May 15

Birth Flower

Siberian iris
Japanese ayame Blood iris

Scientific Name: Iris sanguinea
Family: Iridaceae

Flower Language

  • capriciousness
  • good news
  • message

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

It is common to write '菖蒲' and read it as 'Ayame'. There is a saying 'which is Ayame or Kakitsubata' used to describe beautiful women, but Ayame grows on dry land while Kakitsubata grows in wetlands. It blooms lovely purple, blue-purple, and white flowers from May to June. The flowers are day-blooming but successive blooms allow long enjoyment.

Trivia

  • Famous saying comparing beauties 'which is Ayame or Kakitsubata'
  • Named after Iris, the rainbow goddess in Greek mythology
  • Day-blooming flowers but successive blooms allow long enjoyment
  • Key difference: Ayame grows on dry land, Kakitsubata in wetlands

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden planting
  • Potted plants
  • Cut flowers
  • Japanese gardens
  • Waterside plantings
Medicinal
  • Rhizomes believed to have stomachic and diuretic effects

Caution: Dangerous for medicinal use as toxic plant

Culinary

Not edible due to toxicity

Other
  • Subject of literary works
  • Traditional craft designs
  • Seasonal word in haiku

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Entire plant, Especially rhizomes

Symptoms: Digestive symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, and gastroenteritis

Rhododendron
Western rhododendron

Scientific Name: Rhododendron hybridum
Family: Ericaceae

Flower Language

  • dignity
  • majesty
  • solemnity

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

In the 19th century, when British plant hunters brought rhododendrons back from the Himalayas and Japan, people were fascinated by their beauty. Subsequently, crossbreeding was repeatedly carried out in pursuit of magnificent flowers, and they were re-imported to Japan from the Meiji period onward. They have large flowers with colorful varieties and numerous cultivars.

Trivia

  • Brought back from Himalayas by 19th-century plant hunters
  • Beauty called the queen of flowering trees
  • All parts including leaves, stems, flowers, and nectar are toxic
  • Many improved varieties were re-imported from Japan

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden trees
  • Park plantings
  • Bonsai
  • Cut flowers
  • Container gardens
Medicinal

Caution: Dangerous for medicinal use as toxic plant

Culinary

Not edible due to toxic compounds

Other
  • Parent variety for horticultural breeding
  • Premium landscaping material
  • Tourism resource

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Severe

Toxic Parts: Entire plant, Leaves, Stems, Flowers, Nectar

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, arrhythmia, headache, dizziness, cardiac arrest in severe cases

Chameleon plant
Fish mint Fish herb Fishwort

Scientific Name: Houttuynia cordata
Family: Saururaceae

Flower Language

  • white memories
  • wildness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A perennial distributed across a wide area from Japan to China, Himalayas, and Southeast Asia. It grows in colonies in moist shaded areas and has a characteristic odor throughout. It has long been used as folk medicine and is called 'Juyaku' as a crude drug. In Vietnam, it is used not only as an herb but also as a vegetable.

Trivia

  • Despite 'poison' in Japanese name, it is actually non-toxic
  • Crude drug name 'Juyaku' suggests ten beneficial effects
  • Used as spring roll ingredient in Vietnam
  • Long beloved as folk medicine in Japan

Uses

Ornamental
  • Ground cover
  • Shade gardens
  • Natural gardens
  • Wild plant gardens
Medicinal
  • Diuretic effect
  • Bowel movement improvement
  • Treatment of dermatitis
  • Antibacterial action

Caution: Excessive consumption may cause diarrhea and abdominal pain. Caution for those with kidney disease

Culinary
  • Leaves
  • Stems
Other
  • Crude drug (Juyaku)
  • Health tea ingredient
  • Folk therapy

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic but excessive consumption may cause digestive symptoms