August 21

Birth Flower

Zinnia
Common Zinnia Elegant Zinnia Youth-and-Age

Scientific Name: Zinnia elegans
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • lasting friendship
  • happiness
  • thinking of distant friends
  • unchanging heart

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

An annual herb native to central Mexico, introduced to Japan in 1862. It belongs to the Asteraceae family and grows 30-90cm tall. Named for its long blooming period from summer to autumn, it produces beautiful flowers in various colors including red, pink, yellow, white, and orange, with both single and double-flowered varieties.

Trivia

  • Named after German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn (18th century)
  • Now commonly sold under the scientific name 'Zinnia'
  • Actually blooms for nearly 100 days, living up to its name
  • Heat and drought tolerant, ideal for beginner gardeners

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
  • Garden beds and border plantings
  • Container gardening for decoration
Medicinal
  • Not commonly used for medicinal purposes

Caution: No significant toxicity reported

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Dried flowers for long-term preservation
  • Seeds used as bird feed

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic

Browallia
Sapphire Flower Bush Violet Amethyst Flower

Scientific Name: Browallia speciosa
Family: Solanaceae

Flower Language

  • prayer
  • purity
  • you are charming

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Native to Central and South America, particularly tropical America, this Solanaceae plant blooms continuously from early summer until frost. It's versatile for use in flower beds, containers, and hanging baskets. Flowers come in purple, blue, and white with many varieties available. The flowers are characteristically asymmetrical, which gives it the Japanese name 'Rurimagaribana' (twisted lapis lazuli flower).

Trivia

  • Named after Swedish bishop and botanist Johannes Browallius
  • Japanese name 'Rurimagaribana' refers to asymmetrical flower shape
  • English name 'Sapphire Flower' comes from blue flower color
  • Birth flower for June 19, August 21, September 19, October 2, and October 24

Uses

Ornamental
  • Ornamental bedding plants
  • Container gardening
  • Hanging basket decoration
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used in folk medicine for cough relief

Caution: As a Solanaceae plant, avoid medicinal use without expert guidance

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption

Other
  • Cut flowers for short-term decoration
  • Nectar source for butterflies and bees

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: All parts, Especially seeds

Symptoms: Contains Solanaceae alkaloids that may cause gastrointestinal symptoms if ingested

Rose Moss
Portulaca Moss Rose Sun Plant

Scientific Name: Portulaca grandiflora
Family: Portulacaceae

Flower Language

  • innocence
  • lovely
  • endurance
  • gentleness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

An annual herb from South America, particularly Brazil and Argentina, belonging to the Portulacaceae family. Named for its needle-like leaves resembling pine needles and beautiful flowers like peonies. It has succulent stems and leaves, making it extremely resistant to heat and drought. Blooms from May to October in various colors including red, pink, yellow, orange, and white, with both single and double varieties. The flowers open on sunny days and are day-bloomers, opening in the morning and closing before noon.

Trivia

  • Nickname 'nail-cutting grass' comes from easy propagation by cutting stems with fingernails
  • Alternative name 'sun plant' refers to its love of strong summer sunlight
  • Though individual flowers last one day, continuous blooming provides long-lasting enjoyment
  • Birth flower for August 3, August 21, and November 5

Uses

Ornamental
  • Ground cover in flower beds
  • Rock garden decoration
  • Container and planter cultivation
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used in folk medicine for burn treatment

Caution: Avoid medical use due to insufficient scientific evidence

Culinary
  • Young leaves
  • Stems
Other
  • Used for greening in arid areas
  • Environmental improvement plant for rooftop gardens

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic and edible in small quantities

Cactus
Prickly Pear Desert Plant

Scientific Name: Cactaceae family
Family: Cactaceae

Flower Language

  • burning heart
  • greatness
  • undying love
  • warm heart

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A general term for succulent plants in the Cactaceae family, primarily native to North and South America and surrounding islands. They grow in harsh, dry environments like deserts and have the ability to store water in their bodies. The characteristic spines have woolly structures called 'areoles' at their base, which distinguish cacti from other succulents. Over 2000 varieties exist, and many species produce beautiful flowers.

Trivia

  • The name 'cactus' may derive from Portuguese 'sabão' (soap)
  • The largest cacti can exceed 20 meters in height
  • Some cacti can live for over 200 years
  • Birth flower for July 29 and December 10

Uses

Ornamental
  • Indoor houseplants for decoration
  • Rock gardens in landscaping
  • Miniature garden decorations
Medicinal
  • Some species have medicinal properties like aloe vera
  • Used in folk medicine for burns and wounds

Caution: Some species are toxic; medicinal use requires expert knowledge

Culinary
  • Prickly pear fruits
  • Stems of certain species
Other
  • Research as bioethanol source
  • Used as building materials in some regions

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Spines, Sap of certain species

Symptoms: Physical injury from spines, some species may cause dermatitis

Agrimony
Japanese Agrimony Hairy Agrimony Common Agrimony

Scientific Name: Agrimonia pilosa var. japonica
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • clinging on
  • gratitude
  • thankful heart

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A perennial herb of the Rosaceae family, native to mountains and roadsides throughout Japan. From summer to autumn, it produces dense clusters of yellow 5-petaled flowers on elongated spikes. The fruits that follow have a distinctive spiny shape that clings to animal fur and clothing for seed dispersal. The leaves are trifoliate with serrated edges and covered with soft hairs. Known medicinally as 'Ryugaso' (dragon's tooth grass), it has been used for treating diarrhea and as a hemostatic agent.

Trivia

  • Named for flower spikes resembling golden mizuhiki cords
  • Alternative name Ryugeso comes from Chinese name
  • Spiny seeds known as 'stickseeds' beloved by children
  • Birth flower for August 19 and August 21

Uses

Ornamental
  • Natural landscaping in wildflower gardens
  • Used in tea ceremony flower arrangements
  • Dried flower arrangements
Medicinal
  • Anti-diarrheal properties
  • Hemostatic effects
  • Diuretic properties
  • Anti-inflammatory effects

Caution: Avoid medicinal use without professional knowledge; consult healthcare providers

Culinary
  • Young leaves
  • Flowers
Other
  • Yellow dye extraction from flowers
  • Contributes to ecosystem as wildlife food source

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic and used medicinally, but avoid large quantities