July 15

Birth Flower

Canna
Canna Lily Indian Shot African Arrowroot

Scientific Name: Canna indica
Family: Cannaceae

Flower Language

  • Respect
  • Passion
  • Cheerfulness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Canna is a perennial plant in the Cannaceae family native to tropical America, cultivated as a spring-planted bulb. Characterized by large leaves and vibrant red, yellow, and orange flowers, it's extremely tolerant of summer heat. One of the first flowers brought to Europe through Columbus's discovery of America, it came to Japan during the Edo period. What appears to be petals are actually modified stamens, with the true flowers being small and inconspicuous. Recently gaining popularity as a colorful foliage plant.

Trivia

  • Scientific name Canna means 'reed' in Greek, referring to similar plant form
  • What appears as petals are actually modified stamens
  • Seeds are extremely hard and were once used as shotgun pellets
  • Typical tropical plant that grows more vigorously in higher temperatures

Uses

Ornamental
  • Flower beds
  • Container gardening
  • Tropical gardens
  • Colorful foliage plants
Medicinal
  • Rhizomes occasionally used in folk medicine but not commonly

Caution: Medicinal use of ornamental varieties is not recommended

Culinary
  • Rhizomes (certain species only)
Other
  • Fiber source
  • Starch source
  • Nectar source for butterflies and birds

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic

Isotoma
Laurentia Star Flower Blue Star

Scientific Name: Isotoma axillaris
Family: Campanulaceae

Flower Language

  • Sacred memories
  • Opening the heart
  • Good news

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Isotoma is an annual plant (originally perennial) in the Campanulaceae family native to Australia and New Zealand. It produces distinctive flowers where tubular blooms split into five equal parts forming stars. From July to October, it continuously blooms blue-purple, navy, white, or pale pink flowers throughout the plant. The scientific name means 'equal segments,' referring to the uniform flower splitting. Originally perennial but treated as annual in Japan due to cold sensitivity.

Trivia

  • Scientific name Isotoma means 'equal segments,' referring to uniform flower splitting
  • Previously classified in Laurentia genus, still called by this name
  • White sap from stems and leaves is toxic and can cause blindness if it enters eyes
  • Originally perennial but treated as annual in Japan due to cold sensitivity

Uses

Ornamental
  • Flower beds
  • Container gardening
  • Hanging baskets
  • Ground cover
Medicinal
  • No medicinal uses

Caution: Toxic plant - absolutely avoid medicinal or culinary use

Culinary

Toxic, not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Nectar source for butterflies and bees
  • Pressed flowers
  • Educational plant (about toxicity)

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Severe

Toxic Parts: White sap from stems and leaves contains toxins

Symptoms: Causes dermatitis, risk of blindness if it enters eyes

Fringed Pink
Wild Pink Deptford Pink Maiden Pink

Scientific Name: Dianthus superbus
Family: Caryophyllaceae

Flower Language

  • Yamato nadeshiko
  • Lovely
  • Pure love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Fringed Pink is a perennial plant in the Caryophyllaceae family distributed from Japan to East Asia, one of the seven flowers of autumn. Growing wild in riverbanks and grasslands, it blooms beautiful pale pink flowers from July to October. Characterized by finely fringed petal tips, this delicate beauty gave rise to the name 'nadeshiko' (caressing child). The flower that became the source of 'Yamato nadeshiko' representing Japanese feminine virtues, appearing in many classical literature including the Manyoshu.

Trivia

  • Featured in 26 poems in Manyoshu and 17 in Kokin Wakashu
  • Finely fringed petal tips are this flower's most distinctive feature
  • Source of the term 'Yamato nadeshiko,' symbolizing Japanese women
  • Only flower among the seven autumn flowers still commonly seen wild today

Uses

Ornamental
  • Wildflower gardens
  • Rock gardens
  • Natural gardens
  • Cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Traditionally believed to have diuretic properties in folk medicine, but not used today

Caution: Medicinal use is not recommended today

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Pressed flowers
  • Wildflower observation
  • Cultural education

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic

Pink Rose
Rose Garden Rose Pink Hybrid Tea Rose

Scientific Name: Rosa hybrida
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • Gracefulness
  • Elegance
  • Gratitude

Characteristics

Colors: Pink

Description

Pink roses are deciduous shrubs in the Rosaceae family, the 'Queen of Flowers' beloved by humanity for thousands of years. Through breeding from wild species, tens of thousands of varieties now exist. Pink roses are particularly cherished for expressing elegance, grace, and gratitude. With rich fragrance and diverse flower forms, sizes, and blooming styles, they're enjoyed from garden roses to English roses in various styles.

Trivia

  • Over 30,000 rose varieties are said to exist
  • Pink roses have different flower languages depending on shade intensity
  • Records show cultivation in ancient Persia
  • Famous for Napoleon's wife Josephine's passion for rose breeding

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden planting
  • Cut flowers
  • Bridal decorations
  • Arch and fence decoration
Medicinal
  • Rose hips used as vitamin C source

Caution: Medicinal use of ornamental varieties is not recommended

Culinary
  • Petals
  • Rose hips
Other
  • Perfume ingredient
  • Rose oil
  • Cosmetic ingredient
  • Aromatherapy

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic (beware of thorn injuries)