July 18

Birth Flower

Queen of the night
Night-blooming cereus Lady of the night Dutchman's pipe cactus

Scientific Name: Epiphyllum oxypetalum
Family: Cactaceae

Flower Language

  • Once in a lifetime love
  • Ephemeral beauty
  • Fleeting love
  • Hidden passion

Characteristics

Colors: white

Description

Queen of the night is a succulent in the cactus family native to Mexico's tropical rainforests, famous for its beautiful white flowers that bloom for just one night. It begins emitting strong fragrance in the evening, starts blooming around 8 PM, and wilts by 3-4 AM before dawn. The flowers can reach 25cm in diameter with distinctive pure white petals and long stamens. The Japanese name originated when Emperor Hirohito, as crown prince, saw it in Taiwan and it was described as 'a beauty under the moonlight.' It may bloom 2-4 times per year and is beloved by many enthusiasts for its mystical beauty.

Trivia

  • Japanese name originated when Emperor Hirohito as crown prince called it 'beauty under the moon' in Taiwan
  • The belief it blooms once yearly is a myth - it actually blooms 2-4 times per year
  • Blooming is not connected to lunar phases
  • Flowers can reach 25cm in diameter and emit strong fragrance

Uses

Ornamental
  • Indoor ornamental plants
  • Greenhouse cultivation
  • Collector plants
  • Nighttime gardens
Medicinal
  • Traditional medicinal use in Central and South America

Caution: Consult professionals for medicinal use

Culinary
  • Flowers
  • Young stems
Other
  • Fragrance ingredient
  • Photography subject
  • Educational plant

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic

Crape myrtle
Crepe myrtle Pride of India Queen's flower

Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia indica
Family: Lythraceae

Flower Language

  • I believe in you
  • Eloquence
  • Charm
  • Carelessness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Crape myrtle is a deciduous tree in the loosestrife family native to southern China, known for its long blooming period of over 100 days from July to October, true to its name 'hundred-day red.' Flowers bloom successively at the tips of new branches in colors including red, pink, white, and purple. The bark, once shed, reveals smooth white skin so slippery that even monkeys would slide off, hence the Japanese name 'monkey-slip tree.' Heat-tolerant and widely planted as street and park trees. A Korean legend tells of flowers that bloomed for 100 days on a girl's grave as she waited faithfully for a prince's return, giving rise to the flower language 'I believe in you.'

Trivia

  • Named for smooth bark so slippery that 'even monkeys would slip and fall'
  • Chinese name '百日紅' means 'hundred-day red' for its 100+ day blooming
  • Continuous blooming possible as flowers successively bloom on new branch tips
  • Heat-tolerant, blooming beautifully when other flowers are scarce in summer

Uses

Ornamental
  • Street trees
  • Park trees
  • Garden trees
  • Hedging
Medicinal
  • Bark and roots traditionally used medicinally in China

Caution: Consult professionals for medicinal use

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Timber (furniture, construction)
  • Urban greening
  • Nectar source
  • Environmental purification

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic

Verbena
Vervain Slender vervain Garden verbena

Scientific Name: Verbena bonariensis
Family: Verbenaceae

Flower Language

  • Family love
  • Charm
  • Magic power
  • Unity
  • Please pray for me
  • Family harmony

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Verbena is a plant in the verbena family native to North and South America, with about 250 wild species existing. Small flowers cluster densely to form ball-like shapes, and because the flower shape resembles cherry blossoms, it's also called 'beautiful woman cherry.' It blooms in pink, white, red, purple and other colors for a long period from April to November, thriving even in midsummer heat. The scientific name Verbena means 'sacred flower' and has been treasured since ancient times as a plant with religious significance. Both annual and perennial types exist, with both upright and creeping growth habits. Extremely heat-tolerant and popular as an easy flower for beginners.

Trivia

  • Scientific name Verbena means 'sacred flower' in Latin
  • Called 'beautiful woman cherry' for flower shape resembling cherry blossoms
  • Large plant group with about 250 wild species existing
  • Used for protection against evil and religious ceremonies since ancient times

Uses

Ornamental
  • Bedding plants
  • Mixed plantings
  • Ground cover
  • Cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Traditional herbal tea use in Europe
  • Sedative effects

Caution: Consult professionals for medicinal use

Culinary
  • Leaves
  • Flowers
Other
  • Nectar source
  • Butterfly host plant
  • Religious ceremonies
  • Potpourri

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic