April 29

Birth Flower

Bird's-foot Trefoil
Lotus Corniculatus Eggs and Bacon

Scientific Name: Lotus corniculatus
Family: Fabaceae

Flower Language

  • whimsical heart
  • revenge
  • until we meet again

Characteristics

Colors: yellow

Description

Miyakogusa is a perennial plant native to Europe in the Fabaceae family that naturalized in Japan during the Meiji period. It blooms yellow butterfly-shaped flowers from May to October, with seed pods shaped like bird's feet. The stems spread by creeping along the ground, and it is a familiar wild plant commonly seen along roadsides, grasslands, and coastal sandy areas. It is said to be named 'capital grass' because it was frequently seen in ancient Kyoto.

Trivia

  • English name 'Bird's-foot Trefoil' comes from seed pods shaped like bird's feet
  • As a legume, symbioses with root nodule bacteria to fix nitrogen in soil
  • Flowers have circadian rhythm, opening in morning and closing in evening
  • Has over 2000 years of history as pasture grass in Europe

Uses

Ornamental
  • Natural presentation in wildflower gardens
  • Used as ground cover
  • Popular material for pressed flowers
Medicinal
  • Used for wound treatment in European folk medicine
  • Currently not used medicinally

Caution: Effects in modern medicine unconfirmed, use for ornamental purposes is recommended

Culinary
  • young leaves
  • flowers
Other
  • Used as green manure with soil improvement effects
  • Important as nectar source for insects
  • Used in research as ecological indicator plant

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally non-toxic with edible young leaves, but be careful about harvesting environment

Gardenia
Cape Jasmine Common Gardenia

Scientific Name: Gardenia jasminoides
Family: Rubiaceae

Flower Language

  • very happy and joyful
  • I am very happy
  • bringing joy

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

Kuchinashi is an evergreen shrub native to East Asia in the Rubiaceae family that blooms pure white sweetly fragrant flowers in early summer. The flowers are 6-petaled, 5-7cm in diameter, and emit strong fragrance upon blooming. The fruits have been used as dye since ancient times, including for yellow coloring of sweet chestnut paste. In America, it is known as the flower men give to women at their first dance party.

Trivia

  • The name 'kuchinashi (mouthless)' comes from fruits not opening their 'mouth' (not dehiscing) when ripe
  • Has over 100 years of tradition in America as flower men give to women at proms and dance parties
  • Fruit dye has been used as traditional Japanese yellow dye since the Nara period
  • Flower fragrance becomes stronger at night

Uses

Ornamental
  • Main fragrant flowering tree in gardens
  • Enjoyed as cut flowers for short periods
  • Cultivated as bonsai
Medicinal
  • Fruits used as 'shanzhizi' in traditional Chinese medicine
  • Believed to have anti-inflammatory, fever-reducing, and cholagogue effects
  • Used externally for treating bruises and sprains

Caution: Medicinal use should be under professional guidance, avoid amateur use

Culinary
  • fruits (for dyeing)
Other
  • Yellow pigment extracted as natural dye
  • Flower essential oil used as raw material for perfumes and cosmetics
  • Long-term preservation as dried flowers

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally non-toxic, fruits can be safely used as food dye