April 17

Birth Flower

Downy Cherry
Nanking Cherry Chinese Bush Cherry

Scientific Name: Prunus tomentosa
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • nostalgia
  • homesickness
  • brilliance

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A deciduous shrub native to northwestern China, Korea, and the Mongolian plateau, introduced to Japan in the early Edo period. It blooms small white to pale pink flowers around April and produces red fruits about 1cm in diameter around June. Despite having 'ume' (plum) in its name, it belongs to the genus Prunus and produces edible cherry-like fruits. Characterized by hairy young branches and leaves, the fruits are sweet-sour and can be eaten fresh.

Trivia

  • Despite the name containing 'ume' (plum), it actually belongs to the cherry genus
  • Has been beloved as a 'garden fruit tree' since the Edo period
  • Fruits are also called 'mountain cherry peach' and loved as a nostalgic childhood flavor
  • Called 'Yingtao' in China and has been cultivated since ancient times

Uses

Ornamental
  • Planted as garden trees
  • Cultivated as bonsai
  • Used as hedges
Medicinal
  • Fruit wine for digestive aid
  • Nutritive tonic effects
  • Appetite stimulation

Caution: Seeds contain slight toxicity, caution required

Culinary
  • Ripe fruits
Other
  • Bird food
  • Nectar source plant

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Seeds

Symptoms: Amygdalin in seeds may cause mild digestive upset

Osteospermum
African Daisy Blue-eyed Daisy

Scientific Name: Osteospermum ecklonis
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • healthy in mind and body
  • vitality
  • innocence

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A semi-hardy perennial from South Africa in the Asteraceae family that blooms beautiful flowers from March to June and September to November. The petals have a glossy shine and open with the sun, closing at night or on cloudy and rainy days. It has a rich variety of flower colors, and recently bicolor varieties with two flower colors have appeared and gained popularity. It can withstand temperatures down to around -5°C and is relatively easy to grow.

Trivia

  • Called 'sun flower' because flowers open and close with the sun
  • The glossy petals are considered one source of its name
  • Diverse flower colors have been created through breeding
  • Some varieties have been developed by Japanese breeders

Uses

Ornamental
  • Spring flower bed planting
  • Enjoyed as potted plants
  • Material for mixed plantings
Medicinal
  • Traditional South African medicine for skin treatment
  • Anti-inflammatory properties

Caution: Consult professionals for medicinal use

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Used as cut flowers
  • Nectar source plant
  • Ground cover

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported

Japanese Water Iris
Rabbit-ear Iris Kakitsubata

Scientific Name: Iris laevigata
Family: Iridaceae

Flower Language

  • happiness will come
  • happiness is yours
  • gift
  • nobility

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A perennial distributed from southern Siberia to Japan that forms colonies in wetlands. It blooms beautiful purple flowers from May to June, characterized by narrow upright inner petals and white to pale yellow markings in the center of outer petals. It has appeared in Japanese literature since the Heian period and is famous from Ariwara no Narihira's poem 'Kakitsubata'. The name is said to derive from 'kakitsuke-bana' (dyeing flower) referring to the practice of dyeing clothes with flower juice.

Trivia

  • Ariwara no Narihira's poem 'Kakitsubata' is one of the masterpieces of Japanese classical literature
  • Famous at 'Kakitsubata Garden' tourist attraction in Toyoake City, Aichi Prefecture
  • The kanji 'swallow child flower' was named for its resemblance to flying swallows
  • Can be distinguished from other irises by the patterns at the base of the flowers

Uses

Ornamental
  • Planted in wetland gardens
  • Pond-side decoration
  • Display in aquatic plant gardens
Medicinal
  • Traditional medicine for fever reduction
  • Alleviating joint pain

Caution: Consult professionals for medicinal use

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Used as dye (historically)
  • Water purification plant
  • Ecosystem conservation

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported

Yellow Flag
Yellow Iris Water Flag

Scientific Name: Iris pseudacorus
Family: Iridaceae

Flower Language

  • revenge
  • happiness of believers

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A perennial native to Europe and western Asia, introduced to Japan as an ornamental in the Meiji period. It blooms bright yellow flowers from May to June and forms colonies in wetlands and waterside areas. It has extremely strong reproductive power and spreads both by seeds and rhizomes, displacing native iris species and wetland plants like skunk cabbage, causing serious ecological impacts. Currently designated as a species requiring attention as an alien species.

Trivia

  • Designated as a species requiring attention and classified as a priority invasive species
  • Considered one of the models for the French fleur-de-lis
  • Its excessive reproductive power is pushing native wetland plants to extinction
  • Removal activities are conducted in various locations, but complete eradication is considered difficult

Uses

Ornamental
  • Waterside landscape plant (cultivation not recommended)
  • Used as cut flowers
  • Viewing in historical gardens
Medicinal
  • Traditional European medicine for wound treatment
  • Anti-inflammatory properties (historical use)

Caution: Currently not recommended for medicinal use

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Bioremediation (water purification)
  • Ecosystem impact research
  • Educational material for invasive species management

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported