July 12

Birth Flower

Passion Flower
Blue Passion Flower Common Passion Vine Maypop

Scientific Name: Passiflora caerulea
Family: Passifloraceae

Flower Language

  • Sacred love
  • Faith
  • Religious faith

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Passion flower is a perennial climbing vine native to the Americas in the Passifloraceae family. Called 'clock plant' in Japanese due to its clock-like flower appearance. The English name 'Passion Flower' means 'flower of Christ's passion,' with each part of the flower symbolizing aspects of Christ's crucifixion. It produces long vines reaching up to 10 meters and complex, beautiful structured flowers. Famous as a medicinal plant with sedative and anti-anxiety properties, earning it the nickname 'nature's tranquilizer.'

Trivia

  • Each flower part symbolizes Christ's passion - stamens represent the cross, tendrils the whips
  • Some species produce the fruit known as passion fruit
  • Medicinally called 'natural valium' for its strong sedative effects
  • Day-blooming flowers that open in morning and close by evening

Uses

Ornamental
  • Climbing vine for arches and fence decoration
  • Houseplant
  • Cut flowers
  • Garden landscaping
Medicinal
  • Sedative effects
  • Anti-anxiety properties
  • Insomnia treatment
  • Nervous headache relief

Caution: Consult healthcare provider during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Culinary
  • Fruit (passion fruit)
  • Young leaves
Other
  • Herbal tea
  • Dietary supplements
  • Natural therapy

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves and stems contain trace amounts of alkaloids

Symptoms: Safe when used appropriately, but avoid large amounts

Nicotiana
Flowering Tobacco Tobacco Plant Ornamental Tobacco

Scientific Name: Nicotiana alata
Family: Solanaceae

Flower Language

  • I like solitude
  • Not lonely with you
  • Secret love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Nicotiana is an annual plant in the Solanaceae family, native to America, Oceania, and Africa, also known as flowering tobacco. While related to tobacco, ornamental varieties have been developed with minimal nicotine content. It blooms continuously from May to October, producing star-shaped flowers in diverse colors including white, red, pink, purple, and green. Particularly fragrant in evening and night hours, it's popular as a night-scented garden flower. Plant height varies from 20cm to over 1m depending on variety.

Trivia

  • Named after Jean Nicot, who introduced tobacco to France in the 16th century
  • Evening fragrance intensifies to attract nocturnal moths
  • Ornamental varieties became available for general cultivation after tobacco monopoly privatization
  • Over 50 varieties exist, from tobacco crop varieties to ornamental types

Uses

Ornamental
  • Flower beds
  • Container gardening
  • Evening fragrance gardens
  • Border gardens
Medicinal
  • Ornamental varieties have no medicinal properties

Caution: For ornamental purposes only, not for culinary or medicinal use

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Fragrant gardening
  • Nectar source for moths and butterflies
  • Cut flowers

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: Whole plant contains trace amounts of nicotine

Symptoms: Large amounts may cause gastrointestinal disturbances and headaches

Lisianthus
Eustoma Texas Bluebell Prairie Gentian

Scientific Name: Eustoma grandiflorum
Family: Gentianaceae

Flower Language

  • Refreshing beauty
  • Pleasant conversation
  • Hope
  • Elegance

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Lisianthus is a perennial plant (treated as annual in Japan) in the gentian family, native to southwestern North America to Mexico. Despite its name suggesting Turkish origin, it's not from Turkey. Named because flower buds resemble Turkish turbans and flowers resemble bellflowers. With rose-like elegant flower forms and rich colors, over 300 varieties now exist. Extensive breeding in Japan has produced world-class cut flowers that are exported internationally.

Trivia

  • Most advanced breeding occurs in Japan, with many world varieties being Japanese-developed
  • Excellent vase life, lasting over a week as cut flowers
  • Scientific name Eustoma means 'good mouth,' referring to flower shape
  • Rapid variety expansion began in the 1970s with the introduction of pink varieties

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Bridal bouquets
  • Floral arrangements
  • Potted plants
Medicinal
  • No medicinal uses

Caution: For ornamental purposes only, not for medicinal use

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Pressed flowers
  • Dried arrangements
  • Premium gifts

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic

Yarrow
Common Yarrow Milfoil Achillea

Scientific Name: Achillea millefolium
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • Battle
  • Bravery
  • Healing

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Yarrow is a perennial plant in the Asteraceae family native to Europe, named for its deeply serrated leaves resembling saw teeth. It blooms small white, yellow, or pink flowers in corymbs from June to September. The scientific name Achillea comes from Greek mythology where Achilles used it to heal soldiers' wounds in the Trojan War. Long used worldwide as a medicinal herb for hemostatic and anti-inflammatory properties, also called 'soldier's wound herb.' Now naturalized and distributed worldwide.

Trivia

  • Scientific name Achillea derives from hero Achilles, called 'warrior's herb'
  • What appears as one flower is actually a collection of many tiny flowers
  • Vigorous spreader that returns to the same location annually once established
  • Crushed leaves have distinctive fragrance with insect-repelling properties

Uses

Ornamental
  • Wildflower gardens
  • Natural gardens
  • Dried flowers
  • Cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Hemostatic effects
  • Anti-inflammatory properties
  • Wound healing promotion
  • Digestive aid

Caution: Avoid during pregnancy, caution for those with allergies

Culinary
  • Young leaves
  • Flowers
Other
  • Natural insect repellent
  • Companion planting
  • Natural dye

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Whole plant contains alkaloids

Symptoms: Large amounts may cause gastrointestinal disturbances or allergic reactions