August 24

Birth Flower

Hibiscus
Chinese hibiscus Rose of China Hawaiian hibiscus

Scientific Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Family: Malvaceae

Flower Language

  • delicate beauty
  • new love
  • brave
  • gorgeous
  • graceful beauty

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Hibiscus is a typical tropical flower famous as Hawaii's state flower. Generally speaking, hibiscus refers to hybrids of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and other species. It is a day flower that wilts the same day it blooms, but continues to produce new buds and bloom new flowers one after another. It has abundant color variations including red, yellow, white, pink, orange, purple, and multicolored, and the flower sizes range from small to large with countless varieties.

Trivia

  • Hawaiian tradition says wearing hibiscus behind the right ear means 'single and looking', left ear means 'taken'
  • The world's largest hibiscus flowers can exceed 30 centimeters in diameter
  • Though a day flower, one plant can produce hundreds of flowers annually
  • Hibiscus tea is considered highly beneficial for beauty and is rich in vitamin C

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers for vase decoration
  • Garden planting for tropical-style gardens
  • Potted plants for balconies and terraces
Medicinal
  • Flowers used as herbal tea (Roselle species)
  • Leaves used in folk medicine for wound treatment

Caution: Caution needed as some common hibiscus varieties are not suitable for consumption

Culinary
  • Flowers (specific varieties only)
  • Seeds (for oil production)
Other
  • Material for lei (flower necklaces)
  • Decorative hair ornaments
  • Red dye extraction

Toxicity

Symptoms:

Montbretia
Crocosmia Coppertips Falling stars

Scientific Name: Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora
Family: Iridaceae

Flower Language

  • modest beauty
  • wonderful memories
  • cheerfulness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Montbretia is a horticultural hybrid created in France in 1879 and imported to Japan in the mid-Meiji period. It is extremely hardy and has naturalized in Japan, forming colonies that can be found everywhere from seaside to highland areas. It blooms bright orange daffodil-like flowers in summer with good keeping quality - cut flowers at about half-bloom stage can be enjoyed for 10 days. It is a robust, drought-tolerant bulb plant that also tolerates humidity and multiplies easily.

Trivia

  • Named after French botanist Montbret, a prominent 19th century researcher
  • Has naturalized extensively in Japan and now grows wild throughout the country
  • Sometimes called 'false saffron' due to its saffron-like flower fragrance
  • Highly valued by professional florists for its exceptional vase life

Uses

Ornamental
  • Long-lasting cut flowers for vases
  • Garden planting for summer flower beds
  • Potted bulb cultivation
Medicinal
  • No common medicinal uses

Caution: No particular toxicity concerns but not for consumption

Culinary

Not for consumption

Other
  • Dried flower arrangements
  • Fragrant dried flower material

Toxicity

Symptoms:

Flower okra
Sunset hibiscus Abelmoschus Edible hibiscus

Scientific Name: Abelmoschus manihot
Family: Malvaceae

Flower Language

  • I believe in you
  • orderly love
  • secret love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Tororo-aoi is a plant of the Abelmoschus genus in the Malvaceae family, native to China, also known as Flower Okra. It blooms from summer to autumn (August-September) with pale yellow to whitish flowers marked with vivid deep purple patterns at the petal centers. The flowers are about 10 centimeters in diameter, nearly twice the size of okra flowers. It's a day flower that blooms in the morning, wilts in the evening, and falls to the ground at night. The stem grows 1-2 meters tall with long-stalked leaves divided palmately into 5-9 lobes.

Trivia

  • Similar to okra flowers but distinguishable by leaf shape - tororo-aoi has narrower leaf segments
  • Root mucilage essential for Japanese paper making, with higher quality papers using better tororo-aoi glue
  • Recently gaining attention as edible flower, now used in restaurants
  • Though a day flower, extremely beautiful for a few morning hours and popular for photography

Uses

Ornamental
  • Ornamental cultivation for beautiful large flowers
  • Morning garden decoration as day flower
  • Cultivation in edible gardens
Medicinal
  • Roots effective for gastritis and cough suppression
  • Used as herbal medicine called Oushokki-kon
  • Leaves and seeds also used as medicinal parts

Caution: Professional knowledge required for medicinal use

Culinary
  • Flowers
Other
  • Raw material for Japanese paper making glue
  • Root mucilage used in paper production
  • Important material for traditional crafts

Toxicity

Symptoms: