May 21

Birth Flower

Summer Snowflake
Giant Snowdrop Loddon Lily

Scientific Name: Leucojum aestivum
Family: Amaryllidaceae

Flower Language

  • Memory

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A bulbous perennial native to Central and Eastern Europe, blooming with white bell-shaped flowers from March to April. The flowers resemble lily-of-the-valley and the leaves resemble narcissus, hence the Japanese name 'Suzuran-suisen'. The flower petals have green spots at their tips and emit a violet-like fragrance.

Trivia

  • The scientific name Leucojum means 'white violet' in Greek
  • Accidental ingestion may occur due to leaf similarity with chives
  • Also called 'Loddon Lily' in Britain
  • Distinguished by characteristic green spots at petal tips

Uses

Ornamental
  • Planted in spring flower beds and rock gardens
  • Used as cut flowers
  • Enjoyed as potted plants
Medicinal

Caution: Should not be used medicinally as the entire plant contains toxic alkaloids

Culinary

Not edible

Other
  • Occasionally used for fragrance

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Severe

Toxic Parts: Entire plant, Bulbs, Leaves, Flowers

Symptoms: Ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and other poisoning symptoms.

Rose
Garden Rose

Scientific Name: Rosa hybrida
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • Love
  • Beauty

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A deciduous shrub of the Rosaceae family Rosa genus, beloved worldwide as the 'Queen of Flowers'. With over 40,000 varieties, it offers rich diversity in color, form, and fragrance. Since ancient times, it has been cherished as a symbol of love and beauty. The famous story tells how the beautiful Cleopatra scattered red rose petals throughout her room when welcoming her lover Antony. Even today, roses continue to reign as the number one flower women want to receive as gifts.

Trivia

  • Over 40,000 varieties exist worldwide
  • Third largest cut flower production value in Japan
  • Historically significant as symbol of War of the Roses
  • Napoleon's wife Josephine collected 250 rose varieties

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden and flower bed ornamental use
  • Used as cut flowers
  • Potted plant cultivation
  • Training on arches and fences
Medicinal
  • Rose hips rich in vitamin C
  • Relaxation effects in aromatherapy
  • Beauty benefits in cosmetics

Caution: Generally safe with no specific cautions

Culinary
  • Petals
  • Rose hips (fruit)
Other
  • Raw material for perfumes and cosmetics
  • Rose oil production
  • Used as dried flowers

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally safe with no specific symptoms