June 08

Birth Flower

White Lace Flower
Orlaya Large-flower Orlaya

Scientific Name: Orlaya grandiflora
Family: Apiaceae

Flower Language

  • elegant refinement
  • lovely heart
  • tranquility
  • delicate love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A plant from the Apiaceae family native to Mediterranean Europe, producing delicate white lace-like flowers with a pure, natural charm. The name 'Lace Flower' is Japanese-English, derived from the lace-like appearance of the white flowers. Growing 60cm-1m tall, blooming from April to June, with strong cold tolerance but weak heat tolerance. While perennial in its native habitat, it's enjoyed as a spring annual in Japan due to difficulty surviving summer heat. The delicate white lace-like flowers harmonize with plants of any color, making them valuable in gardens and flower beds, and popular as underplanting for roses.

Trivia

  • 'Lace Flower' is Japanese-English; proper English name is White lace flower
  • Long blooming period with good flower production for extended spring to early summer enjoyment
  • Popular as rose underplanting, especially beautiful with white roses
  • Easy to grow from seed and may self-seed

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden planting (natural gardens)
  • Cut flowers (bouquets and arrangements)
  • Container gardening (spring viewing)
Medicinal
  • Used for minor wound treatment in traditional European medicine

Caution: Medicinal use should be under professional guidance

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Dried flowers (long-term preservation)
  • Bridal decoration
  • Flower arrangement materials

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported

Fringed Iris
Shaga Butterfly Flower

Scientific Name: Iris japonica
Family: Iridaceae

Flower Language

  • acknowledge me
  • rebellion
  • having many friends

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Though the scientific name includes 'japonica,' it may have been introduced from China in ancient times. Growing 50-60cm tall with glossy green, laterally flattened leaves. Blooms April-May with whitish-purple iris-like flowers about 5cm in diameter. Outer perianth segments have orange spots and crested projections surrounded by blue-purple markings. Japanese specimens are triploid, reproducing only through rhizomes without setting seed. Prefers partial to bright shade, very hardy with excellent moisture and shade tolerance.

Trivia

  • Unusual case of Chinese origin despite 'japonica' in scientific name
  • All propagation in Japan is vegetative due to inability to set seed
  • Uniquely evergreen among iris family members, remaining green through winter
  • Also called 'butterfly flower' due to flower shape resembling butterflies

Uses

Ornamental
  • Shade gardens
  • Ground cover
  • Tea ceremony flowers
Medicinal
  • Rhizomes used as detoxifying agent in traditional Chinese medicine
  • Folk medicine uses for anti-inflammatory effects

Caution: Medicinal use should be under professional guidance

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Ecosystem conservation (as forest floor plant)
  • Environmental education (naturalized plant studies)

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: rhizomes

Symptoms: Ingestion of rhizomes may cause mild gastrointestinal upset

Southern Magnolia
Bull Bay Large-flower Magnolia

Scientific Name: Magnolia grandiflora
Family: Magnoliaceae

Flower Language

  • bright future
  • dignity

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

An evergreen tree from the Magnoliaceae family native to southeastern North America, sometimes reaching 20 meters in height. Blooms from late May to early July with large, bowl-shaped white flowers 10-25cm in diameter facing upward. Flowers consist of 9 white perianth segments with fragrance. Leaves are 10-25cm long and 5-12cm wide, oblong-elliptic with glossy deep green upper surface and brown reverse. Thick, hard leaves retain their gloss through winter, resistant to salt spray and air pollution with fire resistance, making them suitable for urban parks. Introduced to Japan in early Meiji period and now cultivated in parks and gardens nationwide.

Trivia

  • Name derived from likening flower shape to a large sake cup 'taihai'
  • Perfume 'magnolia' refers specifically to this Southern Magnolia
  • Leaves circulate in floriculture trade as 'magnolia leaf'
  • Having one in the garden is considered prestigious in the American South

Uses

Ornamental
  • Park trees (specimen trees)
  • Garden trees (Western-style gardens)
  • Street trees (main roads)
Medicinal
  • Native Americans used bark as medicinal herbs
  • Used as cough remedy in folk medicine

Caution: Medicinal use should be under professional guidance

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Perfume ingredient (magnolia fragrance)
  • Cut foliage (magnolia leaf)
  • Timber (furniture material)

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported

Black Locust
False Acacia Robinia

Scientific Name: Robinia pseudoacacia
Family: Fabaceae

Flower Language

  • friendship
  • fellowship
  • elegance
  • reliable person
  • love stronger than death

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A deciduous tree from the Fabaceae family native to North America, with the standard Japanese name Harienyu (needle locust), though Nise-akashia (false acacia) is better known. Introduced to Japan in 1873. Blooms May-June with drooping racemes of fragrant white flowers. Named Harienyu for thorns at leaf bases. Extremely fast-growing, thriving even in poor soil with excellent coppicing ability. Important honey plant used for street trees, park trees, erosion control planting, and timber for tools. Buds, flowers, and young shoots are edible - in Hokkaido, flower clusters are eaten as tempura or salad, while young shoots are prepared as dressed dishes or stir-fried.

Trivia

  • Acacia honey actually comes from this False Acacia
  • 44% of Japan's 2005 honey production came from False Acacia
  • Timber is extremely hard, once used for ship construction
  • Shallow-rooted and prone to wind damage

Uses

Ornamental
  • Street trees (rapid greening)
  • Park trees (shade creation)
  • Erosion control planting (soil stabilization)
Medicinal
  • Native Americans used bark as medicinal herbs

Caution: Medicinal use prohibited due to toxicity in leaves, fruits, and bark

Culinary
  • flower clusters
  • young shoots
  • buds
Other
  • Honey production (acacia honey)
  • Timber (furniture and tools)
  • Soil improvement (nitrogen fixation by root nodules)

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: leaves, fruits, bark

Symptoms: Ingestion of these parts may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain

Jasmine
Common Jasmine Poet's Jasmine

Scientific Name: Jasminum officinale
Family: Oleaceae

Flower Language

  • amiability
  • gracefulness
  • loveliness
  • sensuality

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

A climbing shrub from the Oleaceae family native to Southwest Asia. Blooms from June to October with star-shaped white flowers, releasing especially strong sweet fragrance at night. Flowers have 5 petals and are 2-3cm in diameter. Climbing habit, growing by twining around other plants or structures, reaching 3-4m in height. Extremely fragrant, cultivated worldwide as source for perfumes and aromatic oils. In Japan, outdoor cultivation possible from Kanto region westward, though somewhat cold-sensitive, preferring sunny locations. Fragrance intensifies from evening through night, earning the nickname 'Queen of the Night.'

Trivia

  • Jasmine tea fragrance primarily comes from this flower
  • About 8 million flowers needed to produce 1kg of essential oil
  • Nighttime fragrance intensification attracts nocturnal insects
  • Jasmine was used in perfumes favored by Cleopatra

Uses

Ornamental
  • Training on arches and fences
  • Fragrance gardening
  • Cut flowers (short-lived but fragrant)
Medicinal
  • Aromatherapy (relaxation effects)
  • Used as nerve sedative in traditional medicine
  • Considered effective for insomnia improvement

Caution: Avoid use during pregnancy

Culinary
  • flowers
Other
  • Perfume ingredient (highest grade)
  • Aromatic oils
  • Cosmetic fragrances

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported