March 20

Birth Flower

Acacia
Mimosa Wattle

Scientific Name: Acacia dealbata
Family: Fabaceae

Flower Language

  • secret love
  • friendship
  • fickle love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Blooms golden flowers from late February through March. Small pom-pom-like flowers cluster in bunches. Leaves are pinnately compound with silvery-green coloring. During the February-March flowering period, the entire tree turns yellow with numerous spherical clusters of small yellow flowers emitting fragrance. Characterized by fluffy, pom-pom-like adorable yellow flowers, distributed in warm regions. The Acacia genus includes about 1,350 species worldwide, with approximately 1,000 species distributed in Australia.

Trivia

  • Called 'mimosa' in Europe, but different from true mimosa (sensitive plant).
  • Called 'wattle' in Australia and designated as the national flower.
  • Tradition of giving acacia on International Women's Day (March 8) originated in France.
  • Flower language 'secret love' derives from Aboriginal love confession customs.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden trees
  • Cut flowers
  • Dried flowers
Medicinal
  • Australian Aboriginal peoples used bark medicinally.

Caution: Medicinal use not currently recommended.

Culinary
  • Seeds (some species)
Other
  • Timber use
  • Tannin extraction
  • Fragrance

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Bark, Leaves (some species)

Symptoms: Generally mild, but sensitive individuals may experience dermatitis.

Miniature Rose
Mini Rose Patio Rose

Scientific Name: Rosa chinensis var. minima
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • unconscious beauty
  • endless love
  • special achievement

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Among roses, mini roses bloom small, delicate flowers. Rich in flower colors, including chic brown varieties. Flower sizes range from 1cm to 4cm, easily used in bouquets and arrangements. About 20-50cm tall with small flowers and leaves, abundant flower colors. Shrub-type roses inheriting compact characteristics from Rosa chinensis 'Minima' (China Old Rose). Produces very small to small-medium flowers on compact plants, blooming continuously from spring to autumn under good conditions.

Trivia

  • Current mini rose ancestor is 'Rosa chinensis cv. minima'.
  • Breeding has created extremely diverse flower color variations.
  • Four-season blooming nature allows year-round flower enjoyment under good conditions.
  • Flower language 'endless love' derives from long history of being beloved by people.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Container planting
  • Balcony gardening
  • Table decoration
Medicinal
  • No particular medicinal uses.

Caution: No confirmed medicinal uses.

Culinary
  • Petals
Other
  • Flower arrangements
  • Bouquets
  • Pressed flowers

Toxicity

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

Sweet Pea
Fragrant Pea Everlasting Pea

Scientific Name: Lathyrus odoratus
Family: Fabaceae

Flower Language

  • gracefulness
  • departure
  • farewell
  • remember me

Characteristics

Colors: pink

Description

Blooms April-June with thin, frilly petals in various colors including red, pink, white, and purple. Has a subtly sweet, musky fragrance. Also called 'Edwardian flower,' beloved by Queen Alexandra, wife of British King Edward VII. The butterfly-like petals appear ready to take flight, inspiring flower meanings related to departure and farewell. Cherished as a representative spring flower, often used for graduation ceremonies and departure celebrations.

Trivia

  • Scientific name Lathyrus means 'bean,' odoratus means 'fragrant' in Latin.
  • Japanese names include 'Jako-endo' and 'Kaori-endo.'
  • Beloved by Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII, called 'Edwardian flower.'
  • Birth flower for February 15, March 15, March 20, and June 9.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Garden planting
  • Hanging baskets
Medicinal
  • No particular medicinal uses.

Caution: Seeds are toxic; avoid consumption.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption. Seeds are particularly toxic.

Other
  • Fragrance
  • Potpourri

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Seeds, Pods

Symptoms: Seed consumption may cause neurological disorders.

Tulip
Garden Tulip

Scientific Name: Tulipa gesneriana
Family: Liliaceae

Flower Language

  • hopeless love
  • honesty
  • nobility
  • immortal love

Characteristics

Colors: yellow, purple

Description

Blooms March-May, beloved worldwide for diverse flower colors and shapes as a bulb plant. Yellow tulips have flower meanings of 'honesty' and 'hopeless love,' while purple tulips represent 'nobility' and 'immortal love.' Purple tulips are particularly rare; in 17th-century Europe, bulbs traded at high prices due to their rarity. Now, through breeding, various colors and shapes of tulips have been created, making them indispensable spring garden flowers.

Trivia

  • 17th-century Netherlands experienced 'Tulip Mania,' a speculative frenzy.
  • Purple tulips sometimes traded for the price of a house.
  • Etymology from Turkish 'turban,' referring to flower's turban-like shape.
  • One of world's most famous bulb plants, with billions of bulbs produced annually.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden planting
  • Cut flowers
  • Bulb cultivation
Medicinal
  • No particular medicinal uses.

Caution: Bulbs are toxic; avoid consumption.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption. Bulbs are toxic.

Other
  • Bulb industry
  • Tourism

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Bulbs, Stems, Leaves

Symptoms: Ingestion may cause gastrointestinal disorders and dermatitis.