June 12

Birth Flower

Shrimp Plant
Mexican Shrimp Plant False Hop

Scientific Name: Justicia brandegeeana
Family: Acanthaceae

Flower Language

  • Ultimate beauty
  • Humorous
  • Unexpected encounter
  • Playful

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Beloperone (Shrimp Plant) is an evergreen shrub from the Acanthaceae family, native to Mexico. Scale-like recurved bracts connect to form a distinctive shrimp-like shape. Named from Greek 'belos' (arrow) and 'perone' (clasp), referring to how the two anthers at the stamen tips are connected by a band-like membrane forming an arrow shape. The bracts start white and gradually change to orange then reddish-brown, with small white flowers emerging from between them. It has year-round flowering capability and can be enjoyed continuously in warm regions.

Trivia

  • Former scientific name was Beloperone guttata
  • Bract color intensity varies with environmental conditions
  • Can bloom year-round indoors
  • Alternative name 'Shrimp Plant' comes from flower shape

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cultivation as indoor houseplant
  • Garden plant in warm regions
  • Use as cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Used as external medicine in Mexican folk remedies

Caution: Not currently used medicinally

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Tropical garden decoration
  • Flower arrangement material

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Stems

Symptoms: May cause skin irritation

Ginger Lily
White Ginger Butterfly Ginger Garland Flower

Scientific Name: Hedychium coronarium
Family: Zingiberaceae

Flower Language

  • I trust you
  • Trust
  • Rich heart
  • Beloved love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Ginger Lily is a perennial from the Zingiberaceae family, native to tropical Asia, India, Nepal, and Malaysia. In summer, it produces large, fluffy butterfly-like white flowers that contrast beautifully with broad, glossy green leaves. The flowers have a refreshing fragrance but wilt within a day. Growing 1-2m tall, it blooms continuously from August to late October. The entire plant has a ginger-like fragrance, but it is a different species from edible ginger.

Trivia

  • Completely different plant from edible ginger
  • Also called kukui in Hawaii
  • Flowers are most fragrant in the evening
  • Can overwinter outdoors in regions west of Kanto

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cultivation as decorative garden plant
  • Use as cut flowers
  • Tropical garden coloring
Medicinal
  • Digestive aid in Ayurveda
  • Anti-inflammatory effects in folk medicine

Caution: Not recommended for medicinal use as it's different from edible ginger

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Perfume ingredient
  • Material for religious decorations
  • Lei material

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic

Peace Lily
White Sails Spathe Flower

Scientific Name: Spathiphyllum wallisii
Family: Araceae

Flower Language

  • Elegant lady
  • Pure heart
  • Refreshing
  • Embracing love

Characteristics

Colors: White

Description

Spathiphyllum is an evergreen perennial from the Araceae family, native to tropical America. It features beautiful white sail-like spathes with yellow spadix in the center. The contrast between glossy green leaves and white flowers is elegant, making it very popular as an indoor houseplant. It has relatively good shade tolerance and can grow in bright indoor shade. Under proper conditions, it blooms several times a year and is said to have air-purifying effects.

Trivia

  • Air-purifying effects recognized by NASA research
  • The white 'flower' is actually a modified leaf called a spathe
  • Can bloom year-round under proper conditions
  • National flower of Colombia

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cultivation as indoor houseplant
  • Office decorative plant
  • Use as air-purifying plant
Medicinal
  • Said to have air-purifying effects

Caution: Toxic plant, hand washing required after contact

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • NASA-certified air-purifying plant
  • Interior design material

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Stems, Sap

Symptoms: May cause oral inflammation, airway obstruction, neurological symptoms, and convulsions