appropriate amounts, but avoid large consumption.

Thistle
Japanese Thistle Cirsium

Scientific Name: Cirsium japonicum
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • independence
  • peace of mind
  • strictness
  • don't touch

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Perennials, rarely annuals or biennials. Leaves are alternate with complex deep pinnate divisions, many with sharp thorns on leaf margins and involucres that are quite painful to touch. Flowers are about 4cm in size, blooming in charming purple, pink, or white colors. Over 250 species of Cirsium exist worldwide, widely distributed in various environments from subtropical coasts to subalpine zones, including wetlands, disturbed areas, gravel beds, and forests. Thorns evolved to protect against herbivore consumption.

Trivia

  • Name 'Azami' comes from 'asamu' (to wound), referring to being pricked by thorns.
  • Scotland's national flower, famous as the 'flower that saved the country' by repelling Danish armies.
  • Japanese thistle is the only thistle that blooms in spring; others flower summer to autumn.
  • Kincho company name was derived from marigold (kin) and thistle (cho).

Uses

Ornamental
  • Wildflower gardens
  • Natural gardens
  • Dried flowers
Medicinal
  • Hemostatic effects
  • Anti-inflammatory effects
  • Diuretic effects

Caution: Medicinal use should be under expert guidance.

Culinary
  • Young stems and leaves
  • Flowers
  • Roots
Other
  • Soil conservation
  • Wildlife food

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic, but sharp thorns may cause injury.