May 12

Birth Flower

Japanese thistle
Thistle Cirsium

Scientific Name: Cirsium japonicum
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • independence
  • retaliation
  • austerity

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A plant of the Asteraceae family improved from the Japanese native field thistle. The alternative name 'German thistle' is said to have been coined by garden merchants in the Taisho era to promote new flowers. They grow wild across a wide range of the Northern Hemisphere, adapting to various environments from subtropical coasts to subalpine zones.

Trivia

  • Has over 500 years of history as Scotland's national flower
  • Roots are used as food called 'mountain burdock'
  • Over 250 species exist worldwide
  • Care needed to avoid confusion with toxic pokeweed family plants

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Dried flowers
  • Wild gardens
  • Natural style gardens
Medicinal
  • Stomach tonic
  • Diuretic
  • Detoxification
  • Neuralgia relief

Caution: Care needed when handling due to thorns

Culinary
  • Young stems and leaves
  • Flowers
  • Roots
Other
  • Used as herbal medicine
  • Food for wild animals
  • Nectar source for bees

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity, but beware of physical injury from thorns

Foxglove
Digitalis Purple foxglove

Scientific Name: Digitalis purpurea
Family: Plantaginaceae

Flower Language

  • cannot hide passionate feelings
  • insincerity
  • hidden feelings

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

In early summer, it produces bell-shaped flowers in spikes at the tips of stems over 1 meter tall. Its romantic yet wild appearance pairs perfectly with old roses. The scientific name derives from the Latin word for 'finger', referring to the flower's shape resembling finger coverings.

Trivia

  • Still used as source of cardiac medication digoxin
  • Accidental poisoning occurs due to similarity with comfrey leaves
  • William Withering published cardiac effects in 1776
  • Beloved for beautiful flowers despite deadly toxicity throughout plant

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Bedding plants
  • Cottage gardens
  • Natural style gardens
Medicinal
  • Used in medicine as cardiac stimulant

Caution: Extremely dangerous toxic plant, general use strictly prohibited

Culinary

Entire plant toxic, not edible

Other
  • Pharmaceutical raw material
  • Parent variety for horticultural breeding

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Severe

Toxic Parts: Entire plant, Leaves, Roots, Flowers, Seeds

Symptoms: Gastrointestinal disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, arrhythmia, headache, dizziness, cardiac arrest and death in severe cases

Canterbury bells
Bellflower Campanula

Scientific Name: Campanula medium
Family: Campanulaceae

Flower Language

  • grateful for happiness
  • sincerity
  • gratitude

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Campanula means 'little bell' in Greek. It has been cultivated in Europe since ancient times. It produces many bell-shaped flowers in blue-purple, pink, white, etc. on slender stems of 60 to 100 cm. In medieval Europe, it was used medicinally and culinarily in monasteries.

Trivia

  • Name derives from Greek meaning 'little bell'
  • Used as monastery herb in medieval Europe
  • About 300 species exist with rich diversity
  • Wind chime-like flower shape endears it to Japanese people

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Potted plants
  • Hanging baskets
  • Bedding plants
Medicinal
  • Insomnia improvement
  • Nervous hypersensitivity treatment
  • Digestive promotion

Caution: General medicinal use not currently recommended

Culinary
  • Roots (certain species only)
Other
  • Nectar source for bees
  • Dried flowers
  • Horticultural education material

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported