June 06

Birth Flower

Statice
Sea Lavender Marsh Rosemary Limonium

Scientific Name: Limonium sinuatum
Family: Plumbaginaceae

Flower Language

  • knowledge
  • unchanging heart
  • graceful
  • joy of love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Native to the Mediterranean coastal regions, this plant has evolved extremely developed sepals (the colorful parts that appear to be petals) to protect the actual flowers from the harsh winds and dry conditions of its seaside habitat. The true flowers are small yellow or white parts within the sepals. Growing 60-90cm tall, multiple flowers cluster in spike-like formations at the ends of branched stems. Available in various colors including blue, pink, yellow, white, purple, and red, they retain their color even when dried, earning them the nickname 'eternal flowers'.

Trivia

  • The name Statice derives from 'statizo' (to stop) due to its antidiarrheal properties
  • The actual flowers are small yellow or white parts inside the colorful sepals
  • Called 'eternal flowers' as dried flowers retain color for over 2 years
  • Cut flowers can maintain freshness for 1-2 weeks

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers (exceptionally long-lasting)
  • Dried flowers (one of the most popular choices)
  • Garden planting (suitable for coastal areas)
Medicinal
  • Roots used as antidiarrheal since ancient times
  • Wound healing through astringent properties

Caution: Medicinal use should be under professional guidance

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Natural dye (purple and blue pigments from flowers)
  • Potpourri ingredient

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported

Babiana
Baboon Flower Winecup

Scientific Name: Babiana stricta
Family: Iridaceae

Flower Language

  • fading affection

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A native South African bulb plant with purple and blue as primary colors, producing charming small upward-facing flowers in spring. Though similar to freesia, it is much more robust. Growing 20-40cm tall and 15-25cm wide, the leaves are sword-shaped like iris or gladiolus, standing upright with prominent vertical veins creating distinct ridged patterns on the leaf surface. Flowers bloom in spike-like formations on extended stems from April to May.

Trivia

  • The name derives from Dutch 'babianer' meaning baboon
  • Bulbs gradually grow deeper, requiring annual repotting
  • Though similar to freesia, babiana has superior cold tolerance
  • Classified as one of South Africa's 'Cape bulbs'

Uses

Ornamental
  • Potted plants (beautiful when densely planted)
  • Ground planting (possible in warm regions)
  • Cut flowers (short-term enjoyment)
Medicinal
  • Bulbs used as medicinal herbs in traditional South African medicine

Caution: Medicinal use of bulbs requires professional guidance

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Research purposes (study of South African endemic plants)

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: bulbs

Symptoms: Large consumption of bulbs may cause gastrointestinal discomfort

Penstemon
Beardtongue Foxglove Beardtongue

Scientific Name: Penstemon digitalis
Family: Plantaginaceae

Flower Language

  • admiration for beauty
  • enchanted by you
  • courage

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A perennial with about 250 native species centered in western North America to Mexico. The charming bell-shaped or tubular, plump flowers bloom in succession, resembling colorful tropical fish swimming in schools. Flower colors include white, red, pink, purple, and blue. Growing 30-80cm tall and 25-50cm wide, forms vary from upright to creeping types. Due to sensitivity to Japan's humid hot summers, some varieties are treated as autumn-sown annuals.

Trivia

  • Name combines Greek 'pente' (five) and 'stemon' (stamen)
  • Though having 4 actual stamens, named for prominent staminode
  • English name Beardtongue refers to the tongue-like staminode
  • About 250 native species exist with numerous cultivated varieties

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden planting (perennial flower beds)
  • Container gardening (terrace gardens)
  • Cut flowers (short-term enjoyment)
Medicinal
  • Native Americans used it as a cough remedy
  • Leaves used as poultices for wound treatment

Caution: Medicinal use should be under professional guidance

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Honey source plant (attracts bees and butterflies)
  • Ecosystem conservation (native species protection)

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported

Roof Iris
Japanese Roof Iris Wall Iris

Scientific Name: Iris tectorum
Family: Iridaceae

Flower Language

  • fire prevention
  • messenger

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A Chinese perennial of the iris family, blooming earliest among iris varieties, hence the name 'Ichihatsu' (first bloom). Flowering from late April to mid-May, the flowers reach about 10cm in diameter with purple-violet color. The outer perianth segments are obovate with rounded tips, while inner segments are smaller, both opening flat. Characteristic white crested projections emerge from the flower center, with dark purple spots scattered on outer segments and white crested protrusions from base to center. Historically planted densely on thatched roof ridges to secure and protect the roofing.

Trivia

  • Called 'Roof iris' in English
  • One of the most drought-tolerant species in the iris genus
  • White-flowered and variegated varieties exist
  • Roof planting tradition aimed at fire prevention and wind protection

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden planting (drought tolerant)
  • Container gardening (spring viewing)
  • Cut flowers (short-term enjoyment)
Medicinal
  • Rhizomes used as detoxifying agent in traditional Chinese medicine
  • External medicine for anti-inflammatory effects

Caution: Medicinal use should be under professional guidance

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Roofing material (traditional architecture)
  • Soil stabilization (slope protection)
  • Natural dye (blue-purple from rhizomes)

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: rhizomes

Symptoms: Ingestion of rhizomes may cause gastrointestinal discomfort or mild poisoning symptoms