May 07

Birth Flower

Nasturtium
Garden Nasturtium Indian Cress

Scientific Name: Tropaeolum majus
Family: Tropaeolaceae

Flower Language

  • Victory
  • Patriotism
  • Overcoming Difficulties

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Nasturtium is an annual herb in the Tropaeolaceae family native to South America, known in Japanese as Kinrenka. It produces fiery red, yellow, and orange flowers and is known as a type of herb. While introduced to Japan as an ornamental during the Edo period, it has long been used as an edible medicine in Europe and America. All parts including flowers, leaves, buds, and seeds are edible, with a peppery bite and watercress-like flavor.

Trivia

  • Brought to Europe by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century
  • Called 'Capuchin' because flowers resemble monks' hoods
  • Immature seeds can be used as caper substitutes
  • Valued as companion plant for repelling aphids

Uses

Ornamental
  • Flower bed displays
  • Ground cover
  • Trailing varieties in hanging baskets
Medicinal
  • Rich in vitamin C for cold prevention
  • Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects
  • Diuretic effects

Caution: Large amounts may cause gastrointestinal upset

Culinary
  • Flowers
  • Leaves
  • Buds
  • Seeds
Other
  • Companion plant for pest deterrent
  • Can be used as natural dye

Toxicity

Symptoms: Safe for consumption, but large amounts may cause gastrointestinal upset

Livingstone Daisy
Mesembryanthemum Ice Plant

Scientific Name: Dorotheanthus bellidiformis
Family: Aizoaceae

Flower Language

  • Generous Giving

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Livingstone Daisy is an annual herb in the Aizoaceae family native to South Africa. In spring, it produces masses of daisy-like flowers in pink, purple, white, and yellow that overlap densely. The petals have a distinctive metallic luster that sparkles in sunlight. Poor lighting prevents good flowering, so ensuring adequate sunlight is key whether planted in gardens or containers.

Trivia

  • Named after explorer David Livingstone
  • Flowers only open when exposed to sunlight
  • Metallic luster comes from crystals within cells
  • Famous as a spring attraction in South Africa's Namaqualand

Uses

Ornamental
  • Flower bed edging
  • Rock gardens
  • Ground cover
Medicinal
  • Used in South African folk medicine but not common today

Caution: Medicinal use not recommended

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Arid land revegetation
  • Salt-tolerant landscaping

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported

Japanese Snowbell
Fragrant Snowbell Styrax

Scientific Name: Styrax japonica
Family: Styracaceae

Flower Language

  • Magnificence

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Japanese Snowbell is a deciduous tree in the Styracaceae family native to Japan, China, and Korea. From May to June, it produces abundant beautiful white bell-shaped flowers hanging downward on branches. The flowers have an elegant fragrance and it's beloved as a beautiful tree naturally found in mountains and fields. In autumn, it produces oval fruits containing saponins, which were once used as soap.

Trivia

  • Name derives from bitter taste when fruits are chewed
  • Saponins in fruits were used for washing clothes in the past
  • Dense wood used for carving materials
  • Flower language 'magnificence' comes from beautiful full bloom appearance

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden trees
  • Park trees
  • Tea ceremony flowers
Medicinal
  • Bark used in folk medicine but not common today

Caution: Medicinal use requires specialist knowledge

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Wood for timber use
  • Fruits as soap substitute
  • Prayer bead material

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Fruits

Symptoms: Fruits contain toxic compounds that may cause gastrointestinal upset if consumed

Tree Peony
Moutan Peony King of Flowers

Scientific Name: Paeonia suffruticosa
Family: Paeoniaceae

Flower Language

  • Wealth and Honor
  • Nobility
  • Bashfulness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Tree peony is a deciduous shrub in the Paeoniaceae family native to China, called the 'King of Flowers' for its magnificent large blooms from April to May. Unlike herbaceous peonies, it's a woody plant with stems that lignify and remain above ground in winter. Flowers are extremely large, reaching 15-20cm in diameter, in diverse colors including white, pink, red, purple, and yellow. Long beloved in China as a symbol of wealth and nobility, it has been cultivated in Japan since the Heian period.

Trivia

  • Revered as 'Flower King' and 'Flower God' in China
  • Introduced to Japan by monks during the Heian period
  • Thousands of horticultural varieties exist worldwide
  • Long-lived plants that can be enjoyed for decades once planted

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden centerpieces
  • Cut flowers
  • Bonsai cultivation
Medicinal
  • Root bark used in traditional Chinese medicine but not common today

Caution: Medicinal use requires specialist knowledge

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Painting subjects
  • Craft motifs
  • Perfume ingredients

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Roots

Symptoms: Root compounds may cause gastrointestinal upset if consumed in large amounts, but normal ornamental use poses no problem