March 30

Birth Flower

Bay laurel
Sweet bay Laurel tree

Scientific Name: Laurus nobilis
Family: Lauraceae

Flower Language

  • honor and victory
  • glory
  • victory

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Gekkei-ju is an evergreen shrub or tree of the Lauraceae family native to the Mediterranean coast, revered as a symbol of victory and honor since ancient Greek and Roman times. Laurel wreaths woven from its leaves are famous for crowning victors and heroes, still used today in events like the Olympics. Dried leaves are used as the spice 'laurel' (bay leaves), adding distinctive fragrance to meat dishes and stews. It's dioecious, blooming with small yellowish-white flowers in spring and producing dark purple fruits in autumn. Being evergreen and relatively cold-hardy, it's also popular as a garden tree.

Trivia

  • Plant that became source of word 'laurel'
  • Bay laurel used in Napoleon's coat of arms
  • Laurel wreaths placed on generals' heads in ancient Roman triumphs
  • Origin of term 'poet laureate'

Uses

Ornamental
  • garden trees
  • hedges
  • potted plants
  • topiary
Medicinal
  • used as digestive aid since ancient times
  • external medicine for arthritis
  • insect repellent effects

Caution: avoid use during pregnancy

Culinary
  • leaves (dried)
Other
  • essential oil extraction
  • soap fragrance
  • laurel wreath material

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: leaves (when consumed in large quantities)

Symptoms: no problem with appropriate use, but possible mild symptoms with excessive consumption

Sweet pea
Everlasting pea Perennial pea

Scientific Name: Lathyrus odoratus
Family: Fabaceae

Flower Language

  • remember me
  • elegance
  • departure

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Sweet pea is an annual of the Fabaceae family native to southern Italy and Sicily, named for its sweet fragrance. From spring to early summer, it blooms with fluttering butterfly-shaped flowers at the tips of slender stems. Flower colors are very abundant including white, pink, purple, red, and blue, with delicate beautiful flowers resembling draped chiffon that are very romantic. Being a climbing plant requiring support, it's extremely popular as cut flowers, often used in bouquets and flower arrangements. Characterized by strong fragrance and good flower longevity.

Trivia

  • Became famous through Seiko Matsuda's song 'Red Sweet Pea'
  • Sometimes called 'King's flower' as flower beloved by Edward VII
  • Over 500 varieties now exist through breeding
  • Fragrance components used as natural perfume ingredients

Uses

Ornamental
  • cut flowers
  • bouquets
  • flower beds
  • arch training
Medicinal

Caution: no confirmed medicinal use

Culinary

not suitable for consumption (contains toxic compounds)

Other
  • fragrance ingredient
  • dried flowers

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: seeds, whole plant

Symptoms: possible neurological symptoms, muscle paralysis

Scotch broom
Common broom European broom

Scientific Name: Cytisus scoparius
Family: Fabaceae

Flower Language

  • modesty
  • cleanliness
  • humility

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Enishida is a deciduous shrub of the Fabaceae family native to western to central Europe, blooming with bright yellow butterfly-shaped flowers covering branches from April to June. Branches are slender and flexible, spreading like a broom, hence the English name 'broom'. Indeed, brooms were once made from these branches. After flowering, it produces small bean-like fruits that ripen black in autumn. A hardy plant that grows well in poor soil and is drought-resistant. Popular as garden trees and park trees, also used as cut flowers.

Trivia

  • Called 'broom' because brooms were once made from its branches
  • Historic flower also used in Plantagenet dynasty emblem
  • Improves soil through root nodule bacteria as legume plant
  • Used for land reclamation as it grows in poor soil

Uses

Ornamental
  • garden trees
  • park trees
  • cut flowers
  • bonsai
Medicinal
  • records of use as folk medicine in Europe

Caution: medicinal use not recommended due to toxic compounds

Culinary

not suitable for consumption (toxic)

Other
  • broom material (traditional)
  • landscaping plant
  • soil improvement

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: seeds, leaves, flowers

Symptoms: changes in heart rate, digestive symptoms