August 03

Birth Flower

Montbretia
Crocosmia Coppertips Falling Stars

Scientific Name: Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora
Family: Iridaceae

Flower Language

  • Pleasant memories
  • Modest beauty
  • Elegance
  • Cheerfulness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Montbretia is a bulbous plant native to South Africa that was introduced to Japan during the Meiji period. Growing 60-100cm tall, it produces orange or red flowers in spike-like clusters from June to September. The trumpet-shaped flowers face downward and have six petals. It's a hardy plant that tolerates both drought and humidity, with a tendency to multiply easily.

Trivia

  • The scientific name Crocosmia means 'saffron scent' in Greek
  • Introduced to Japan during the Meiji period and now naturalized in some areas
  • Created by French botanist Lemoine as a horticultural variety
  • Sometimes called 'poor man's saffron' due to its saffron-like scent when dried

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Garden planting
  • Flower beds
  • Container cultivation
Medicinal
  • Dried flowers produce saffron-like fragrance when steeped in hot water
  • No specific medicinal properties known

Caution: No specific toxicity concerns, but avoid ingesting bulbs

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Flowers occasionally used for fragrance
  • Suitable for dried flower arrangements

Toxicity

Symptoms: No specific toxicity reported

Oleander
Rose Bay Common Oleander

Scientific Name: Nerium oleander var. indicum
Family: Apocynaceae

Flower Language

  • Strong spirit
  • Beware of danger
  • Dangerous love
  • Caution

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Oleander is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region and South Asia. It produces beautiful white, red, pink, or yellow flowers from June to September. The five-petaled flowers are frilled and fan-shaped. While it's commonly used as a street tree due to its tolerance to drought and air pollution, the entire plant contains highly toxic compounds including oleandrin, which is more potent than cyanide, requiring extreme caution in handling.

Trivia

  • Named by Chinese for leaves resembling bamboo and flowers resembling peach
  • Known as one of the first flowers to bloom in Hiroshima's atomic bomb-damaged soil
  • Cases of poisoning from using branches as barbecue fuel have been reported
  • Contains oleandrin, which is more toxic than potassium cyanide

Uses

Ornamental
  • Street trees
  • Park trees
  • Garden trees
  • Hedging
Medicinal
  • Traditionally used for heart conditions but no longer used due to toxicity

Caution: Highly toxic throughout, medical use is strictly prohibited. Should never be used without expert knowledge

Culinary

Absolutely not edible. Even using branches as chopsticks is dangerous

Other
  • Industrial area greening
  • Planting in heavily polluted areas

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Severe

Toxic Parts: Entire plant, Leaves, Flowers, Branches, Roots, Fruits, Surrounding soil

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, limb weakness, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, heart attack, convulsions. Can be fatal in severe cases

Calendula
Pot Marigold Common Marigold Scotch Marigold

Scientific Name: Calendula officinalis
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • Sorrow of parting
  • Loneliness
  • Grief
  • Disappointment

Characteristics

Colors: Yellow

Description

Calendula is an annual plant native to the Mediterranean region that produces bright yellow or orange flowers from December to May. Named for its golden cup-shaped flowers, it has the unique characteristic of opening in the morning and closing in the evening in response to sunlight, remaining closed on rainy days. It has been used as a herb since ancient times for treating skin problems and as a natural coloring agent.

Trivia

  • The scientific name Calendula is the origin of 'calendar', referring to its long blooming period
  • Treasured as a rejuvenation medicine in ancient Egypt
  • Used for love divination in medieval Europe
  • Called 'sun's bride' for its flowers following the sun's movement

Uses

Ornamental
  • Flower beds
  • Potted plants
  • Cut flowers
  • Herb gardens
Medicinal
  • Skin problem treatment
  • Acne treatment
  • Burn treatment
  • Anti-inflammatory effects

Caution: Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Those with allergies should use with caution

Culinary
  • Petals
  • Leaves
Other
  • Natural coloring agent
  • Cosmetic ingredient
  • Soap making material
  • Natural dye

Toxicity

Symptoms: Generally safe but avoid large quantities. Possible allergic reactions

Corn Poppy
Field Poppy Shirley Poppy Red Poppy

Scientific Name: Papaver rhoeas
Family: Papaveraceae

Flower Language

  • Compassion
  • Thoughtfulness
  • Premonition of love
  • Consolation
  • Oblivion

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Corn poppy is an annual plant native to Europe, also known as Shirley poppy. Growing 50cm to 1m tall, it produces 5-10cm diameter red or white flowers in early summer. Characterized by delicate, wrinkled petals resembling thin Japanese paper, the flowers create a beautiful scene swaying in the wind. The hairy buds initially face downward, then turn upward and split at the tip when blooming.

Trivia

  • Featured in Natsume Soseki's novel 'Gubijinso' (The Poppy)
  • Famous for being among the first flowers to bloom on WWI battlefields
  • Called 'corn poppy' in Europe where it's common in wheat fields
  • Legal to cultivate as it's different from opium-producing poppies

Uses

Ornamental
  • Flower beds
  • Wildflower gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Natural style gardens
Medicinal
  • Traditionally believed to have sedative properties
  • Not used for medical purposes today

Caution: Contains alkaloids, avoid medical use

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Seeds occasionally used for oil extraction
  • Petals used as natural dye

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Entire plant, Seeds

Symptoms: Possible mild alkaloid poisoning, but severe symptoms are rare