September 03

Birth Flower

Cockscomb
Celosia Wool Flower Red Fox

Scientific Name: Celosia argentea
Family: Amaranthaceae

Flower Language

  • unfading love
  • fashion
  • individuality
  • peculiarity

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Celosia is an annual plant native to tropical Asia that was introduced to Japan from China during the Nara period. The scientific name Celosia derives from the Greek word meaning 'burning,' named for its flame-like appearance. Called 'cockscomb' due to its resemblance to a rooster's comb, it appears in the Manyoshu as 'Korean indigo.' While now primarily ornamental, it was historically used for dyeing, food, and medicine.

Trivia

  • Mentioned as 'Korean indigo' in the Manyoshu poetry collection
  • Cultivated as food crop until the Edo period
  • Scientific name derives from Greek word meaning 'burning'
  • Retains color well when dried, making excellent dried flowers

Uses

Ornamental
  • Autumn flower beds
  • Cut flowers
  • Dried flowers
Medicinal
  • Antipyretic effects (whole plant of wild species)
  • Hemostatic effects
  • Insecticidal properties

Caution: Avoid self-medication without professional guidance

Culinary
  • young leaves
  • flowers
Other
  • Natural dye (red colors)
  • Seeds used as health food
  • Ornamental dried flowers

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic (safe for pets)

Cosmos
Mexican Aster Garden Cosmos

Scientific Name: Cosmos bipinnatus
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • harmony
  • maiden's sincerity
  • modesty
  • elegance
  • maiden's love
  • maiden's purity

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Cosmos, scientifically named Cosmos bipinnatus, is an annual plant of the Asteraceae family native to regions above 1600m altitude in Mexico. The name 'cosmos' derives from Greek words meaning 'universe' or 'order,' referring to the orderly, beautiful arrangement of its petals. Introduced to Japan during the Meiji period, it's affectionately called 'akizakura' (autumn cherry). Flower colors include pink, white, red, yellow, and orange, with blooming forms ranging from single to double flowers. With seeds containing 30% oil content, it has practical value beyond ornamental use.

Trivia

  • First brought to Japan by an art school teacher during Meiji period
  • Became beloved by Japanese through Yamaguchi Momoe's song 'Cosmos'
  • Despite meaning 'universe,' actually cultivated in space experiments
  • Seeds contain 30% oil, attracting attention as biofuel source

Uses

Ornamental
  • Autumn flower beds
  • Cut flowers
  • Wildflower gardens
Medicinal
  • Traditional use for fever reduction
  • Contains antioxidant compounds

Caution: Medicinal use should be under professional guidance

Culinary
  • flowers
  • young leaves
Other
  • Edible oil extraction from seeds
  • Used as animal feed
  • Soap making material

Toxicity

Symptoms: Non-toxic

Caladium
Angel Wings Elephant Ear Heart of Jesus

Scientific Name: Caladium bicolor
Family: Araceae

Flower Language

  • joy
  • freshness

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Caladium is a perennial bulbous plant of the Araceae family native to the Amazon River basin in South America. Its greatest attraction is the beautiful variegated leaves with colorful patterns in white, red, pink, and green. Preferring hot and humid summers, it's popular for indoor decoration and summer gardens for its cool atmosphere. Being cold-sensitive, it drops leaves in winter and overwinters as bulbs. While enjoyed as a foliage plant, it requires careful handling due to calcium oxalate content typical of the Araceae family.

Trivia

  • Brought to Europe in 18th century, beginning greenhouse cultivation
  • Called 'Angel Wings' for its beautiful leaves
  • Over 1000 horticultural varieties now exist
  • NASA research shows indoor air purification effects

Uses

Ornamental
  • Indoor foliage plants
  • Summer flower beds
  • Hanging baskets
Medicinal
  • Sometimes used in traditional medicine for skin conditions

Caution: Contains calcium oxalate; self-medication is dangerous

Culinary

Not edible (harmful)

Other
  • Breeding material for horticultural varieties
  • Display use in tropical botanical gardens

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Moderate

Toxic Parts: all parts, especially bulbs

Symptoms: May cause oral and throat inflammation, difficulty swallowing, and dermatitis

Marguerite
Paris Daisy Canary Island Daisy

Scientific Name: Argyranthemum frutescens
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • love divination
  • secret love
  • chastity
  • trust
  • true love
  • secret love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Marguerite is a semi-hardy perennial of the Asteraceae family native to Spain's Canary Islands. The scientific name Argyranthemum means 'silver flower,' and the name derives from the Greek word 'Margarites' meaning 'pearl,' referring to the pearl-like beauty of its pure white petals. It reached Europe in the late 17th century and was introduced to Japan in the late Meiji period. Famous as the flower for love divination, plucking petals while saying 'loves me, loves me not,' the pure white single-flowered type is most common, but various colors and flower forms now exist.

Trivia

  • Name derives from Greek word meaning 'pearl'
  • Love divination origins traced to medieval Europe
  • 24 species of Argyranthemum genus native to Canary Islands
  • Considered good luck charm for 'not falling = passing exams' as flowers don't fall naturally

Uses

Ornamental
  • Flower beds
  • Potted plants
  • Cut flowers
Medicinal
  • Used in European folk medicine for skin conditions

Caution: Avoid self-medication without professional guidance

Culinary
  • flowers
  • young leaves
Other
  • Perfume ingredient
  • Dried flowers
  • Breeding material for horticultural varieties

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: leaves, stems

Symptoms: May cause mild gastrointestinal upset if consumed in large quantities