August 01

Birth Flower

Star Lily
Morning Star Lily Light Grass

Scientific Name: Lilium concolor
Family: Liliaceae

Flower Language

  • sweetness
  • pride
  • unchanging loveliness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Hime-yuri is a perennial lily distributed in Japan, Korea, northeastern China, and the Amur region. Growing 30-100cm tall, it blooms orange star-shaped flowers 5-8cm in diameter from June to August. The flowers have spots in the center, and the petals, pollen, and stamens are all the same color. The scientific name 'concolor' means 'same color.' It is now designated as an endangered species, making wild specimens rare.

Trivia

  • Scientific name 'concolor' refers to petals, pollen, and stamens all being the same color
  • Can produce up to 10 flowers from a single stem
  • English name 'Star Lily' comes from the star-shaped opening of flowers
  • Designated as endangered species category IB

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden planting (rock gardens)
  • Potted plants
  • Cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Bulbs used in folk medicine as cough suppressant
  • Believed to have tonic effects

Caution: Wild specimens are protected and collection is prohibited

Culinary
  • Bulbs
Other
  • Used as parent stock for horticultural varieties
  • Indicator species for ecosystem conservation

Toxicity

Symptoms:

Alstroemeria
Peruvian Lily Lily of the Incas

Scientific Name: Alstroemeria aurea
Family: Alstroemeriaceae

Flower Language

  • mischievous thoughts
  • persistence
  • longing for the future
  • exotic

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Alstroemeria is a perennial native to the Andes Mountains of South America, with about 60 known species. It was introduced to Japan in 1926, gaining popularity since the mid-Meiji period. Flowering from May to July, it features characteristic striped patterns on petals and comes in rich colors including orange, pink, red, white, and yellow. Highly valued as cut flowers for their excellent vase life, they have the unique characteristic of leaves that twist at the base of the stem.

Trivia

  • Called the queen of cut flowers for its 7-14 day vase life
  • Has unique characteristic of leaves twisting 180 degrees at stem base
  • Can bloom multiple times per year from a single plant
  • One of the world's most popular cut flowers

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers (bouquets, arrangements)
  • Garden planting
  • Potted plants
Medicinal
  • No significant medicinal uses reported

Caution: No special precautions needed

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Sometimes used as dye
  • Being researched as fragrance material

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Tubers, Stems

Symptoms: May cause mild skin irritation

Four O'Clock
Marvel of Peru Beauty of the Night

Scientific Name: Mirabilis jalapa
Family: Nyctaginaceae

Flower Language

  • timidity
  • shyness
  • I doubt love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Four O'Clock is a perennial from South America, introduced to Japan in the early Edo period. It blooms from around 4 PM and closes the next morning, producing funnel-shaped flowers about 3cm in diameter. Flower colors include red, white, pink, yellow, and orange, with striped and variegated varieties. The seeds contain white powdery endosperm, which resembles face powder and gives the plant its Japanese name. The scientific name 'Mirabilis' means 'beautiful, wonderful.'

Trivia

  • Scientific name 'Mirabilis' means 'miraculous, wonderful' referring to the Marvel of Peru
  • Single plant can produce flowers of multiple colors
  • White powder from seeds was actually used as makeup powder
  • English name 'Four O'Clock' comes from its 4 PM blooming time

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden planting
  • Potted plants
  • Hedging
Medicinal
  • Roots used in folk medicine as diuretic
  • Leaves used externally for skin inflammation

Caution: Avoid internal use due to toxic compounds

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption (toxic)

Other
  • Children's play (white powder from seeds)
  • Sometimes used as natural dye

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: All parts, Especially roots and seeds

Symptoms: Ingestion may cause gastrointestinal symptoms and dermatitis

Miyama-yomena
Aster Savatieri Gymnaster

Scientific Name: Aster savatieri 'Miyakowasure'
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • farewell
  • brief respite
  • until we meet again
  • brief love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Miyakowasure is a horticultural variety of the Japan-native Miyama-yomena, cherished as a tea ceremony flower since the Edo period. Growing 20-70cm tall, it blooms 3-4cm diameter flowers from April to June. Flower colors range from deep purple to light purple, pink, and white. The name originates from a poem composed by Emperor Juntoku during his exile to Sado Island following the Jokyu War in the Kamakura period. The scientific name 'savatieri' honors French botanist Ludovic Savatier of the Meiji era.

Trivia

  • Scientific name 'savatieri' honors French botanist Dr. Savatier from the Meiji era
  • Traditional horticultural plant cultivated for over 300 years since the Edo period
  • Particularly valued as 'May flower' in tea ceremony world
  • Unique Japanese variety selected from wild Miyama-yomena

Uses

Ornamental
  • Tea ceremony flowers
  • Garden planting (shade gardens)
  • Potted plants
  • Cut flowers
Medicinal
  • No significant medicinal uses reported

Caution: No special precautions needed

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Subject in classical literature
  • Material for Japanese painting
  • Motif in traditional crafts

Toxicity

Symptoms:

Corn Poppy
Field Poppy Red Poppy Flanders Poppy

Scientific Name: Papaver rhoeas
Family: Papaveraceae

Flower Language

  • consolation
  • comfort
  • peace of mind

Characteristics

Colors: red

Description

Corn Poppy is an annual plant from the Papaveraceae family native to Europe, growing 30-80cm tall. Also called Shirley Poppy, it's associated with the Chinese legend of Yu Ji, beloved of the warlord Xiang Yu. Flowers are 5-6cm in diameter with 4 petals, and buds are covered with hairs and hang downward. While red is most common, white, pink, and orange varieties exist. This is a safe poppy containing no narcotic compounds and can be legally cultivated as an ornamental plant.

Trivia

  • After WWI, Britain started the tradition of wearing red poppies on November 11th for remembrance
  • Named after the legend of flowers blooming on Yu Ji's tomb
  • Safe poppy containing no narcotics, legally cultivated
  • Petals are very thin and easily scattered by wind, symbolizing transience

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden planting
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower bed color
  • Wildflower gardens
Medicinal
  • Petals used in folk medicine as cough suppressant
  • Believed to have sedative properties

Caution: Caution not to confuse with other Papaver species

Culinary
  • Petals
  • Seeds
Other
  • Used as natural dye
  • Dried flowers
  • Memorial day decorations

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Stems, Leaves, Roots

Symptoms: Large quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms